Sometimes we think the light at the end of the tunnel is what we're after, until that light turns into a train. The problem, I see with hard work, is that you only can do so much of your own accord. You rely heavily on the will power and often the judgment of others. This can be a tough situation for most, especially when those around you, or above you don't have a grasp on their egos. You see it in every work force, in every place. There is no perfect job, there is no place to go work and be 'happy.' You are are the mercy of those around you.
I've worked a handful of places, and generally I find that perception is reality. The spotlighters, those willing to sell their souls at the expense of others generally move on, get promoted and become in charge of you. This isn't always the case, as some good tends to slip through the cracks of corruption, but it's merely luck that this happens. There is a constant struggle in any work environment between those who manage, and those who actually lead. I'm sure your boss has been a real jackass, but you have a buddy in the office who is able to put things into perspective for you, help you understand the true worth of what you're doing, and how that it may appease anyone higher. This person is brilliant enough, understand enough, uses enough common sense daily, not only to accomplish tasks, but actually elevates the team and helps them accomplish their tasks. He could run the company if he were to simply fall victim to the system.
You're worth is usually replaceable.
This is a sad fact. Often, the behind the scenes that is taken care is never credited. As we progress, grow in the ranks, we tend to forget the fact that we had been in the shittiest positions before. We always, as human nature would allow, had it worse than the next guy. We did it better and worked harder and got treated worse. It's the age old story, that I'm sure has some sense of truth, but perhaps only in multigenerational gaps. I'm sure I didn't have as rough of a childhood as my grandpa did, but someone only a few years older than me didn't have it any worse, or to a point where there could be contention in the stories.
With this being said, it's almost seemingly obvious that we tend to forget who actually gets things done. The worker bee, not the queen is responsible for making the hive successful. They merely rely on her ability to influence. Anybody at the top, will automatically assume through ignorance and ego that they have enough influence to lead anyone to be successful. That makes you instantly replaceable. It's a word where attitude is everything. Bow at the feet of those in charge, and stand up to those below you regardless how righteous you may be and you will go far. Admit you're wrong and you shall fail. Ego, greed, arrogance.
That statement is untrue. You are not easily replaced. There are plenty of ways to manage and lead people. In my experience, people act how you treat them. If you pull the reigns tight, they become stubborn as mules, unable to walk on their own. If you let go the reigns, they sprint like wild horses. So how do you influence people to do what you want them to do and act with initiative? You can't oppress people. It's against human nature, and especially American ideals to be oppressed. Treat them as a jockey treats his race horse. The jockey wants to win, the horse eager too. The jockey doesn't have reigns, doesn't pull from the front. He slaps from the rear and side. Digs his feet in and leans over the shoulder. Encourages the horse forward, and only holds him back from burning out or letting loose too early. It's both a science and an art.
It takes the right amount of the jockey's skill, mixed with the pushing of the talent of the horse to pull off a victory. It's not an overabunance of one or the other, but the perfect mixture of both that allows them to be successful, just as you and your team must be. These are lessons seen in every sense of history and sports. Team efforts, not just that of an individual will create a championship team. That means every member, no matter what short comings they may have, you have to find what they are strong at, and allow them to at least flourish in that department. At any workplace, you all work towards a common goal. You are a team whether you think it or not. As a manager, it's putting people in places where they need to be. As a leader, it's putting people in places they should be. The difference is understanding that we all are motivated differently, and most are not motivated with idle threats. Remember, we are not a people that like to be oppressed.
Cap, I'm a peacock, you gotta let me fly!
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