DOs and DON'Ts FOR E.M.P.L.O.Y.E.E.S.

DOs and DON'Ts FOR EMPLOYEES

SOME GUIDELINES FOR EVERYONE WHO ARE/ARE GOING TO BE, E.M.P.L.O.Y.E.E.S.
(Eternally Maltreated Permanently Loyal Overtly Yearning Ever Enthusiastic Slaves)

1) Always bend the rules, but don't break them:

You will not learn anything otherwise. Be prepared to never grow in life. The only way to learn the limits in life is to test them. Don't break the rules but do test what they are and more importantly, whether you can bear to break/bend/tamper with them. Each person has a unique way of learning. Know your limits.

2) Question your manager:

That is what he is there for. A good manager does not mind your questioning him. On the contrary, that helps both him and you to grow. Even Gods have feet of clay. And remember, he was once in your shoes. Remind him that they pinch sometimes. Not at every opportunity, but don't let him forget that they do hurt.

3) Manage your manager:

This is not as sinister as it sounds. Take the time to understand your manager; his expectations, his personality, his vision of where the team is headed, his vision of you. This will happen if you follow the immediate preceding point. Orient yourself in sync with his goals. When you and your manager share goals, it will be a more productive relationship for both of you and the team. You get a better deal, a better work environment and feel better. Everybody benefits.

4) Learn to say “No”:

Reams have been and will be written on this point. If somebody, and that person might be your colleague, your boss or your significant other, makes a demand on you which is such a strong demand, that you feel you cannot or will not be able to meet it, say no. It is a hard decision, but the only way to help you achieve equilibrium in your life. Every person you know has certain demands on you. But it is up to you to moderate those demands. Else, you will be exhausted and unable to satisfy anyone, least of all, yourself.

5) Work is only one dimension of life:

I have been lucky to work with colleagues that are both serious about the work and yet can laugh at it (and themselves). It is an important skill because work is but one dimension of life and the minute you elevate it above others, it is you who is the loser (and the worse for it.) Your manager will be singing, "I'm loving it", but you will start losing it.

6) Value people:

This is probably the most important rule to remember in the current work environment. A person is a multi-dimensional, multi-skilled being. Reducing his worth to Evaluation scores, Sales figures, etc. devalues him, his skills. It is not drastically different from prostitution, which does just that. Appreciate each person for who he or she is. None of us have formed either friendships or work partnerships on that basis. Why? Because as people, we look at intrinsic skills and personalities, not at notional numerical values.

7) Don't mollycoddle your subordinates:

It does not benefit them any. Not being firm with them will buy you peace in the short-term, but at the cost of your own and his growth. Also, not being strict will ultimately undermine your own authority. If disciplinary action is needed, so be it. If remedial action is required, implement it.

8) Remember you are unique so is your growth:

No two human beings are the same. And just as you are different from everyone else, so is your growth path. Find your own growth path. Do not borrow somebody else's. More likely than not, it won't fit.

9) Be passionate about your job:

This might sound like a silly statement, but keep in mind that even if you are promoted (or move to) to a job that you dislike (or are uncomfortable with), you will be dissatisfied with yourself and it is very hard to do a good job when you hate it. I was passionate about my job, hence no matter who was scrutinizing me or evaluating me, even if I faltered I told myself to get up and try again and I loved every moment of doing that.

The above guidelines have been inspired (read, copied word by word) from a farewell letter written for her colleagues, by a wonderful and talented woman, whom I never met but always heard a great deal about, from her acquaintances.

All errors and humour is mine, and the sensible advise is hers.

I publish these gems in the hope that you will benefit from it as much as I and many others did.

-- Tarun Kumar