Does anyone here frequently get the feeling that the work that you do and your contribution to your organization is insignificant? That you are just a "drop in the bucket"? a tiny wheel in a gigantic clockwork that is easily replaceable?
I guess after working a couple of years in one place, you start realizing that things are usually out of your control and all these years you have either been a firefighter or a janitor who has cleaned up after the mess your organization has created for it's customers. The fact that your revolutionary vision and ideas are often superseded by what's more profitable for your organization and what crap the customers want.
How do you fight these thoughts? What motivates you to go to work every morning? (i mean other than the fact that you need to provide for you family and pay the bills).
I guess i've seen "Office Space"way too many times. :emsmilep:
How do you stay professionally motivated?
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Desi_by_Nature
- Posts: 772
- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:57 pm
How do you stay professionally motivated?
Wierd that you post this. I feel Exactly the same. God knows why I feel like this. Maybe, almost all are replaceable. I think most CEO's, most managers, VP, CTO's and CFO's are replacable. The only non-replacables are some key innovators. But paycheck and the power we excercise is not necessarily in proportion to our importance.
Anyways, DBN, I don't have any answers for you, I will, in fact, be wathcing this thread for the answers myself.
Anyways, DBN, I don't have any answers for you, I will, in fact, be wathcing this thread for the answers myself.
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Desi_by_Nature
- Posts: 772
- Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:57 pm
How do you stay professionally motivated?
ssppss ...always nice to hear from more weirdos like myself. :emsmilep:
Anyway ..sometimes I feel that atleast VPs and C executives have a say in the direction they want to lead and the organization's success is directly dependent on the decisions they make. They have the power to bring about change.
If I am a COO/CTO and I think that some new function will be beneficial for the organization, I have enough power to bring in a team of people to work towards that goal and show results. However as a manger/director I have to follow orders received from above even though I may not agree with them - and if not me, they can easily find someone else who will work like a blind,deaf,dumb monkey and follow orders.
So perhaps a C executive might have a higher level of job satisfaction than managers and staff?
There are a lot of progressive organizations that boast of fostering independent thinking, and creativity, enouraging leadership development etc. , but I always wonder if that is truly achieveable in large organizations - say like Microsoft, GE, Citigroup etc.?
I mean you could be a sr. manager or director at a company like that and it might have taken you 10-15-20 years of hard work to get there - but still you'd be one among hundreds if not thousands of others like you with the similar responsibilities in the organization. So what's the real value of your job? yes professionally speaking you have a cool title, people see you as a successful person - but how can you value yourself, convince yourself that you are bringing about change, and stay motivated if you are one voice among hundreds?
Anyway ..sometimes I feel that atleast VPs and C executives have a say in the direction they want to lead and the organization's success is directly dependent on the decisions they make. They have the power to bring about change.
If I am a COO/CTO and I think that some new function will be beneficial for the organization, I have enough power to bring in a team of people to work towards that goal and show results. However as a manger/director I have to follow orders received from above even though I may not agree with them - and if not me, they can easily find someone else who will work like a blind,deaf,dumb monkey and follow orders.
So perhaps a C executive might have a higher level of job satisfaction than managers and staff?
There are a lot of progressive organizations that boast of fostering independent thinking, and creativity, enouraging leadership development etc. , but I always wonder if that is truly achieveable in large organizations - say like Microsoft, GE, Citigroup etc.?
I mean you could be a sr. manager or director at a company like that and it might have taken you 10-15-20 years of hard work to get there - but still you'd be one among hundreds if not thousands of others like you with the similar responsibilities in the organization. So what's the real value of your job? yes professionally speaking you have a cool title, people see you as a successful person - but how can you value yourself, convince yourself that you are bringing about change, and stay motivated if you are one voice among hundreds?
How do you stay professionally motivated?
Desi_by_Nature;59207ssppss ...always nice to hear from more weirdos like myself. :emsmilep:
Anyway ..sometimes I feel that atleast VPs and C executives have a say in the direction they want to lead and the organization's success is directly dependent on the decisions they make. They have the power to bring about change.
If I am a COO/CTO and I think that some new function will be beneficial for the organization, I have enough power to bring in a team of people to work to wards that goal and show results. However as a manger/director I have to follow orders received from above even though I may not agree with them - and if not me, they can easily find someone else who will work like a blind,deaf,dumb monkey and follow orders.
So perhaps a C executive might have a higher level of job satisfaction than managers and staff?
There are a lot of progressive organizations that boast of fostering independent thinking, and creativity, encouraging leadership development etc. , but I always wonder if that is truly achievable in large organizations - say like Microsoft, GE, Citigroup etc.?
