How Workplaces Are Like Romantic Relationships
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The parallel between workplaces and romantic relationships.
A dynamic that draws a similar line between the two.
In a way, the relationship that exists between companies and employees has a similar dynamic to any romantic relationship: it can't be a one-sided dance if it’s going to be healthy and good.
If an employee is showing up well and contributing and earnestly working hard for the company but not being treated well, which can look like being compensated poorly, not feeling empowered, that leaders aren't kind, the company doesn’t really care about the employee or prioritize giving back to that employee. Then if they can, that employee should leave the relationship.
This goes both ways.
Likewise, this also applies for companies. If a company pays employees well, is intentional about employee experience and culture, has great leaders, asks for feedback, and creates a great place to work then the same is true. If an employee is showing up with a poor attitude, or stirring up drama and toxic behavior, or consistently way under performing, get rid of them and replace them with someone who wants to be there and will do well.
When it comes to workplaces, just like romantic relationships, it should be symbiotic. Both parties have to contribute if it’s going to be a healthy environment. It can't just be one person giving and making effort while the other is essentially a dud.
I will take this moment to acknowledge and recognize that there are dynamics and nuance to this conversation. Companies shouldn’t just fire people on a whim, and most people can't just up and quit their jobs on a whim. Regardless, the sentiment remains the same: if it's not great, then neither party owes it to the other to stay in that relationship.
Be with someone who wants to be there.
If you're in a romantic relationship with someone who gives little to no effort, they don't try and clearly don't care that much about the relationship, choose to be with someone that wants to be with you.
Same goes for work. If I'm an employee and I'm a valuable, intentional employee; I don't gossip or badmouth others, I don't create toxicity or drama, I try hard and actually care about customers and my own caliber of work and making the company successful then I deserve to be somewhere that I’m valued.
However, if the company doesn't show in any way that they care, compensation is low, leaders are not great (or straight up terrible), and I'm surrounded by poorly performing or toxic coworkers who don’t pull their weight and make my job harder, and there's no accountability and the company doesn't seem to care, then my best move is to get out of that relationship.
It’s about boundaries.
For employees and organizations, it comes down to what you allow for yourself. If I know that I'm an intentional, high caliber employee, I'm not going to allow myself to be treated like crap. And If I'm a company that takes care of employees, pays well and gives a lot back to the people making the company successful, I'm not going to accept having bad employees that don’t contribute well.
There's plenty of mediocre employees out there, and there are plenty of mediocre companies who don't care about their people. They’re perfect for each other. I say go find and be with each other.
In order to create an exceptional climate and culture for a team, the effort has to exist on both sides. It has to be a balance of giving.
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop