The Grump Factor
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You are sitting at your desk, reading your email and open the latest missive
from your boss. Once again the bonehead has come up with a new direction for
your company. You clear your throat and ask the person next to you "Have you
seen what the idiot has sent us now?." In the cafeteria you sit with your
co-workers grossing about how stupid this company is. But this doesn't just
happen today. Everyday you find yourself at odds with the management. And while
you have always been a "good soldier" and done exactly what was asked of you,
you can't help but let your feelings be known.
Or perhaps you are the more silent type. Sighing, rolling your eyes, and
simply showing through your body language that you are greatly put upon.
You might think that if you are really good at your job, and you do
everything that has been asked of you that you will remain, in the eyes of your
employer, a valuable member of the team.
However, in these times of cutbacks, more and more employers are considering
the "grump factor." Simply put, the grump factor is a measure of how difficult
it is to deal with an employee. How grumpy you are.
Recently a Fortune 500 company had to make a 20% cut in their workforce. The
management chose the people that were going to be laid off. Every single
employee was a hard worker, in fact some off them were the best at what they
did. Each employee tried to figure out why THEY were chosen? What was the reason
that the more incompetent employees were left standing while they were let go?
Was it that they earned more money? Was it a personal vendetta against them? Was
it sexism or ageism? Each employee failed to look at where the blame lay. Which
was at their own feet. In a discussion with the management they stated that they
used the "grump factor." Employees that had a bad attitude were considered
expendable.
Obviously when it comes time to downsize many factors are considered. But
more and more employers want to work with people who are easy to deal with.
Employees who love what they do, and show others that they love it. I am not
talking about a saccharine sweet phony attitude, I mean a sincere joy.
When Barbara Walters is asked by young people "What do I have to do to get
ahead?"
She tells them "Don't complain, don't whine. Just make yourself so good that
they cannot let you go. And don't be afraid to get the coffee if they ask you to
get the coffee."
Not sure if you're being perceived as a grump, take this simple test.
Do you find yourself very easily identifying problems with your company
and/or co workers?
Do you share that information with others? (including family, friends ,
co-workers)
Do you discount possible solutions as unworkable?
Is your criticism a validation of your over all perspective?
Do you often hear others with similar complaints?
Do you lend a willing ear to their complaints?
Do you sigh, roll your eyes or otherwise display your negative feelings using
body language or tone of voice?
Are your creating less because of your displeasure?
Are you late to work or meetings?
Do you resent helping others finish their work?
Are you waiting for a change to happen?
Has anyone pointed out your negative behavior?
Do you have "good reasons" to be unhappy at work?
If you answered yes to more than 3 of these questions you may be a grump. I
can guarantee that you will limit your growth unless you work on turning your
attitude around.
Today, look at the three things you like best about your job. Try and focus
on the good. Let others see and hear your positive comments. Start turning it
around today.
Laurie Brown is an international speaker, trainer and consultant who works to
help people improve their sales, service and presentation skills. She is the
author of The Teleprompter Manual, for Executives, Politicians, Broadcasters and
Speakers. Laurie can be contacted through
http://www.thedifference.net, or 1-877.999.3433, or at
lauriebrown@thedifference.net