I mean you could be a sr. manager or director at a company like that and it might have taken you 10-15-20 years of hard work to get there - but still you'd be one among hundreds if not thousands of others like you with the similar responsibilities in the organization. So what's the real value of your job? yes professionally speaking you have a cool title, people see you as a successful person - but how can you value yourself, convince yourself that you are bringing about change, and stay motivated if you are one voice among hundreds?[/quote]
DBN, I think it all depends on how you see 'power', As a CEO/CTO one has power to change the direction of the company, and that is his day today job, as an Engineer you have power to write/not write optimal code. As director one gets directions from higher management on 'what to do' but upper management usually does not direct on 'how to do', the power of making it happen lies with the Director. Mostly Director has power of deciding 'who will do the work', 'where work will be done', 'Direction on processes' etc, the point is a Director may not make it to newspaper headlines but that does not mean he is powerless and less independent.
I think you cannot define succes only when you are in position to lead a company, succes can be in a particular tech areas as well, generally folks like 'Chief Scientist' or 'Chief technologists' don't make decisions on where company is going next... does that say that they donot bring about change? or they have less louder voice?
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Chicago Desi
- Posts: 1642
- Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:24 am
How do you stay professionally motivated?
Motivation is an internal thing. External factors play a role, but its mostly internal.
One can always take initiative and do things in a different way, try something new, learn new skills and network with folks to expand one's horizons and job description.
Most company goals seem top down, but you can ask for leeway to do things that you want to do. Volunteer for projects way outside the scope of your role. Most managers encourage that and like it when employees take that initiative. By volunteering for projects that excite you, you can network with people you do not meet through your job, increase your circle of influence and enjoy something you care about.
Find a mentor within the company who is in a position you would like to be in in 5 years. Meet with them on a bi-weekly or monthly basis for lunch. Get to know them and learn some tricks of the trade. Its very invigorating.
Network with people outside the company who do what you do. Each company has its own culture and way of doing things. When you network and share notes, you learn something which may help you do your current job better and also open new opportunities for you within or outside the company. Use linkedin to find old classmates in similar positions, or folks who you do not know but would like to know.
If you treat your job and the whole corporate environment a game, it can become very fascinating and fun. Most successful people treat it that way, they just enjoy the game like a game of chess. If you don't, you can get burnt out pretty quickly.
One can always take initiative and do things in a different way, try something new, learn new skills and network with folks to expand one's horizons and job description.
Most company goals seem top down, but you can ask for leeway to do things that you want to do. Volunteer for projects way outside the scope of your role. Most managers encourage that and like it when employees take that initiative. By volunteering for projects that excite you, you can network with people you do not meet through your job, increase your circle of influence and enjoy something you care about.
Find a mentor within the company who is in a position you would like to be in in 5 years. Meet with them on a bi-weekly or monthly basis for lunch. Get to know them and learn some tricks of the trade. Its very invigorating.
Network with people outside the company who do what you do. Each company has its own culture and way of doing things. When you network and share notes, you learn something which may help you do your current job better and also open new opportunities for you within or outside the company. Use linkedin to find old classmates in similar positions, or folks who you do not know but would like to know.
If you treat your job and the whole corporate environment a game, it can become very fascinating and fun. Most successful people treat it that way, they just enjoy the game like a game of chess. If you don't, you can get burnt out pretty quickly.
How do you stay professionally motivated?
Desi_by_Nature;59207ssppss ...always nice to hear from more weirdos like myself. :emsmilep:
Anyway ..sometimes I feel that atleast VPs and C executives have a say in the direction they want to lead and the organization's success is directly dependent on the decisions they make. They have the power to bring about change.
If I am a COO/CTO and I think that some new function will be beneficial for the organization, I have enough power to bring in a team of people to work towards that goal and show results. However as a manger/director I have to follow orders received from above even though I may not agree with them - and if not me, they can easily find someone else who will work like a blind,deaf,dumb monkey and follow orders.
So perhaps a C executive might have a higher level of job satisfaction than managers and staff?
