In my first job I was a waste of space.
The drum container factory hired me as a personnel clerk.
Not because they needed my services but because my cousin personally knew the
general manager.
In that factory, every one had to be doing something every
second of the 8-hour day. But I didn’t have anything to do. The others were not
willing to share their tasks because they had their own job insecurity issues,
too.
One day, the senior clerk asked me to put all vacation leave
forms in a folder. I complied and began to slide the paper holes through the metal
fastener. I was doing it very slowly so I would
be “busy” up to closing time. But I was already finished two hours early
! So, I pulled out the sheets one by one to repeat the whole procedure !
I was jealous of our janitor. When he was absent, the whole
office was in near panic. They complained about the smell and the wet floor of
the toilets. Every one missed him when he was away for one day. I was sure no
one would care even if I went on leave for a whole year !
My wish then was to be a little more valuable. At that time
I was getting minimum wage but I knew my value to the company was not even
worth a tenth of my pay. Pathetic.
Today I am one of the senior officers of our (media)
company. Just a few weeks ago, our head of research was complaining that our
reality show contestants were not connecting well with the audience. She
explained that we needed to improve our promo work…which was my work. At first,
I resented her comment because many people were listening, including my boss.
But when I faced my staff I told them : we should not feel too bad when people complain
about the quality of our work. They are only affirming the important
contribution that our work could offer. If our work was not important, who
cares about its quality ? “ In fact,” I
told them “ I was glad that the big boss was listening so she would also
appreciate the relevance of our department. “
Working for over 30 years, I have heard a lot of people complain
about too much work , about tight deadlines and demanding bosses or clients . I
understand how they feel. But if your boss has not asked you to do anything
important and urgent in the past 2 weeks, it is not likely that the company
will still need you around in the next two months !
I have observed that people who choose to feel relevant are
often enthusiastic, productive and therefore promotable. In contrast, those who
resent the bosses’ comments are more likely to quit or to fall into extra furniture-status.
Many years ago when I was already head of a whole creative
department, I was still threatened with being irrelevant. The five creative
directors under me wanted to prove to me, the new boss, that they could do
their tasks on their own. Besides, creative people are always possessive when
it comes to ownership of creative ideas.
So, I adjusted my role. Instead of giving them specific
creative ideas, I decided my role was to teach them how to become more
creative. My job became even more distinct!
Here are other tips that may help ensure your value in the
office.
1. Make your output
unique. For example, if you are all writers, develop a style
that can only come from your element.
that can only come from your element.
2. If your output is
uniform with those of everyone in the same rank, be the one
that’s most fun
to work with it. Offices don't like to keep those who exude
negative vibes.
3. If your boss is
very smart and doesn’t seem to need your help, don’t wait to be told what to
do. Come up with initiative ideas. It doesn’t matter if they don’t get
implemented. You’re just giving yourself a chance to look good. You may even actually
come up with something he’s been too busy to imagine !
4. Even if you’re
better than your boss, don’t make him irrelevant. Always give
him a chance to
comment. If you wish to disagree with him, be alone with
him or be
tactful. ( This will be discussed in a separate article. )
5. If you think you
are better than everyone else, don’t flaunt and don’t fight
for credit. You
will be target practice for dagger throwers.
I once read a book about thinking positive for money. It
said that you can’t attract wealth by simply wishing you had it. You first have
to produce something of value to this world, then the world will be willing to
pay.
So, what will your unique contribution be?
In 2014, The Creative Guild honored the author with
the Lifetime
Achievement Award in Advertising.
You may email him at rglabayen@gmail.com
Wow! Blogger ka na, Sir! I am so proud that you are my Big Boss!😀
ReplyDeleteThank you Dang ! Nakakatuwa, may bago na naman akong bisyo saka marami palang nakaka-relate sa topic na ito. You all encourage me.( Kaninang breakfast, naalala ko si Matt na champion sa Tae Kwon Do. Naisip ko na sana maging something din ang apo ko.)
DeleteNaisulat mo ang nasa isip ko this past few days. Salaam, Robert. :)
ReplyDelete*Salamat
ReplyDeleteSalaaamat sa comment Rachel !
ReplyDeleteSalaaamat sa comment Rachel !
ReplyDeleteIdol!!!! Idol talaga kita!!! Parang JohnLloyd tong blog mo... tagos!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Hazel !!! The best ka !!!
DeleteIdol!!!! Idol talaga kita!!! Parang JohnLloyd tong blog mo... tagos!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePhase 1: start Blogging
ReplyDeletePhase 2: create YouTube Channel
Phase 3: join Chicken Pork Adobo MCN
Salalamat Dennis! I-coach mo ako dyan.
DeleteAng galing Sir! Ka-level na nito ang 7 habits of highly effective people. 5 habits of staying relevant in the office. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joan ! Supporter ka talaga !
DeleteRelate much ako RGL 😊 galing mo sir 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Rona !
DeleteMakagawa nga ng kanta tungkol dito.
ReplyDeleteO sige pare naiimagine ko.
DeleteO sige pare naiimagine ko.
DeleteVery inspiring! You nailed it Sir, as always! Nakaka good vibes all the way! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you rhena! See you soon!
DeleteThank you rhena! See you soon!
DeleteWonderful blog.. Very inspiring...
ReplyDeleteThank you ms. Lovely!!
DeleteThank you ms. Lovely!!
DeleteSiiiiiiir Robert! Natawa naman ako that you were jealous sa janitor kasi mas significant pa yung task nya kahit hindi pang boss yung work nya pero wala nga yun sa liit at laki ng position, ang important ay nagagampanan nya ang mission in life nya at marami syang natutulungan. I hope I can discover my mission in life wherever I am kung saan man ako ilagay ni God. All I know sa ngayon ay...I want to take steps away from my comfort zone now sa kung saan mang season ng life ko and I am very grateful that I have a very supportive boss like you. Ang galing mo talaga sir. Walang motivational speaker na tulad mo kasi sla ang hirap ireach at nahihiya akong iapproach kahit gaano ko sla kaadmire pero ikaw tunay na tao...kahit na sobrang layo na ng narating mo at big boss ka pa pero approachable ka parin at humble. Nakwento kita sa isang friend ko kung gaano ka kabait, supportive, talented at nakakainspire..hindi ko pa fully nadedescribe lahat ng naitulong mo sa akin and how u inspire others, gusto na nya to be like you someday maging great boss. Sir Robert kahit tumanda na ko at hindi na tyo magkita, I will truly remember you as someone who made a dent sa Philippines, at sa buhay ko. Hindi lang pala dent, na-dig mo yung core ng mundo ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you rochelle! Naiyak ako!
DeleteThank you rochelle! Naiyak ako!
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