Beyond 254

The Importance of the Golden Rule

September 29th marked my first six months at my new job. I have to admit that my new job has been a wonderful transition from the hell I experienced at my previous company. I am amazed at how feeling respected and appreciated can cause a major shift in your focus, direction and overall outlook.

The environment at my new company is very professional and respectful. People actually acknowledge each others presence, a concept that was obviously lost at my previous company. In addition, my co-workers also show each other appreciation, another concept that seems to be lost in today's corporate environment. Being in a positive environment has brought back the ambition and drive that I lost. I feel more energized and upbeat. People that know me well have even noticed a change in my demeanor. At my previous company, so many people felt demoralized that they hated coming to work and they also did not perform to the best of their ability. At my new place, I do not dread coming to work and I want to do well for the company, because they give me what everyone craves, respect. Companies, who give not just monetarily, but in other means, receive so much in return. If you look at top performing companies you notice their positive corporate culture and how well they value their employees. You can not create a world class organization with a dysfunctional corporate environment. My previous company is currently going through major problems, which does not surprise me due to the dysfunction I just mentioned. I remember during the employee meetings, they always mentioned that things were going good, but I knew better due to all the discontent among the employees. I always said to myself, they are hanging on by a thread and sure enough they were. So in life, when you treat people well, you will reap the benefits. I know the old golden rule sounds so cliche, treat others as you would like to be treated, but those words speak volumes. As I said earlier, just look at the top performing companies and you will see that this old adage is so true.

Refreshed and Energized

For the first time in a long time, I feel refreshed and energized. Even though these last few months have been busy, since I obtained my new job, I still feel really good. I guess when you are working in a pleasant and professional environment, you feel more alive. When I was in my previous job, the environment was so toxic that I felt drained some days. I thank God everyday that he opened the door for me to move out of that negative environment. The difference between the two companies is like night and day. After 90 days, I have no complaints. At my previous company, I remember people quitting after one week! I suffered through three years, but that past hardship makes me appreciate what I have now. This has truly been a blessing.

Tip of the Day: While you are making that transition to live out your passion, seek out a pleasant, work environment that will make you happy. Not only will you feel better, but your mind will now be clear to create new ideas that will move you toward your vision.

Working on Autopilot

The other day, one of my co-workers asked my opinion about the direction a project we were working on was headed. I told him, that I really do not have an opinion and I just wanted the directors to make a decision and stick with it. He kept pressing me for an opinion. I told him I do not have an opinion one way or another. To be honest, I really did not care. Ever since I have decided that Corporate America is not my path, I have been working on autopilot. I do what is needed to do my job effectively, but I am not trying to become a superstar at this company. When I first started working in Corporate America, I wanted to become a star, but the realities of the corporate world started to set in and I realized that this path was not for me. I recently read an article "Recession intensifies GenX discontent at work" and it really summed up what I am feeling as a Gen Xer. I think a lot of Gen Xers are also working on autopilot during this recession until they can get out and do something better. Our generation wants more meaning and purpose and to do work that we are passionate about, unlike the baby boomer generation. As I have been saying all along, finding your purpose is key to discovering your true talents and passions. 

Can Nature Make You a Better Person?

I was reading an article at www.MSNBC.com about how looking at nature can improve your mood and behavior. Click on the link below and as you read, think about how nature can play a role in your personal life and how it can be improved just by making a few organic adjustments.

MSNBC link: Looking At Nature Makes You Nicer

I Accept the Job, BUT Here's my Two Week Notice!

Last week, I found out that we hired a new guy in our department, but then discovered in the same sentence that he resigned! I thought to myself, how hilarious, I find out about the new guy the same time I hear about his resignation. I found out from others, that he had enough of this office. Granted, he only started in August. I told my co-worker, our department heads did not even send out an announcement back in August about the new addition to our group. Since the people in our department are spread out among two locations, communication is key. But, unfortunately for this company, communication is seriously lacking. This goes back to the problems of poor communication (Check out blog post - Poor Communication: Breeding Ground for Confusion). Management does a horrible job of communicating important information to the team. That is why this department runs in a "reactive" instead of a "proactive" mode.

The resignation of my team member gives me hope for the day when I can turn in my resignation letter. Until then, I will continue to Focus on One Good Thing. The one good thing at this place is that the comical antics will definitely keep me laughing!

It will NOT be different

I was talking to a fellow co-worker the other day and she expressed her desire to leave and find a job at another company. She was asking about my contacts at my previous company and asked me why I left. I told her that the environment at the previous company I worked for was extremely political. She asked me, "more political than here?" I told her it was political, but in a different way. Then she said, I guess no matter where you go you will run into office politics. I told her, yes, every company I have worked for has some level of politics. You will not be able to escape it. It will not be different. Just to get one item approved at my current company, I need to get buy-in from at least five different people. People need to realize that politics will be prevalent at large corporations. No one will escape corporate politics by changing companies. So it does not matter where you work, it will never be different.  

Tip of the Day: People need to realize their own dreams and passions and pursue them instead of looking for greener pastures at other companies in Corporate America.

Is High School Really Over?

