As I wrap up a shorter work week that feels like it has been drowning
in unfortunate news, it has become increasingly more difficult to ever sweat
the small stuff.
So, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge someone most people may
take for granted. I’d like to shine the
light on the everyday hero who’s unnoticed in most workplaces. But, before we get to that, let’s quickly run
down some of the more notable work personalities that remind many of us why we
love the workplace hero even more.
Short-Term Memory Person (STMP)
An example of the STMP is the individual who has heard your idea ten
times, but when he or she hears it for the 11th time and usually from
another source, the information is retained.
Only then does it become a “brilliant idea.”
Sure, I get that many of us are performing a juggling act and have a
million tasks to stay ahead of and manage, but many of the STMPs have less
responsibilities than some of their peers and direct reports. It also is common that they have a
stay-at-home spouse. Is it unreasonable
to expect that the STMP exercise the courtesy of actively listening to others?
Peer Who Needs Assistant
These individuals are similar to the STMP. They can’t seem to do a lick of anything
independently. I’ve seen grown men
demand that their assistants pour their Cheerios and milk. I wish I were joking.
God bless the assistants, because if it were not for them, the person
in need of an assistant couldn’t manage a calendar or remember a single
meeting, their first born’s med school graduation, nothing.
As usual, they juggle less than you do, but somehow, they’ve justified
the need for an assistant. Thanks, “Out
of Touch” manager. See next personality.
Out of Touch Manager (OTM)
The OTM is the boss who doesn’t bother to understand or remember what
you do, in spite of historically high performance numbers, nor does this
“leader” remember that you work late, come in early and complete work that’s
outside of your scope of responsibility (and with enthusiasm J). Therefore, this person has no idea how
valuable you are. Good luck!
Perhaps what’s even worse is that the OTM never sees how useless the
Peer Who Needs Assistant is.
The HiPPO is the SME
As we all know, the highest paid person's opinion (HiPPO) isn’t synonymous with
expertise on everything. Therefore, this
individual may have spent 20 years in magazine advertising and be the highest
paid person in the room, but that doesn’t mean he or she should be signing off
on UX and UI experiences. Please stop
kidding yourself and do the company and team a favor. Trust your actual SMEs.
The Workplace Narcissist (WN)
Oh, my favorite…
Sure, we have to look out for ourselves. A close friend of mine (excellent workplace
hero example) has always questioned why business schools don’t teach some of
the most important lessons to MBAs. The
lessons, to name a couple of examples, consist of CYA techniques and business
politics navigation. I cannot agree
more.
Although it’s one thing to self-protect, it’s another thing to ignore
the greater needs of the organization and your team members to only self-serve. The Workplace Narcissist never cares that you’re
a great employee for the company and a potentially productive partner for him or her. If you
outshine him or her in any way, WN wants you out, and he or she will do
whatever necessary to humiliate and impugn you to your boss.
It never fails to amaze me that the WN is a parent. Gosh, those poor kids. However, it’s never surprising to learn that many
WNs dislike animals.
Workplace Hero (WH)
Yes, I realize there are many more work personalities that we can
review, but this brings us to the Workplace Hero.
The WH is, generally, the person who is seasoned and has been
mistreated by the above personalities.
Somehow, this person still emerges out of the dirt as a thoughtful human
being who is courageous enough to speak for the underdog. He or she never fails to make decisions for
the good of the organization and looks out for other good employees.
Recently, one of my peers did something that left me speechless. Although he has endured many years of b.s.
politics and workplace injustices, he still doesn’t look out for number
one. Instead, he wanted to help me
develop a strategy that aimed towards my continued success. I’m in awe that someone would offer their time
so selflessly for me.
I’ve had the good fortune to work with a few WHs, over the years. It doesn’t surprise me that some have become my
dearest friends. However, to the others,
I want them to know that their generosity and kindness do not go
unnoticed. I may not be the sentimental,
mushy type, but I am so thankful for these people for watching my back and the
backs of others. You are extraordinary.
If you’ve been blessed to know the rare Workplace Hero, don’t take them
for granted.
