Don't Be A Loyal ASS For Your Employer!

If Andrew Mason, founder of the multi-million dollar empire Groupon, can get fired the MINUTE his CEO performance dips, what chance do YOU have at retaining your mid-level, fungible, BS job - when the going gets rough?

In today's fast-paced job market, many professionals find themselves caught in the whirlwind of ambition and expectations. We aspire to climb the corporate ladder, achieve job security, and prove our worth through hard work. But there’s a crucial reality to face: if your last name doesn’t grace the front door of the company, your emotional commitment to your employer might need a rethink. Let’s delve into five compelling "Reality Checks" to maintain a healthy distance from your job.

Your Ass Can Be Downsized, Even If You Are a High Performer

I wasn't gratuitously using the word "ass" here. I am letting you know how Corporate America views you...

As a donkey! Let that sink in. You are nothing more than a pack mule, who will be put out to pasture, the second you can't carry the load like you used to. Hee-haw. Employers rarely reward old asses for past fruits. They look for new asses to deliver the goods. That’s the game.

An empty office space reflects downsizing trends in companies.

Even top performers can find themselves on the chopping block when companies downsize. A budget cut or a new corporate direction can turn your accomplishments into a mere footnote in your history. This reality serves as a reminder to bolster emotional resilience, ensuring that your self-worth is not tied solely to your job performance. Questions to Consider * What good is being a top performer on a sinking ship? * Are you ignoring signs of your company contracting it's workforce? * Thus, are you staying on top of your company’s stock valuations, assuming they are a publicly traded company? * Are competitors going bankrupt? * What are the overall employment trends in your industry?

You Have No Final Decision-Making Power

Corporate decisions are often made far from the front lines. Typically, the CEO or board makes critical choices, leaving employees to implement those decisions without real influence. Research from the Harvard Business Review indicates that over 60% of employees feel their insights are overlooked in key discussions.

Recognizing this can bring clarity to your role in the organization. Ask yourself: how much control do I truly have over my career? This realization may prompt you to reconsider how much emotional energy you invest in company strategies when your ability to shape outcomes is limited. * Why should you go above your job description for a company that will not remember yesterday’s loyalty — and for a business you have no equity in or control over?

You Are Only as Good as Your Last Success

In business, accomplishments can quickly fade into memory.

The phrase “you’re only as good as your last success” rings especially true in many workplaces. For instance, if you knock a project out of the park today but underperform on the next, your past triumphs may suddenly seem insignificant.

Employee evaluations often focus on the last 30 to 60 days of performance, creating a high-stakes environment that can lead to stress.

An abandoned project planning board signifies fleeting successes.

To counter this pressure, you should remember that your professional identity is more than your most recent achievement. By keeping emotional distance, you can maintain a strong self-concept, unaffected by the ebb and flow of corporate praise and criticism.

Corporate Work Is Ultimately Transactional

Most relationships in the workplace are transactional at their core. Companies hire you to complete tasks for a paycheck, often sidelining personal connections. Understanding this can help you see your job as a service rather than an emotional attachment.

In these environments, the interests of the business may not align with your personal goals. This transactional nature is vital to recognize. As priorities shift, it becomes crucial to manage your emotional investment wisely and focus on how your role serves your broader ambitions instead.

When it comes crashing down, will your employer return your loyalty?

What’s “Best for Business” May Not Be Best for Your Career

Companies constantly reroute their strategies based on market forces and profit margins. What’s good for the corporation may not serve your career aspirations. A Gallup study reveals that only 32% of employees feel engaged at work, illuminating a disconnect that can leave you feeling undervalued.

As organizations shift toward what is labeled “best for business,” your personal goals are often sidelined. This disconnect presents a unique opportunity: by treating your job as a stepping stone rather than your final destination, you can keep your options open for career paths that resonate more with your values and ambitions.

Understanding Your Career Landscape

Navigating the complexities of Corporate America is challenging, especially when forming emotional attachments to an employer that may not prioritize you. By recognizing that your last name does not rest on the door, you can liberate yourself from unnecessary emotional stress.

Being aware of these five realities can help safeguard your mental health and allow you to engage in your career while valuing yourself independent of your job title or recent performance. Remember, your worth extends beyond what you do for a living. It lies within you, ready to be tapped into for greater opportunities.

Embrace a mindset focused on self-preservation. Regularly evaluate your ambitions and keep a healthy distance from becoming overly defined by your corporate role. At the end of the day, you have the power to write your career story—don’t let the company script it for you. Whatever you do…don’t be a Corporate Overlord’s...used-up piece of ASS!

You are better than this!

Reference Famous CEO’s Who Got Fired