Sorry I have been so behind on my blog postings. I am working on some new changes for Beyond254 that I will be unveiling within the next couple of months, so I have been really busy. But, I wanted to take time to comment on an article I just read today on a Wall Street Journal Blog called "The Juggle." The title of the article was Meritocracy or "Mean Girls." How Important is Office Popularity? The article really spoke volumes to me, because this explains the environment at my current workplace. As I was reading this article, it felt like I was reading about my company. Also, I read some of the readers' comments and it mirrors what I am going through. The gossiping,  jealousy, back-biting and back-stabbing is very common where I work. Also, swearing is commonplace. The management team in my department does not even try to hide the fact that they play favorites. I remember after working at my current company a few months, we had a team dinner with one of the clients we were working with. I do not drink, so naturally I did not order a drink with my dinner. After the dinner, I went to the restroom and a female manager followed me. While we were in the restroom, she questioned my choice of not drinking and then she said something that totally shocked me. She said, "You do not drink, how are you going to fit in with the group?" I was so stunned I could not even come back with one of my sarcastic one liners. I was literally speechless!

I really feel that high school is never over. It is amazing to me that some adults can be so immature and let pettiness cloud their judgment. I guess that is why starting my own company is so important to me, because I want to be free of these toxic environments. So, what are your thoughts? Does this sound like your office environment? Let me know, I would love to hear from you.

Tip of the day - To cope with my toxic environment, I have found a few good, like-minded people on my job that I interact with. Also, whenever I feel that someone is trying to pull me into a toxic conversation, I try to change the subject or find an excuse to walk away. Until you can escape, just bear with it, try out these tips and just know that one day you will be free of this environment.

Over 400 Miles, One Sentence

  I had to attend an out of town team meeting on Monday. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss our high priority projects. I spent Thursday and Friday last week and the time while I was in flight, preparing for this meeting. Not sure what to expect, I wanted to make sure I was prepared. Two other team members had to travel to attend this meeting. The total attendees were nine (that included the locals and the out of towners). The meeting was scheduled for two hours. We started reviewing the first set of projects and I noticed that the Director, VP and Senior Manager did most of the talking, they rarely requested our input. The majority of the time, upper management did most of the talking amongst themselves. At one point, the VP stated, that if we do not get to all the projects, we can conclude on a conference call. I thought to myself, this meeting should have been conducted via conference call to begin with. I did manage to say one sentence in regards to my projects. Wow, just think, I woke up at 4:00am to catch a flight to a city over 400 miles away to say one sentence. At least they briefly skimmed over my projects, they did not even discuss the projects of my other traveling colleagues.

On the positive side, we got a free lunch and I got some time away from the office. Also, since I was prepared, I was not nervous or tense, because I tried to anticipate all their questions before hand.

Tip of the day: It is better to be overprepared, for any major meeting. You will be more relaxed and at ease because you will be prepared for any questions that come your way.

Typical Corporate America

The other day someone forwarded the selection below to me in an e-mail. I decided to share it with you, because this scenario is an excellent example of Corporate America today. I am not sure who originally wrote this, but it is an accurate illustration of today's corporate culture.

A Japanese company (Toyota) and an American company (Ford) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile. The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing. Feeling a deeper study was in order, American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion. They advised, or course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing. Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the boat, greater incentive to work harder. It was called 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rower. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses. The next year, the Japanese won by two miles. Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses and the next year's racing team was outsourced to India.

Sadly, The End.

Here's something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US, claiming they can't make money paying American wages. Toyota has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US. The last quarter results: Toyota makes 4 billion in profits....Ford racked up 9 billion in losses.

Ford folks are still scratching their heads.

Being Tested

During these last few weeks, I have been stating how things are getting better since I had a shift in attitude. The books I have been reading have helped me change my outlook on things and taught me how to handle tough situations. Well these last couple of days, I have gone through a testing period to see how my new attitude can stand up to difficult situations.

Yesterday, I had a major disagreement with one of my colleagues on a conference call. The stress on this particular project was building up for the last couple of weeks and it finally came to a boiling point yesterday. After the call, I was "totally done" and I had enough. We had another call later that afternoon and I was still frustrated after the call earlier that day, that I kept quiet. When I went home yesterday, it was very hard for me to get my mind off of work, but I did not complain about the situation to family and friends. Later that night, I prayed and went to bed thinking that this was behind me. Well today, early this morning, I got hit with more bad news, our company announced pay cuts for all employees. All I could do was chuckle to myself and just be thankful that we did not get laid off. Just when I thought it was all over, I heard that the colleague that I "butted heads" with was still complaining (behind my back of course). Due to all the stress from yesterday and today, I decided to have a long lunch. After I ate, I noticed that my stomach felt queasy. So to top this day off, I became ill later this afternoon. Even though I went home early, I still managed to attend all my meetings. On the way home, something happened, it seemed like that negative energy was broken. It feels like it literally broke off in small pieces and flew off my body. I felt free. I was able to forget about all the problems from work. Yesterday I had a hard time shaking things off, but today, after all these troubles, I started to feel a sense of peace. Even now, as I write this, the anger and fear are gone. I am not angry at my co-workers and I do not feel a sense of fear about the upcoming pay cuts. I know that better days are ahead and God has a wonderful plan for my life.

I feel these troubles came in order to "test" me and apply all the knowledge that I have learned. How can you have a testimony without a test? Also, these situations help push and propel me to my destiny. Now I have an even stronger desire to escape Corporate America. One of my goals is to do some freelance writing. I intend to start doing some freelance writing; in addition I plan on looking for contract work. These are small steps to help me move toward my goal of escaping Corporate America.

Tip of the day: When you go through troubles and stress, you will experience some anger and discomfort at first, but do not wallow in it. Negative energy will hinder you from seeing things clearly. If your mind is clouded, how will you know what direction to take to reach your goals and dreams?