🚀 Vivek embarked on a new journey at ABC Inc. as Group Product Manager. His prior stint was with a mature global firm with a very people-friendly culture. In contrast, ABC Inc. was known for its aggressive culture – long work hours, type A personalities etc.
Within months, things started going south. Feedback from stakeholders was that he was “not up to the mark” and they were not “seeing” output. Often, his behaviours clashed with the aggressive company culture. Despite Vivek’s best efforts to drive metrics and results, he grappled with feelings of inadequacy.
Analysis:::
Vivek felt lost and was uncertain about his survival in the organization. He turned to a coach for help. The Coach diagnosed the problem deep diving into uncomfortable situations at work.
What transpired was as follows – The company had a “posting culture” where people frequently shared their work/impact with people higher in the organization. The senior management expected the same from the employees. Contrastingly, Vivek had the belief that “work should speak for itself” and had been off the radar in sharing his work widely.
With this realization, he acknowledged the futility of his belief in the current work environment.
Action taken:::
He began sharing updates and timelines proactively, breaking free from his comfort zone. Surprisingly, people responded positively to these updates and supported him when he needed help.
To overcome his introverted nature, he set himself an arbitrary but challenging goal: sending 10 emails a day. With each passing day, he pushed past his inhibitions, gradually building his communication muscle over emails, 1:1s etc.
Result:::
Despite no significant change in his outputs, the perception of Vivek among stakeholders underwent a dramatic transformation. His efforts were recognized, culminating in a well-deserved promotion. The biggest gift was the boost to his confidence – he could now succeed in challenging work environments.
Learnings:::
1. In matrix and complex organizations, “Work should speak for itself” doesn’t always work well. If you think you are skilled and doing your job well but do not get the required recognition, it is quite possible that a) you focus on the wrong priorities and/or b) you are not giving enough visibility to your work.
2. The biggest growth for individuals happens in the face of failures. Being adaptable in the face of adversity can lead to fast-tracked growth and related recognition.
3. One’s willingness to adapt their approach, even if it means challenging one’s own beliefs, will be instrumental in the turnaround.
Credit cookies:::
Years later, Vivek, despite his successes, found himself questioning his journey. He realized that the corporate game, while rewarding, wasn’t bringing him the fulfilment he sought. And so, Vivek bid farewell to ABC Inc., in search of greener pastures.
