How NOT To Be A Scary Employee

In our last post, we talked about the scary bosses. Time to switch the tables because scary employees are a problem too. We’ve all probably worked with someone who fits the bill, but what if you’re the scary employee? Are you the unhappy and disengaged employee who has kind of given up and so always shows up late, lacks motivation, doesn’t care about the feelings of teammates, gossips about those that have let them down, and in general has a bad attitude? It might be hard to admit, but it’s worth taking a good look at how you show up at work. And if you’re ready, we’ve got some simple actions you can take to get back on track.

Step 1 – Goal Setting

What are your goals? What do you want out of life – both professionally and personally? Do you want to move up the corporate ladder? Are you happy with your job and work/life balance? Figuring out your goals will help you in the next steps.

For example, my own goals are to have a great work/life balance where I can spend time with my family. I need to make a living (I’m sure we don’t need to mention how the pandemic has affected both fronts!) but it’s also really important that I love what I do.

Step 2 – Figure Out What Motivates You

Not everyone is motivated the same way. Some people are externally motivated – they want the raises, the recognition, or the promotions. They feel success and accomplishment through those rewards. Others are internally motivated – they want to feel like they’ve helped someone or really made a difference. Which type are you? 

Step 3 – Workplace Inventory

So you have your goals figured out. Great! Does your workplace allow you to reach your goals? Is it toxic and filled with a negative attitude? Are you contributing to that? Or does it uplift and encourage you to pursue your goals? 

More importantly, does your workplace motivate you in a way that matches your motivation type? If raises and commissions are dangled in front of your face for a “job well done” does that motivate you to work harder? Or would you prefer a different type of reward for your hard work?

I think we’ve all had those workplaces that have brought us down rather than lift us up. Perhaps you’re still in that type of situation. If your workplace doesn’t meet the needs of your goals or your motivators- it may be time to consider a switch.

Step 4 – Be Courageous

After you’ve taken stock of your goals, your motivation style, and your current workplace, you should know what your next step is. If your workplace is fulfilling your needs and helping you to grow and become the person you want to be – that’s amazing! Congratulations, you probably aren’t a scary employee!

If your workplace isn’t meeting these needs – figure out what your next step is. Are you going to stay in your current situation or try and find somewhere that fits your needs? I know that’s easier said than done, especially right now. I promise you, though, it is infinitely worth it. There is nothing better than finding a job that feels more like a home than an office. Guess what? Having a workplace that meets your needs will cause you to work harder, be more willing to take on daunting tasks, stay late occasionally, and really feel appreciated as an employee.

No More Scary Employee!

The scary side of an employee often shows up when they don’t have their goals and needs met by their environment. While a workplace can’t always cater to everyone, doing some internal searching and taking stock of what’s really important to you can help get you get into the right environment. If this involves digging deeper into your personality style, learning to develop trust at work or navigating productive conflict, call us. We’d love to work with you! If you want to see a a difference you need to make a differences. So decide what’s important to you, and put one foot in front of the other. After all, the culture (r)evolution starts with you.