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Stanley Lee How do you feel appreciated and valued when your coworkers treat you pretty much like a tool as a means to an end? In addition, how would you change your perspectives in terms of your opportunities to grow, given that my hypothetical example sounds like a dead-end?

75 weeks ago from u30pro, Inspiring Leadership and The Modern Strategist1 more

Jessica Schanberg: Maybe the solution, short of getting a new job, is to focus more on yourself and less on how your co-workers treat you. You know how valuable you ...MoreMaybe the solution, short of getting a new job, is to focus more on yourself and less on how your co-workers treat you. You know how valuable you are and that's what should matter.
75 weeks ago
Stanley Lee: That works from a self-confidence point of view. However, a lot of the times, what you think of something matters less than what the employer or ...MoreThat works from a self-confidence point of view. However, a lot of the times, what you think of something matters less than what the employer or market thinks of it. How would you counter that proposition?
75 weeks ago
Martha Nelson: First, our feelings are a personal choice, so part of this is a decision about how we want to feel. How we choose to feel about it affects the ...MoreFirst, our feelings are a personal choice, so part of this is a decision about how we want to feel. How we choose to feel about it affects the approach. This is not just a bunch of rhetoric. I have had similar roles in three companies and my negative feelings about my work cost me one job in a restructure. At the next job, a major change in how I viewed my experience allowed me to retain my job in a restructure. How our coworkers treat us is not nearly as relevant as how our managers perceive us. A valuable "tool" in a team may be the MVP and next promotable employee to the management team. Facility managers often hold up their direct reports that regularly support the team and pitch in when there is adversity as their high potential promotable managers. It is hard to tell without being there whether or not the situation is tenable. In the end, a positive approach and a good talk with your manager to know where you stand will make it a lot easier to deal with the users at work.
74 weeks ago
: Oh, Stanley, to most people you are a means to an end. You are above this/sensitive to it, so figure out ways to subtly remind them you are a, ...MoreOh, Stanley, to most people you are a means to an end. You are above this/sensitive to it, so figure out ways to subtly remind them you are a, you know, person. I would try building stronger relationships with any coworkers who you can identify as NOT acting this way. It tends to have a ripple effect.
74 weeks ago
Stanley Lee: Maybe I am sensitive. I basically use the fact that I am treated as a means to an end to anticipate and manipulate other people's psychology as a ...MoreMaybe I am sensitive. I basically use the fact that I am treated as a means to an end to anticipate and manipulate other people's psychology as a personal example to defend my best interests. Not really the point of this question though.
74 weeks ago
Trish Cardona: @Elizabeth - I agree with you, find someone who you can connect with at work, even if it's just that 1 person.

Fortunately for me it was our ...More@Elizabeth - I agree with you, find someone who you can connect with at work, even if it's just that 1 person.

Fortunately for me it was our manager and as long as he was the one doing my performance review and promotion (and salary increase) recommendations I know I was going to be okay.

Not because I was friends with him, but because I knew I was doing a good job and he could look at my work/performance objectively both as a business person and as a human being.
74 weeks ago
: I was trying to be funny here, but in retrospect it was kind of condescending. My personal opinion is that people treat each other as means to an ...MoreI was trying to be funny here, but in retrospect it was kind of condescending. My personal opinion is that people treat each other as means to an end in all areas of life. I'm not sure if there is any such thing as a relationship that isn't partially built on that basic foundation.

I'm not quite sure what your question is asking. If you accept that people do this, are you posing this scenario to turn what seems oppressive on its ear and show that if someone displays this behavior (of usury) that can be used to get ahead? Do you think that is a negative thing to do? It strikes me that way on a certain level, but I can also see a lot of bias in my own opinion, since it's based on a feeling 'gut' reaction.
74 weeks ago
Mike Acton: My suggestions: (1) talk to your boss. Share that you want to grow and just ask for advice and help. If your boss doesn't really help you out ...MoreMy suggestions: (1) talk to your boss. Share that you want to grow and just ask for advice and help. If your boss doesn't really help you out here, you probably want to be somewhere else where you *can* grow. (2) the job is what you make it. Figure out how what you're passionate about and how you can use that to contribute, then just do something about it. Figure out how you can make a difference yourself. And just keep doing that and don't ever stop. It's the ones treating you 'like a tool' that are going to get left behind.
58 weeks ago

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