In her August 28 “Calling the Game” video, Bobbie LaPorte offers some helpful tips for leaders who are frustrated, unhappy, and underappreciated because they feel stuck—between a boss who doesn’t value them and demanding employees who expect to be constantly challenged and engaged.
Managing Underappreciation and High Expectations in the Workplace
Hi, this is Bobbie LaPorte, back with another week of “Calling the Game,” where I share my own experience and insights while giving you valuable tools you can use to call your own game…and plan the best moves for you and your team.
Lately it seems like every week a client shares that they are frustrated in their job, unsatisfied and unhappy. And I don’t think this is necessarily connected to the post-Covid workplace or even the current economic environment.
What is going in here?
They often say that they don’t feel like they are being acknowledged or valued – at a time when they are working very hard managing ongoing change, change, shifting priorities from the top, budget cutbacks, etc. – while also being expected to keep their teams challenged and engaged.
They feel like they are stuck between a seemingly ungrateful boss and employees who have unending expectations. Definitely not a fun place to be.
So, what can you do?
Well, everyone’s situation is different; but here are a couple of things to consider:
1. It’s very easy to get inside your head about all that is going on and begin to feel helpless, like you have no agency to change things. I am not diminishing the feelings you may have when you are stuck, but it’s rarely as bad as you think it is.
My advice: take time to step back, take a break, objectively evaluate what is working and not, what you have control over and not. Talk to a trusted colleague or advisor who can help you work through this and then make a plan to focus on what is within your control.
2. There is one thing that is definitely within your control – and that’s how you acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate the good work that you and your team are doing. There undoubtedly is progress being made.
Find opportunities each day and week to share the successes your team is achieving, to be more intentional about how you promote yourself and your team. These efforts can help to build support and advocacy for your work, give you perspective and brings some much-needed “light” into what can otherwise become a constant, dark mood.
The more you can gain perspective through actions like these, the more quickly you will develop an approach for your work that is healthy, positive and contagious for your staff. You owe it to yourself and them.
OK, that’s it for this week’s “Calling the Game.” Hope this helps you gear up for a great week and navigate any curveballs that may come your way!