Managing a Hell named "Office"

 Having to deal with a lot of challenges lately. Last one being, I’ve been denied of a promotion that I’m eligible for which I also feel I deserve), twice, consecutively in two cycles. Peers hired along with me and with much lesser industry experience, have “all” been promoted.  Though a trillion philosophies can provide consolation and say “designation does not matter,….. It’s just a delay of one year in your career growth,…. What is delayed does not mean denied,….”  Finally, I look like a fool and loser, to face my mirror each day,…. I really cannot blame my boss or any bad luck,,….. What has happened, has happened,…. Just that I’m not been able to comes to peace in terms of whatever has happened……

This episode of 7 years of experience and still a Jr. Executive has thought me few things though:

1.       Work is Serious Business and you’re here to contribute and make the best of corporate life.  It not a place of Charity or Social Forum. Have a definite PERSONAL CAREER GOAL!!!  Chart your Career path along with a realistic timeline.

This is something I really lacked. All I did was work, work and work, like a nomad! Doing what is expected or required. Identifying rusted/ chaos, processes and systems and recommend solutions for “Process Improvements” and “Organizational Leverage”. I did not see my own gain or positioning or prospects, in doing what I do each day. What is the point if your team/corporation wins and you lose?  As much as we work for Organization’s success, we fail inversely, to plan for our own!!! How on earth are we attuned to hope that someone, somewhere will bestow good things on us, if we work hard endlessly!!!  Hard work should be coupled with Direction and personal Milestones!!! If there is a deviation, it’s time your re-access your actions and priorities

2.       Windmills of Happiness or Hailstorms: Stick to one Employer, especially mid-career !!! Choose your Career Path and Employer who can help you attain it and stick to them.  If you wanna change , consider doing so only after careful consideration. Intangibly, On an average, change is recommended only after 5-7 years post serving your existing employer!!  

One of the notable flaws of Millennials - swapping jobs for more money or one level-up designations. It takes 2 years to understand the Organization in it’s totality!! 4-6 years to be influential and implement Process Transformation.  In my 7 years, my experience is never continuous!! Though personally it was good for me, my career had a huge repercussion because Job hops and Breaks. (there was time spree where I swapped jobs, because my Office colleague, my then best Friend decided to move – can’t believe what a fool I was J).  I have gained experience of what it takes to be a manager today, but I’m still at entry level, squarely because of my Inconsistence in Employment. Talent can always be bought in the open market! But what employers also need is Loyalty and Sustainability!!! “If you believe you are talented , try willing to be Loyal, and see to yourself, the gains the pay-off post each year that you invest in the organization”. Palani Guruswamy, My Boss at Technosoft Corporation, told me this on my exit day. Surely, What Palani Sir said was true and I see it happening right, before my eyes today. Unfortunately, as a victim now, though.

3.       To be successful is to be accepted by Peers/Bosses. Be not too isolated/ individualistic or too socialistic.  Never disapprove anyone of their Actions in Corporate Life.  It Corrective actions are required, try to make “the other person see” an alternative methodology and make him recommend the solution you intended back to you or to organization (a Natural trait which I Admire in my Tin TinJ ).

(Many a days I was so obsessed and angry with end users, that I failed to see through their perspective of why they do the things they do. I was perceived as someone with Attitude, policing around for Compliance flaws and not someone who they can trust and count on..... )

4.       Be Individualistic! Never flatter you Boss, Never be scared but always adhere to chain of command!!!

Be Original, independent and bold enough to speak loud your thoughts,….. You did not have your boss’s approval to be born,…. You don’t need to look for his approval to do anything else either,…. An Optimistic Boss will always be appreciative/critical, acknowledging and supportive of both your shortcomings and achievements.

5.       Stick to the organization Chain of Command. Bad or good, your Boss is your Corporate God Father!!! Any good that can come to you, can only come through your boss. Never ever scheme to bypass or let your boss feel threatened by your initiatives. In Worst case, If your Boss, is Completely Hopeless (J), In terms of he being too self-oriented (Seeing only that they win, while their own team continuously fails) and over a time-period did not enable much for you to learn, contribute and scale up, choose another Boss!!! Don’t waste time working for a wrong Boss, who might filter out your Success opportunities and nullify your existence.  Many Super-Bosses, will be willing to give you this leverage, if you have an objective rationale for Team change and a work charter.

6.       Personal and Professional has no demarcation. Work life is as important as personal life. Give adequate time to plan each day’s work tasks. Steve Jobs and many millions corporate success stories would not have been written if Work was not taken personal and Close to Heart.  You may not wanna be Steve Jobs, but Your Work is your Identity, Social Status and Bread Winner. Give your best to it!

7.       Lean on Continuous/full-time Education or certification, to upgrade your skills and give yourself a winning edge.  Education is more important than work Experience. A mind that chooses wisdom, chooses crown of life (Proverbs-Bible).

Work is no Place to be philosophical. But, certain Philosophies when practiced at work place, can lighten up our
minds and save our health:

8.       When Situations allows you to get hurt, accept the situation. Come to peace with it! If your Job is on Lay-off, your hike has been Minimal, Promotion is denied or if a demon disguised as boss is ruling over you J, come to peace with it. “When Life gives you Chocolate or Vanilla, you have an option to Choose one of the two. But if you are given only vanilla, CHOOSE Vanilla.” – A thought from Landmark Forum.  Acceptance of the “Present” and acknowledgment is the first step to disaster recovery or even soul’s redemption.

(I wish to come to peace in terms Promotions Denied. In doing so, my Mind is cleared up for new Beginnings!!!  New Life!!! Same organization, same boss, same peers, but a New Perspective of Career, Work and Growth)

9.       Life is too short to just to battle unseen/seen ghosts.  Bad people are everywhere. Governments and World is about Politics, howbeit Corporations?  But, to win the Bad, we don’t need to play bad….. We can win, if we continue to be sincere, fair and honest in our perusals . Better to win slowly and steadily by being Honest and fair, than to gain shortly and success rapidly, by wicked Self-fish ways.  Rule of Nature:  One will Reap what he has sowed!   

Even in worst case, if all is lost, one’s conscience is true and pure!

10.   Always, see the larger perspective, Life!!!  What is it that you wanna do or complete, before you die?  How would you want to be remembered by people whom you are meeting each day? Were you an angel who touched lives positively or a demon that took away good things from happening to people or even worse, being a quite apathetic observer, watching others while they are suffering and do nothing good, in your own small ways to them? How are you being Perceived each day, by your own Colleagues? End of it, Not just God, even your own people will see though your actions. We all will be known and remembered for who we are and what we did?