Trigger Question #166:
What should you do when they tell you during your job interview that “we are like a family here”? Run like hell!
Why do I say that? Well, there are many “crimes against employees” committed under the guise of “we’re like a family.” Do an online search using phrases like “we’re a family at work” and read for yourself. Or use your intuition based on your own family experience. (Do you really want another parent, this one at work?)
Remember, there is a formal contract between employee and employer for good reason. (I suspect many family relationships would improve if there were formal family contracts as well. Excluding the “you’re fired” bit.)
And why is there a contract at work? Because you agree in advance to do certain tasks for a specified amount of money during certain hours. Your employer promises to help you perform those tasks (by removing unnecessary obstacles, by providing training, and so on), commits to make sure there is money in the bank to pay you, and agrees to let you rest and recover during your off-work hours.
So far, so professional. But then, over time, familiarity breeds, if not contempt, then warm relationships. Your boss becomes friendlier with some employees and shows less empathy towards others. Some people get away with poor performance, take more time off, and get cushier assignments. Others? Not so much. Congratulations! You now have sibling rivalry, I mean, employee jealousies at work.
Relax. It’s just human nature. Which is why, if you want to be the sort of boss who top performers choose to work for, you had better suppress this part of your human nature. At least at work.
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m all for being a sensitive and empathetic boss. But not if team performance suffers because you are too nice to give firm feedback when and where needed.
There are few things that move top performers out the door faster than an over empathetic boss. One who cannot hold people accountable.
Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.
. . .
Quote of the Moment: “I could have been an empath, but there was work to be done.” The Chief Nonsense Officer.
. . .