SUNDAY THOUGHTS: ON THE JOB

Have you ever wondered why you were asked to undertake a particular task, as opposed to someone else? 

Was the timing odd? 

Was the request urgent? Were the circumstances overrun with red flags?

Before one begins boasting, speculating, or celebrating one's abilities, importance, or position, one should know, in detail, the circumstances that facilitated one's presence on the job. 

Don't become preoccupied, or allow information to hinder you from being effective, but it may be beneficial to know:

1. Who was in the running?

2. Who preceded you on the job?

3. Why they are no longer there? 

4. Are you being compensated fairly?

Remember, you can't make an informed, or intelligent assessment without considering all sides of an issue. 

Competent, skilled people don't just quit, decline, or disappear for no reason. There's a backstory on why people respectfully pass on what others consider great opportunities, and it's not always because they're too busy. Perhaps they know something about the work environment that you don't. 

Business is often messy. One should consider that being asked doesn't always indicate preference or favor of one's skills set. It may be that others have been sought, but have refused to endure known dysfunction, worrisome behavior, weak leadership, poor, inconsistent, or dishonest business practices, abuse, unrealistic expectations, or untenable working conditions.

Know what you're getting into. 

Keep your eyes and ears open. 

Remember, even when it doesn't seem so, you always have a choice.

Sometimes, by their own words and behavior, many leaders, managers, supervisors, or employers forfeit, repel, and exhaust willing, faithful, capable, and available options, and have no choice than to enlist the aid of clueless, mediocre, gullible, desperate, overly ambitious individuals--or like-minded opportunists. 

It's never good to find out that the only reason you've been enlisted, was because you came cheaply, or because astute others said an emphatic, "No thanks".

On any job, do your part, do your very best, (and by all means, get that coin!), but be very aware when you have been invited to be pawn in a scheme to hurt, humiliate, insult, ostracize, demean, embarrass, show up, antagonize, or lure someone else. 

If they'll do it to them, they'll do it to you. 

Don't ever get cozy and comfortable around ruthless people. Don't turn a blind eye and ignore red flags that signal inconsistency, lack of integrity, bullying, etc. 

Pay attention to how others are treated, and don’t ever think your turn isn’t coming.

Never blur the line between friendship and business. 

Be clear about what you will and won't do. 

Have expectations. Maintain your standards. 

If the infamous "They" have their business hats on, then, doggone it, you keep yours on, too. 

Perhaps the old adage is true. Perhaps one monkey doesn't stop a show, but if you're the newbie enlisted to keep the show going, don't get cocky. One day you may find yourself comparing notes with, and apologizing to the smart “monkey” who got away.