5 Reasons Why You Should Stay HumbleI have a feeling that this article will inspire much debate. However, if you are in your 30s and have worked at a great many companies, then you will understand where the idea of this may actually make sense. When you are bright-eyed and entering the workforce, you will not know that there are people within the company that have high levels of competitive nature. Some companies encourage the competition among colleagues, while others have little to no folks that view each other as a bug to squash. Whatever place you first decide to work in, whether it be at Dunkin Donuts, or Wall Street, there will no doubt be someone who is aspiring to climb the ladder to leadership. Which is why I write this article. It’s not to say that a little competition is bad. If that was the case, this blog would not be continuously evolving. Competing with yourself is always encouraged. Becoming a better version of yourself is always a good thing. The problem arises when the competitive nature becomes bothersome to others. Someone lies to demoralize a co-worker’s character at a most critical time. Another sabotages a colleague’s work in order to make them seem like they do not know what they are doing. You refuse to help someone else because you do not want them to get ahead. These instances are when competing becomes problematic. And believe me they do happen. In order to not become a victim of these circumstances, it is best that we lay low a little. Here are some reasons and ways that describe why you should be humble and not discuss your achievements as often as most people do. 1. Do Not Scream Your Achievements, They Inspire EnvyRecently while travelling, I read a book entitled 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin. In this book, the author touches on social media and a study of individuals while exposed to news on these platforms. What I found interesting is that the majority of people on these platforms express joy at the bad news of others. They measure their lives to others who, in their view, are successful. When sudden misfortune falls on these individuals, there is a certain amount of satisfaction that others feel. This is also true in the work environment. I have seen instances where an individual will discuss some happy achievement in their life, such as receiving a promotion, only to be brought into Human Resources for bragging. Your achievements, while in the workplace, should be muttered by others and not by you. If you do discuss achievements, you will fall victim to people who will target you and your headaches will increase. Your achievements, should you like to share them, should be expressed among individuals who truly care about you. Celebrate with those who preferably do not work in the same place as you do. 2. Become a Void- Make AlliancesEssentially, the first step is working to get you to this second step. Becoming a void is something you should greatly value above all things while entering the workforce. If you do not scream your achievements, then you give others nothing to target. If you make alliances with individuals, they will serve to protect your reputation. This should not be entirely relied on, but you can definitely use this to your advantage. You should never, EVER, outwardly show signs of competition or aggression. Every person that you meet may have deeper bonds with others who in turn have influence on how high you go within the company. Therefore, it is best to practice to treat others with the respect and dignity that you deserve. Yes, you read that right. If you want respect, you need to give respect. Make time for others throughout the work day. Leave them with a good experience every time and you will never fail. Alliances serve for two purposes. The first has just been mentioned, the second is to increase the likelihood of creating the void. If you continuously make friends and not enemies, there will be no one to hinder your work and steps to higher positions within the company. 3. Reduce Drama- Check Your AlliancesYour alliances should be chosen carefully. Make their availability to you limited in what you say and discuss. Show them reliability, and watch their response. Alliances at work, just like anything else in life, should be checked periodically. The reason why this step is here is because most of us tend to think once we make our alliances, that is it. Our job is done. That thought process is a grave mistake. People’s feelings, and emotions change constantly. You may be friendly with someone one minute, and the next minute they are upset with you for a remark you said. Talk daily with others. Network. Discuss ideas and work collaboratively on projects. While doing so, look for signs that would give out a warning. I have a supervisor who I friended on Facebook. We were good friends and I thought nothing would come out of my sharing outside work life with her. When I was mentioned for a certain promotion, she used my social media platform as a way to defer that promotion to someone else in a very public way. This was done with other highly placed individuals in attendance. Betrayal can be around every corner when working in an environment with highly ambitious people. It can distract you from what is here and now. Regardless, we should always approach people with caution, respect, and compassion. 4. Bring About ConfusionIf you have followed all the steps above then you have (for certain) brought about step four. Confusion. Evoking people’s emotions and feelings when they think of you (in a good way) is great for setting yourself up for success. Even the most ambitious individuals enjoy having someone around who seemingly does not want recognition for their accomplishments and make them feel good about themselves. This will then cause internal conflict when a situation arises. You are taken into consideration for promotions, but there will be no one there that will be willing to sabotage your efforts. The resistance will lessen, and the waters to success will be a smoother voyage than without alliances. Keep in mind, most people in highly placed positions are not interested in what you have done. They are interested in what you will do. When involved with someone who has been in a position that involves authority over others, take the time to listen and learn from them. They can give you invaluable information that you can carry with you to your next position. Think of yourself as a sponge when you come into contact with these types of colleagues. You are there to absorb their knowledge and past experiences. You are then armoring yourself with this to go forward and forge your way in the business. Use this information wisely. 5. Humble Folks Get SomewhereHave you ever been around someone who can’t help but talk themselves up whenever you have good news to share.
It’s almost like, they can’t help but share their accomplishments once you share yours to remind themselves they are successful as well. How has that experience left you? Did you want to share good news with them again? Chances are that you did not. In fact, you may have tried to avoid them after. This is exactly the reason why you should humble yourself around people. We know you are smart, good looking, and have great toys. What corporate folks are looking for are individuals that can get the work done for the betterment of the company. By emphasizing all types of accomplishments, they will feel that you have nothing to give to the company if you are continuously working on yourself. This is not to say that it is a bad thing. It just means that your time is already stretched thin by all these great things that you have done and may not have time to dedicate yourself to the work on hand. Let others highlight your accomplishments within the business. Take control of your time and availability to others. Reduce drama by keeping your alliances in check. Bring about mixed feelings of satisfaction and regret when you do get promoted. And, continue to be humbled by your ability to grow and succeed. Not everyone is cut out to be in a highly competitive work environment. After reading this, you may be more inclined to work for yourself. That is okay. It is tough to be tough in such a place. Just like every other challenge, however, you will come out a stronger and well polished individual. You will have new and improved skill sets to use. You can also build off these skills attained from conflict in the workplace to grow. Make sure that if you do enter such an environment, you have people around you who support you every step of the way. They will keep you grounded, and sane. They will also remind you that life is more than work. Life is about giving all of yourself to those who love you and cherish you in a way that brings tears streaming down your face.
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AuthorYaritza Ellison has been an nurse since 2010. She has been essential to the healing process of many and seeks to continue to do so. Her passion for mental health and self help literature has lead her to launch justyari.org, where she aspires to coach young ladies navigating through work-life balance. Categories
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