What is OfficePolitics.com? Real People. Real Problems. Expert Advice.
Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game. Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss. Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues. Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training. Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling. Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities. |
I have gone through a roller coaster ride... and I can’t make any sense of why I shouldn’t be promoted or at least recognized for my efforts...
July 2006 Dear Office-Politics, I joined my organization a year ago. This is my first job out of university.
I have received
no appreciation for my efforts and hard work and I have been relegated
to the background. One of my teammates who joined 5 months after me
has been promoted to supervisor. They have pretty much given him my
job without the extra work load and I am back to what I first started
doing. My manager resigned a few months ago and now I have a new manager
who isn’t very supportive and is quick at pointing fingers at
me when something goes wrong (knowing that it has happened before)
even if I am not to blame. I really don’t have any sort of relationship
with my current new manager because I am scared of opening up to her.
Let
Down and Ready to Quit Dear Let Down and Ready to Quit, Entering the workforce for the very first time can be tough. Although this experience has been challenging, you can take a few valuable lessons from it that will help you in future positions. The transition from an academic setting to 'the real world' of work can be daunting. Getting a new job, at any stage, is exciting yet pretty confusing because there the rules are different. It takes time and effort to figure things out and begin to feel confident in your abilities and part of the culture. Next time, concentrate on discovering the organizational culture, i.e. the unspoken rules on how to get things done and the best ways to be recognized for your hard work. Seek out several friendly people who seem knowledgeable and ask questions like:
You'll be more successful if you know the rules of engagement. Regarding your relationship with your current new boss, I have a question for you. You say you're afraid of opening up to your new manager. How will things change for the better if you don't open up and talk with her? Beginning a dialogue with your boss might signal to her that you are a team player who takes initiative to find solutions. You asked why you weren't promoted or recognized for your hard work. While I don't have all the facts, I do know that employees often believe that simply being a hard worker will bring rewards. Sadly, it isn't enough. A course or book about 'personal branding' like Make a Name for Yourself: Eight Steps Every Woman Needs to Create a Brand for Success will give you tips and strategies for sharing your accomplishments in a professional way that can lead to new opportunities. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics. Best wishes for a bright future. Dina Dina Beach Lynch, JD
The Ethics Letters that appears as a feature of this Website is an educational and discussion oriented column designed to help the reader better understand ethical issues. The matters discussed in the letter are reviewed in a summary/abbreviated way and are only meant to foster thinking on the part of the reader. If a person decides to adopt or implement suggestions, they do so at their own risk. No representation or warranty is provided in relation to suggestions or the contents of the letter. Neither the authors of the letter, Franke James, John W. Burton, Rick Brandon, Marty Seldman, Arnie Herz or the owners of this Website accept any liability whatsoever for any opinions expressed in the letter or for errors and omissions. Submission of letters to the Office-Politics Forum grants the Publisher, Nerdheaven Ltd. the right to reproduce, republish, repurpose and excerpt the submission in any and all other media, without compensation or contacting the author. Copyright Nerdheaven Ltd. 2002-2005
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