The ideal work environment
Many of us have never taken the time to reflect on what the ideal work environment is, rather we simply make do with what we are given. The work environment most use is antiquated, a model created during the Industrial Revolution. Working a set 40-hours a week, 8-hours a day, 5-days a week for 50-weeks a year is antiquated, and in all truth, does not work for the modern employee.
Hard work appeals to me. Working long hours, conquering challenges, overcoming obstacles makes my heart race. Telling someone what time to expect me, working through lunch, skipping breaks, just to meet a deadline excites me. Yet at the end of the day, telling me I have to work set times or stay until a certain time even though the job is complete does not suit my personality. Freedom to work hard, meet goals, and exceed expectations, while balancing my work life with my family life and personal life does suit me.
I realized this lesson years ago. Yes, hour-long lunch hours are amazing, but in all truth, I would rather take a 15-minute break to eat, get right back to work, and be able to leave early. When my daughter is out of school, I love to start work crazy early so I can have the afternoons to hang out, be a mom, and do cool art activities. It gives me the energy I need to start work at 5 am.
The real, professional me is an overachiever with high expectations and more goals than I can count. I love to stretch myself, learn new things, try new ways to do things, and live outside the box. This tenacity in my work has made me incredibly successful and good at what I do, as long as the work environment can adapt to me. You see, while I will give 125% to every job, I go hard, produce quality work, and move to the next goal does not work in every setting.
I was reminded of this lesson just this last week. If I understand what your expectations are if I understand what your priorities are, I will do whatever is needed to meet them. Finding creative solutions is my specialty. But, not every office wants, or values these skills, they may say they do, but so many leaders are scared of ingenuity and are intimidated by hard workers, that rather than adapt and learn how to manage them, how to use their skills to achieve great things, they strive to crush our spirits and put a damper on our lights. This phenomenon has not just happened to me, it has happened to several colleagues.
Learning to be comfortable managing tenacious employees is a challenge. I know, I have had to learn. But when you work with achievers, when you take the time to get to know them and what they need to be the best version of themselves possible, great and amazing things happen. The secret is to leave all egos at the door. At the end of the day, our employees should get the credit and recognition they deserve for their hard work. Leaders should be in the background, empowering staff, ensuring supplies are on hand, cheering people on, giving little pushes as needed, rolling up their sleeves to work right alongside their staff, inspiring them with their humble nature.
As the next generation of leaders, as the young leaders emerging on the set, we must make this practice a reality. We must learn that when an employee achieves a goal, we all achieve a goal. Leaving our egos at the door, recognizing our staff will have better answers than we do, is a lesson we must each perfect. Leaders should be seen as conductors, we guide, push, and praise. We accept and bear the consequences when a project fails, and we give our teams all the credit when they make magic happen. This is the true definition of a leader. Leaders should never receive praise, their praise comes when an employee surpasses them.
Sincerely,
Sara
