NoLuv4Work

Sitting in a client meeting, listening to a “senior leader” on our side of the discussion drone on and on. I get it – you’re an expert. You know all about some esoteric bit of business and you want to make sure everyone on the call knows it.

But here’s the thing. The client tuned out five slides ago and is now clearly multi-tasking and not paying any attention at all. You, Mr. Leader, said too much for too long, in too much detail – and failed to read the room.

There’s tremendous value in giving a little bit of information, followed by asking a question about the client’s thoughts, needs, situation, whatever…and then shutting up and listening. If the client doesn’t want what you’re selling, or doesn’t get the value of what you’re sharing, or heaven forbid, doesn’t give two shits about your expertise – then you’re wasting their time and ruining whatever relationship you say you want.

Finding out what they want, need, think or wonder lets you tailor what you’re sharing in a way that’s meaningful to them – not to you.

Here’s the deal – if you have a client that wants ALL the data, or ALL the diagrams or ALL of whatever – they’ll ask you for it. And, by the way, if they do – make sure they’re not just picking your brain in order to make their own version. Just sayin’

Over the years I’ve worked with so many different types of managers – good, bad, indifferent, just plain weird, power hungry, territorial… the list goes on.

Most recently I’ve experienced a new one that I’m calling the glass cannon. Yes, it’s a gaming term for those who aren’t familiar. In role playing games, the glass cannon is a character with strong offensive power but virtually no defense, so is easily destroyed.

Your experience as an employee is that the manager says they will speak up, stand their ground, make a big fuss – whatever might be asked of them to defend or protect their team, but then folds at the first sign of disagreement from anyone else in a leadership position.

That passive aggressive, control freak coworker who’s making everyone miserable? The glass cannon is going to set them straight, write them up, whatever…but completely capitulates and doesn’t even speak up when the moment arrives, leaving you out there on the field unprotected.

Moral of the story…the glass cannon makes a lot of noise, but you don’t have the cover you thought you did. Before you know it you’ll be on your own.

I shouldn’t say that. There are days I love work – and days that I certainly don’t. I think what I need is a place to vent my frustrations with some of the work absurdity that I’ve been living with for the past few decades. Yes, decades.

I keep thinking that retirement is right around the corner, but then there’s another corner and another and, somehow, I’m still here working.

It’s not the work that I mind actually. It’s the jargon. The “look at me, look at me” team members who wouldn’t know how to be on a team if it bit them. The constantly promoted while taking credit for the work of others “colleagues.”

The workplace seems divided between those that do the work, and those that get the money and the credit – and they aren’t the same people.

So, vent I will, but anonymously – so that I don’t lose this job that I still very much need.

Vent along with me here at NoLuv4Work with products that make the point!