You’ve met that guy or that gal… you know the one…
The one that seems to have a chip on their shoulder.
The one who thinks “they” are out to get him.
Through my years working, I have met that man and that woman multiple times.
“They are after my job,” they tell me. “They don’t value me.”
And, a few months or years later… they get fired.
“SEE, I told you! They were out to GET ME!”
Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy…
I have always told people, “I’m not the kind of guy who starts companies from scratch, I’m the one who tries to make them better” and you know what, I’ve never been the guy that starts companies from scratch.
I wonder why?
Maybe, if I change my mind…
I can change my LIFE!
But, back to those people who think they are going to get fired, who most often do…
WHY IS THAT? I think there is real value in the answer. Not just to those who think they are going to get fired, but to everyone who is trying to add value and move up and ahead.
1. They operate from a position of “DISTRUST”. Because they have defined their existence as “in danger”, they question not just the directions given, but more importantly the INTENT of everything. This makes them less focused on WHAT is being asked, and focuses them on WHY its being asked. It makes them waste energy and time trying to explore and uncover motives that do not serve the company’s interest, nor their own.
2. They OVER value their own contribution. Because they think they are inherently “UNDER-valued” they go out of their way to tell everyone how valuable they are. They take offense when anyone else demonstrates value or comes up with a good idea, especially if it contradicts or overlaps with their own contribution… because not defending their own contribution puts them in even greater risk.
3. They don’t take RESPONSIBILITY for their own failures or errors. Along the same lines, because they feel they are already targeted, they do not want to admit do being anything less than perfect. OR, at least more perfect than everyone around them. By not taking responsibility for their own errors, THEY FAIL TO LEARN FROM THEIR OWN MISTAKES. This becomes a deadly behavior, either raising serious concern from management, or simply eliminating their ability to grow and thus expand their responsibility or contribution in the organization.
4. THE DAGGER: They ultimately UNDERMINE or UNDERPERFORM. We all seek control of our lives, and when we believe we cannot control OUR success, and we are fearful, we often turn to making the other guy FAIL. “If I can’t win, maybe I can make them fail instead.” This comes from one of two places; either deliberately they choose to “show them why they are smarter than the rest.” Whenever there is an opportunity to show people why I am smarter than the rest, I do so. By questioning INTENT of management or of the company’s policy, you aim your own focus or that of your colleagues on things other than the real problems or the work at hand. Or, due to their inability to learn from their mistakes and engage rationally in the work, they simply under perform and under deliver. They take on TOO MUCH trying to show how valuable they are, how they can handle everything (because if they delegate something they may teach someone else what they know) – and then they fail under the weight of the unrealistic load.
It is so irrational, ironic and common to see this happen. It is sad because it is simply unnecessary and takes a toll on BOTH the company AND the individual.
WHAT CAN YOU DO AS THEIR MANAGER?
The only thing you can do is speak to their value as much and as clearly as you possibly can… and work to help them see their value. You need to help them find their rationality. And, then it’s up to them.
NOTE: There are some people who turn their insecurity INTO focus. They are some of the very best performers. They turn their fear into productivity… Those people are unbelievable, but its just sad that they don’t fully appreciate their own value.
Here is my take:
If a company is going to fire you AND you do good work in a professional manner – THEY are either irrational or incompetent. SO, WHY would you want to work there in the first place?
If your company is RATIONAL and COMPETENT – they simply ARE NOT going to fire you for doing good work in a professional manner… SO, FOCUS on THAT!
ALWAYS focus on doing your job in the most professional and competent manner, and LEARN and GROW… and rational people and rational companies will VALUE YOU because YOU WILL BE VALUABLE!
Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy…
BELIEVE in your VALUE while you ACCEPT your own IMPERFECTION…
THAT is what gives you the power to grow and improve.
Don’t be that guy, or that gal… because it’s sad and wasteful to you and your company…
Don’t fall into the trap of insecurity.
If you can change your mind,
You can CHANGE your LIFE!
In harmony,
Nestor