Each time I change of job, my mind thinks ... "just can't wait to meet all that good people out there." It's the best way for each fresh start in a new place. The beginnings are difficult, yes, of course they are! But there are good people everywhere, so nothing happens in deed: everything will be fine. You have to believe in the process.
Unfortunately, it is believed that the good people never achieves management positions. Ain't bosses nice. Big mistake. What makes the bosses ogres are our prejudices, our idea of what all of them are: selfish, smug, despots, tyrants ... a paragon of virtue. They have no clue about leadership or motivation, they haven't any idea about how carrying a team. Even you could do better with a pencil up your nose. A monkey could! They never speak properly/ listen to their employees. They don't care about us. They do not understand that we have a life, a family, hobbies. They don't know what it is to have friends, it seems.
We've all heard similar barbarities. They are common, toxic and far from the truth (the 90% of the time).
The truth is that not all leaders are bad. Perhaps the core of this problem is reduced to two misunderstandings: One, it's very possible that the boss was not promoted through all the different ranks up to the management one, so it's highly probable that he doesn't know the business very well (but as you know, that's just a matter of time). And two, the bosses sometimes just miss the point of view of the employee.
That is, each one has its own responsibilities... but wherever your area is, you would have to try being the best in what you do. I don't care if it's stacking boxes or doing surgery. That is the excellence-way of living.
In these simplistic and topical chiefs images, we can't forget the most important one: it's the feeling of absolute cronyism, promoting to the less suitable person for the job (always under our own point of view). In this point, there are two words that maybe you have never heard before, but that's certainly not helping you in making progress in your career: the "glass ceiling".
The glass ceiling is a metaphor, of course, but refers to a barrier, a limit, which can not be seen or touched but that exists, separating yourself from the place to which you aspire and that is being given to others (people you don't know, sometimes!).
Women know very well what the crystal ceiling is about, because until a few years ago the vast majority of managers were men. Today, although still mostly are men, much more women are in management positions (however, the work-life balance is far from being balanced. I'm sure this generation will take a big step forward). The glass ceiling is a barrier, sometimes in your mind, sometimes is real, but we have to face it anyway to go on.
Employees can be the best prepared, who best know the business, business rules, people ... but if we don't enjoy a close relationship with our superiors and bosses, a confident one, hardly when a new free position is on the way our name will appear as a possible candidate. It's sad, but it's the truth. We'll be invisible, although we know we worth it and that we can contribute a lot.
Instead of us, someone (which probably will know much less than we about the business, or even has been in the company less time, or even is new in the company!) will be promoted. With this movement, there will come undoubtedly offensive comments to him / her, rumours, senseless hatred... (insert here any insinuation you prefer). But the uncomfortable truth is that it's your fault indeed, for making yourself invisible to the eyes of the directive people! otherwise you had been more than a friendly face with a good reputation, and surely your name had appeared in the list of candidates sooner or later.
So ... how do we do this? How do we broken that glass ceiling that not let us pass through?
A lot of you may think about what I'm going to say as "to suck up", I'm afraid. Forget about that. You know to have people like you in higher levels can bring a new air. You know very well the weaknesses of the company, people who should be promoted and who doesn't. Come on, you have everything what it takes. But remember, you are still invisible.
I extract you here the essential from the courses and experiences I have attend / seen/ learned for a few years. It is very easy actually: 1) It is good that you get on well with your peers, it is perfect indeed, but... what about those in higher levels? They are human beings too, right? Or do you think that to be in higher positions and with more responsibilities makes you less human? What's the worst that can happen to you if you get on well with your bosses, and achieve a true confident relationship for talking about family, dreams, aspirations...? or even say the things to be improved in your office, bring them new ideas...? They won't laugh of you, please! It's just a matter of fear, do you see it? They are not Gods, just people, as you and me! You think they won't take into account your ideas, but that's to untrue... 2) It's important for you to find a mentor or similar within the company: All companies, absolutely all, have their own internal rules, it's just that nobody has explained them to us. A mentor for us could be the person who knows the rules, who knows how things work, who knows who can help us more, etc. There's a french word for it: "to have piston".. learn from him/her what it takes to make your career take off. 3) Make many coffees: the animated conversations in front of the coffee machine or the water dispenser, ain't trivial. It's not about sucking up, please, of course not! Neither to be super charming, or anything like that. It's not about cheating, it's about creating links! Talk about new ideas, processes, methods, tools... but also about family, hobbies, problems or even holidays. Is there anything wrong with it? Is there anything wrong in open our minds and lives to others? Now it's about creating links and create a relationship: it invests time, but the results are very positive, not only for us...
These three tracks that I've summarised, are like a small-hammer: they will help you to break the ceiling. It is a new start in your professional life. Use it wisely! :D
Hasta la próxima!
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario