...I wake up, sleepily make my way to the bathroom, turn the shower on and literally spin right round to vomit in the toilet. I hurl while the shower water is warming and then I’m hit with gut crushing dry heaves as the bathroom fills with steam. Clean up and then move on with the ritual of getting ready. I zone out during my drive in and home. On multiple occasions I’ve been alerted by other drivers for merging into their lanes but too closely to them and a couple of times, people have had to swerve out of the way just to avoid me. I’m generally unphased by this. I do my work...work which should be more meaningful than it is. Work that requires thought, attention to detail, adaptability, customer service, knowledge of the way things work and the ability to visualize and execute new ways of doing these things. The ability to lead the horses to water when they refuse to go because even though they’re thirsty, they fear what lurks in the murkiness. The ability to see the holes in the picture and fill the hole with something unique. Or to repair the damage temporarily by using a pallet which restores vibrance and reconstructs it to its more marketable and coveted state. More often than not, we see areas of business where we think ‘I would NEVER want to work there’. It’s too hard or too unfamiliar or it’s too demanding or because mobility isn’t an option or there’s a fear of failure. The areas we want to work in are those that help us grow - those that give us a sense of security and comfort. Where we are liked by the people whom we work alongside. Sometimes the growth is in small ways and in others, if you’re ambitious enough, it can be substantial. So many people have come and gone and one thing remains the same - “It’s the Safe-way (Albertsons way) not the Right-way”. It’s easy to sit back and think ‘I would do this differently and it would make everything better.’ And the crazy thing is, that’s not the wrong attitude or thought to have because you’re right. You can. But...only if ‘they let you’. And so, the cycle of the mundane and sickness will continue. The lonely limp dog you see, will lunge at you with a fierce snarl because it doesn’t trust you will help it. That’s become a good lot of people. People who had the ambition, desire, goals and positivity to put themselves out there only to have someone tear them down time and again. I will wake up and vomit and work and sleep and repeat. I will offer some ideas that will work and most that won’t. I will put in my time and pay my dues and then, I’ll wake up at ‘close to’ retirement age, only to be tossed away before I can retire peacefully. I will reflect on all those who supported me and all those who wished we never crossed paths. In that reflection, I will realize that the value I had to offer was never experienced by this company, but I will continue to hold onto hope that someone who genuinely wants to help people and in turn, help the company - will finally sit in the seat that I have worked my entire career trying to obtain. Someone who will not use the AV equipment to make heartless 30 second videos. Someone who doesn’t require a handler to move them on down the line like a drone as they shallowly shake hands and praise a job well done when that job is crippling that person who pushes through it. Someone who does not tolerate retaliation for speaking up and being honest about how challenging things can be, who is pushing for ‘real’ training and encourages collaboration to get the job done and done well. Who sees every mistake/error as an opportunity to grow and become better - to implore/empower that person to success. Who looks at the people who pour their hearts into their jobs as ‘individuals’, not a dollar amount. And someone who can see value and talent in every person regardless of long they have been with the company and how many people they know as a means of defining their sole worth and potential. To this company I say ‘Fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut and a smile on my face. I’ll let rumors swirl into your ears to deafen the truth. I’ll sit back and wait for my lay-off number to be drawn from the hat of “What are you worth to me today?”. Then I will quietly go on my way as things crumble behind me knowing that even if given any real opportunity, you would never have allowed anyone execute plans which would have amounted to true success.
5 replies (most recent on top)
to the post about it being boring af wonder if its one of the peeps who was talked about in the post who wrote that
Curious to see what will happen to Di-k Corso and Helen Vaughn with the network command center
So true. Innovation k--lers and sadly there are huge numbers of workers who feel the same about the situation. Collect your weekly paycheck, send your resume out constantly and network with outsiders within the industry. Look for an employee centric company for a new more fulfilling position. It has been culture shock to work for an investment firm owned company, knowing there is plenty of capital to do things right and provide the tools to be efficient, accurate and proud of the services rendered, yet those tools aren’t provided, offered or available. When compared to much smaller regions, privately held or employee owned companies, we are operating in the stone ages, despite the industry news headlines and claims of partnerships. The IT division doesn’t care, they close tickets without correcting issues or offering explanation of why it occurred. The lack of support, mentorship, training, recognition, relevant tools, technology AND leadership results in mediocrity at best. Lack of innovation will be the death of the company. Innovators will leave to work for other companies because they are recognized, respected and promoted to positions or projects that improve processes, customer services, work flow, efficiency and ultimately save $$$$, thereby increasing revenue. It’s difficult to go to work each day knowing (and having worked for an employee-centric company) that there are better tools, more efficient processes, systems and plenty of staff starving for the latest and greatest of these offerings to assist them in providing the results that are DEMANDED. And by some accounts; belittling, degrading and threatening middle management. Luckily, this has not been a personal experience, but the conference calls that have been overheard spewing from the office are quite berating. Success isn’t gleaned from suppressed, unappreciated, demeaned, undervalued, minimally paid, unempowered employees. In fact, it will be the demise of the company. Investing in your employees, staff and operations will reap more and revenue. It creates loyalty and integrity! It’s amazing that companies still operate with the philosophy of negativity, belittlement and berating. Grow your people, show them they are important and that each and every person matters. We the frontline workers, work our behinds off with little to no appreciation and NO recognition, while the investors and the executive management (who are by all accounts members of the investor group) make tons of money off the sweat of our backs. If the return on investment is the bottom line then, INVEST in your front line service staff who make it happen. Take a look at success >>> Publix or HEB! Being the largest is not the goal, being the best is! To be the best, invest regularly in those who are responsible for making it happen. GIVE THEM THE TOOLs and LISTEN!
Amazingly written and a glimpse into the world that you live. Its refreshing to have someone speak what they feel regardless of the noise of some anonymous responder who may or may not have any idea what they are talking about. Thank you for the insight on this company and what it's like to be a part of it.
Jesus this was boring AS to read....you lost me during your drive to work.
Next time consider a few page breaks...