[/quote]
Each one has worries/challenges at their own levels. You say that C executives have more power. At the same time they have high risk and worries also. Even at that level you have to take decisions based on situations, pressure etc. You mentioned about customer dictating your actions in your post. At C level the customer becomes a bigger factor. Look at the outgoing Merrill Lynch CEO. He goes home after the subprime loss his company faced. He said while leaving, "One can't stop dancing until the music stops playing" meaning he can't stay away from what the rest of the banks or peers were doing during the subprime mess. There are innumerable examples of C executives falling on the wayside for reasons that are unavoidable or political. Carly Fiorina is another name that comes to mind. The board of directors boosted her and then made her a scapegoat. (Ironically the director who kicked her out Patricia Dunn, got kicked out next). The C executives also face media and general public's ill feeling when they fail. Now, you are woried about small dissatisfaction at work. Think how it will feel when your neighbors and the people you come across every day thinks you are a failure. That is the fate of at least some C executives today. I know you will respond that they have enough to be happy even when they fail but they will always compare themselves against their peers.
I can see only one big plus point in being a C executive. That is the money.
[quote]
How do you fight these thoughts? What motivates you to go to work every morning? (i mean other than the fact that you need to provide for you family and pay the bills).
[/quote]
I can mention a few elements that could keep a person motivated other than the exellent points other people already provided.
You should pick a job you enjoy doing. The job may vary from person to person. A friend of mine is in the office day/night and holidays. He enjoys what he is doing and gets excited when we talk about the work. He is doing technical work. That motivates him. For you it could be something else.
Make sure that you are working for a good boss. Some boss are crooked, political and waiting to find scapegoats. Then work becomes disgusting. Try to find a boss who himself enjoys what he is doing and will be fair to you.
Try to create a mark or distinction for yourself in the job you are doing. Something that is spectacular or some aspect that people remember you as the best and come to you. This may make you feel special. This will help in your job security also.
Be positive and stay positive. This is very important. The positive energy is infectious. Choose a work environment that has positive energy.
Finally, if you really want freedom, be your own boss. Start a business.
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Ace Novice
- Posts: 514
- Joined: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:17 am
How do you stay professionally motivated?
Highly motivated people are self motivated and driven to do better than the clockwatchers. They are energized by the satisfaction of making a discernible difference within their sphere of life.
Demotivation arises when one is discontent with the nature or extent of their sphere of influence. I will first address the issue of dissatisfaction with the size of the sphere. The size of your sphere of influence is an equilibrium between your ambition and attributes. The better your attributes, the more likely you have a large sphere of influence. If your sphere of influence is small or worse (as with the President of India), one has to power up the attributes and ambition.
Secondly, with regard to the nature of the sphere, it depends on your career choice. If, like most, you ended up in your profession courtesy of increasingly egregious choices, then chances are pretty good you wonder if there is a better life elsewhere. Alternatives for this malady include pursuit of a different career and/ or a complementary vocation/ avocation, whether compensated or not.
Finally, there is a philosophical take with respect to professional ambition. Every individual has a station along the path of insignificance. A CEO and a clerk are both insignificant but not within their spheres of influence. Your mission, should you choose to undertake it, is to enlarge your sphere, change your sphere, or become a philosopher. Like the good things in life, this message is free and will not self destruct.
Demotivation arises when one is discontent with the nature or extent of their sphere of influence. I will first address the issue of dissatisfaction with the size of the sphere. The size of your sphere of influence is an equilibrium between your ambition and attributes. The better your attributes, the more likely you have a large sphere of influence. If your sphere of influence is small or worse (as with the President of India), one has to power up the attributes and ambition.
Secondly, with regard to the nature of the sphere, it depends on your career choice. If, like most, you ended up in your profession courtesy of increasingly egregious choices, then chances are pretty good you wonder if there is a better life elsewhere. Alternatives for this malady include pursuit of a different career and/ or a complementary vocation/ avocation, whether compensated or not.
Finally, there is a philosophical take with respect to professional ambition. Every individual has a station along the path of insignificance. A CEO and a clerk are both insignificant but not within their spheres of influence. Your mission, should you choose to undertake it, is to enlarge your sphere, change your sphere, or become a philosopher. Like the good things in life, this message is free and will not self destruct.
How do you stay professionally motivated?
DBN, in addition to some of the execllent suggestions above,
1) How is your relationsip with your direct manager i.e does his/her management style motivate/demotivate you ?
Different management styles suit diffeerent employees. As example competitive style - this suits some employees as they will not usually give their best until they see a competition while it may not suit others who may see competition as a threat for their survival. Similr things with pressure, appreciation of work done etc.
You may need to observe, have a chat with your manager to find out the style he/she is using and see if that suits you. If not you may want to tell your manager in an informal one2one, face2face meeting that you will feel more motivated with an alternative approach (the alternative you feel comfortable with).
2) How is you social life ? i.e do you have a social life outside work or do you mainly socialise with coworkers ?
How do you your co-workers appear to you - very competitive/tensed/relaxed/insecured/easy to trust ?
