The future of work consists of learning a living.
Marshall McLuhan, Futurist
I paid my dues! I worked 60 hours last week! I bailed out my team! My company, church, school, government owes me. How many TV shows can we watch that glorifies the victim mentality? For the last two decades, the entitlement and victimization mentalities drove many. So and so owes me because I’ve been stressed, paid my dues, etc. The entitlement mentality is slowly eroding as we assume responsibility for our present and future employment.
The old entitlement mentality was the company owed me for any number of reasons. The new entitlement mentality is ‘I owe myself’ because if there’s an economic blip I know my organization will look out for itself instead of me to stay competitive. I may be out the door. So, it’s a two way street. I’ll look out for myself as much as I’ll look out for the company.
I thought most folks got this. But, I’m hearing the recessionary whining. Companies, executives, and people got their hand out for their bail out. This is not right. Folks failed. Folks made bad and even stupid decisions. Bad things happened and will continue to happen. Get real. Move on. Gut it out.
There seems to be large segments of the population, such as union members, professionals from all functional areas, managers, and even executives. They feel they are entitled. The big E word I thought had disappeared.
But, you say: ”I’ve vested” or “I’ve invested 20 years in the company.” The truth is usually painful. Functional areas are outsourced. Professional services are shopped for highest value. Union contracts are being voided.
Life Lesson Learned: Your company or your client does not owe you anything. Period. You are responsible for your career. Your boss isn’t responsible. Your company or employer isn’t.