Tired of sleeping on the couch?

Interesting title I know but I’ve always considered myself an unconventional recruiter. As you read further, you’ll come to understand the use of my playful language in the title 😉

I have always said recruiting is a match-making process of sorts, of course from the lens of an employer and potential employee. It’s a relationship. Unfortunately, sometimes we don’t fully understand where we stand with our employers, especially if you receive an average performance rating or you’ve been receiving the same rating for the past 2-3 years. Just like a personal relationship you may wonder if, why and how you landed in the dog/cat house or why your partner has sent you to sleep on the couch this evening. Living and working in such a state can be extremely demotivating, and you might find the worse version of yourself making an appearance like a peeping Tom to you and those around you. The "new/ down and out you" could look like self-isolation, being temperamental, removed from extra contribution office activities, strictly maintaining your work hours and basically negativity in the flesh! Some may also refer to this behaviour as "Quiet quitting". So how do we get out of the dog/cat house?

From my experience, there’s quite a few questions you can and need to ask:

1. Is your performance outstanding? Are you even meeting your targets/ OKRs/ KPIs? If not start there because there’s a strong correlation between high performance and manager- subordinate relationships.
2. Align with your direct manager through a conversation. What’s working and what’s not working and most importantly why? Have you shared your values with your manager? Your wider team? Being vulnerable especially with your colleagues is not easy, but it opens you up for stronger relationships be it in the workplace or in your personal life.
3. Let’s assume the above is done and dusted - you’ve shared your personal values and dealbreakers you seem to feel they are being simply disregarded or obviously ignored, what do you do then?

• 3.1 If you are an astrology-oriented person and happen to be a water sign, luck you! Go with the flow, adjust and accept your situation and possibly the fact that you need a different set of values to survive or even thrive in your organization, field of expertise and even a wider scope - your industry.
• 3.2 I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you need to start exploring other opportunities internally (i.e.another department/role from your current) or externally… “Go where you can be celebrated not merely tolerated” Paul F Davis. 

Moral of the week: Firstly stay positive, it's easy being down in the dumps but remember "the energy you put out, is the energy you will receive", just like the book "The Secret by Rhonda Byrne". Do your due dilligence to see if there is hope and a practical way to get out of the dog house. If not make realistic plans to ensure you are not caught flat-footed when that dreaded email or phonecall comes through with a pink slip or a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan)!

For personal career coaching contact me on: Gathoni.mw@gmail.com