Is there a honeymoon period in the workplace?
I knew the honeymoon period was over in my marriage when my DH told me to “stop whining” when I stuck out my pouty lip about something instead of him saying that I was “cute”. After the honeymoon period there is a tendency to criticize more and forgive less.
My coworkers that have been at the company for a long time (7+ years) tend to criticize the most. They see the “writing on the wall” and read the “tea leaves”. When they immediately deject an idea because of what they think they foresee, they breed negativity and give up. “We’d never get funding for that – don’t plan on it” or “They never recognize our accomplishments – we’re never gonna be rewarded.” I just want to ask them, have you ever thought about doing something different? Maybe you’re not communicating well enough to the boss – maybe there’s something you can do about it!
Am I just naïve for having optimism about making change? I think not. If there ever needed to be change it’s now when we are in a recession market and need to be more creative with how we spend our money and how we prove our value to the company.
Maybe I’m focusing on the small issues? Some issues that I care deeply about at work may be in the very back corner of the CEO’s mind, behind a door in a box. In order for them to surface I need to be able to connect them to a “big picture” objective, and I need my boss or an executive sponsor to support me and not just put my idea aside. Small issues can become big issues if they are not addressed early on.
Am I in the wrong department? It’s no secret that some departments (usually the sales force or other central business) get more attention than the departments that “keep the lights on”. Consequently, they tend to be more influential. This group is a key supporter for making a change at work.
Is the honeymoon period over? Perhaps I was coddled as a new employee and everyone smiled and nodded when I would suggest something, and in the backroom say how “ambitious” and “good spirited" I was. Now that I’ve been here a couple years and have gone through the “test of time” they are more honest with me and we can all wallow in our trials together.
Is anyone else feeling this way at work? Please comment.
Norcross - Thanks for your comment. I agree that when management incorporates your ideas you naturally feel more productive. The sad part is when your manager doesn't feel appreciated by their boss and it causes a trickle-down effect. (Comment this)
--Thanks Andrea. It is disheartening at times, but I agree that continuing to speak up is important. I think a lot of it has to do with timing and having the right support. I will try to keep my enthusiasm - and know which battles to fight. (Comment this)
I do believe that there is a honeymoon period at work. In the beginning you have to discover everything and you see only the things that are so much better than they were at your previous wrorkplace :-) Then once you become really part of the furniture (for me that takes 9 to 12 months), you start seeing the wrong things, too. From then it is a question of attitude. You can chose rambling or trying to change things and doing your best at your job.
It's only when I know I can't change things at all and I can't stand the way they are anymore, that I know it's time to leave... (Comment this)