3) Finally, if you are looking for satisfaction out of the work you do then you may want to analyse if your expectation is realistic ? Is it really in the limits of your work.
Some jobs may be more creative than others. For eg. one our managers always used to say he found coding more creative than management. However, he is trying to explore the creative side of management as well.
1) How is your relationsip with your direct manager i.e does his/her management style motivate/demotivate you ?
Different management styles suit diffeerent employees. As example competitive style - this suits some employees as they will not usually give their best until they see a competition while it may not suit others who may see competition as a threat for their survival. Similr things with pressure, appreciation of work done etc.
You may need to observe, have a chat with your manager to find out the style he/she is using and see if that suits you. If not you may want to tell your manager in an informal one2one, face2face meeting that you will feel more motivated with an alternative approach (the alternative you feel comfortable with).
2) How is you social life ? i.e do you have a social life outside work or do you mainly socialise with coworkers ?
How do you your co-workers appear to you - very competitive/tensed/relaxed/insecured/easy to trust ?
3) Finally, if you are looking for satisfaction out of the work you do then you may want to analyse if your expectation is realistic ? Is it really in the limits of your work.
Some jobs may be more creative than others. For eg. one our managers always used to say he found coding more creative than management. However, he is trying to explore the creative side of management as well.
How do you stay professionally motivated?
This may be off tangent but I find that the feeling of meaningfulness in job is tied to how much one likes what they do, regardless of how important it is or not.
One of the things I have found is that you have to make these career change choices early. If you wait too long then it will be too late. Once you cross into your thirties you are pretty much tied to your line - be it programming or sales. You cannot now decide you would like to be a doctor or lawyer. So the options are either to find what you like early, or find a way to like what you do or put up with for the money, or be ready for some tough times. This is especially even more so true in India. The problem partly is the lack of counseling while growing up in India - I blindly went into engineering for example thinking getting into engineering is cool, and then after a few years and an MBA, I am interviewed by a BCom and tell him how much I love finance. If only I had done BCom in the first place:emembarrassed:
As for me - now I know what I would have liked to do but it is too late...:emteeth:. So I am trying to find a way to like what I do.
One of the things I have found is that you have to make these career change choices early. If you wait too long then it will be too late. Once you cross into your thirties you are pretty much tied to your line - be it programming or sales. You cannot now decide you would like to be a doctor or lawyer. So the options are either to find what you like early, or find a way to like what you do or put up with for the money, or be ready for some tough times. This is especially even more so true in India. The problem partly is the lack of counseling while growing up in India - I blindly went into engineering for example thinking getting into engineering is cool, and then after a few years and an MBA, I am interviewed by a BCom and tell him how much I love finance. If only I had done BCom in the first place:emembarrassed:
As for me - now I know what I would have liked to do but it is too late...:emteeth:. So I am trying to find a way to like what I do.
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anony_mouse
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:35 pm
How do you stay professionally motivated?
Being a VP and part-owner of a decent sized company, I can tell you from the experience that its a myth that VPs and C-executives have more job satisfaction. We all have to answer to somebody. VPs are answerable to CEO and CEOs are answerable to the investors !!
Investors, in turn, depend on their limited partners (people who give them money) who are usually large funds with their own money mangers, CEO and Board (and the cycle repeats !!).
In the end the whole system has to answer to the market and political system !!
The important thing is to understand that we all are cogs in this machine and none of us can really impact it too much.
Instead of finding job satisfaction in how much we impact this machine, my strategy is to focus on what is important for me. I have realized that I am a highly ambitious person and what gives me most satisfaction is to:
Earn as much as money and fame as possible without compromising on the love of my family and the respect of my peers and friends.
Now, what we find satisfaction in could be totally different for different people and is highly personal and perhaps cannot be truly justified to another human being. But, I think, in the end thats the only thing that matters !!
Investors, in turn, depend on their limited partners (people who give them money) who are usually large funds with their own money mangers, CEO and Board (and the cycle repeats !!).
In the end the whole system has to answer to the market and political system !!
The important thing is to understand that we all are cogs in this machine and none of us can really impact it too much.
Instead of finding job satisfaction in how much we impact this machine, my strategy is to focus on what is important for me. I have realized that I am a highly ambitious person and what gives me most satisfaction is to:
Earn as much as money and fame as possible without compromising on the love of my family and the respect of my peers and friends.
Now, what we find satisfaction in could be totally different for different people and is highly personal and perhaps cannot be truly justified to another human being. But, I think, in the end thats the only thing that matters !!