Photo Credit: Addrox @ Flickr
Going to work can feel like you’re going to your parent’s house. And, if your parents get on your nerves, this can be annoying.
You deal with fussy bosses (your parents), co-workers who get away with murder (your siblings) and the occasional guilt-tripping that comes when attending office meetings (family gatherings and holiday parties).
So, sometimes, I can’t help but feel like I’m a kid all over again when I’m at work. I have to prove that I’m “grown up” to my bosses, despite the fact that they know that anyway.
People have to get over the teasing that gets bestowed upon them when they make mistakes or look stupid. It can be merciless.
You get nagged.
You’re watched.
And then, out of nowhere, you get dressed down for stuff you don’t remember doing or happened so long ago, it just seems silly to bring it up now.
You think you are in a professional environment, but then your coworker laughs at his own joke verging somewhere between toilet humor and Chris Farley slapstick.
Roles get reversed too. You end up playing mommy to your 4 year old boss. But, the only difference is that the 4-year old gets the credit and you get the boot. Or, a grade of “mediocre performance” on your once a year employee evaluation.
So, how are people surviving this perpetual ”childhood” at work? For the next week, I’m going to examine the following themes (in no particular order):
Proving your Independence
Ahhh, the teen years. You’ve got the license to drive, but Mom and Dad (or, better yet, your boss) just won’t let you drive – anywhere. How can you convince them to let up?
Middle Child Syndrome
You’re ignored. At least, you think you are. It seems like no matter what, you aren’t doing enough to get your boss’s attention. What gives?
Oooooh, you’re in trouble: Dealing with Mistakes
A favorite phrase of the corporati – CYA (cover your ass). But, getting in trouble for mistakes is so passe – do you want creativity or people who only do things “right”?
Role Reversal
Who’s really managing the department – and why aren’t they paying you the money to do it?
Am I missing any? Probably. Maybe you should tell me and I’ll add them to my list.