Employer's Option

Whether you like it or not, employers control your fate as an employee and you are working simply because they have given you the opportunity to do so.  Certainly, you were hired because of the specific qualities and talents they saw in you which they felt would help there business but keep in mind who signs the paycheck each week.

Each time I place a consultant into a new workplace, I remind them that their talents, personality, past work history, etc. got them the job but that they need to remember that every day is an audition.  Beyond performing the skills required and producing workflow on schedule, you need to fit into the company's environment.  Way too often, I receive a call after a few weeks saying that the consultant knows what they are doing but needs to stop telling their co-workers and/or managers what they are doing wrong and what needs to be fixed by the employer.  Unless you are asked to do so, just perform the tasks at hand and be thankful to be employed.

One such call I received talked about a consultant who told a vice president that his company had no idea what they were doing!  This person also informed co-workers that the creamer provided for the FREE coffee offered each day was not healthy!  I was told they were considering ending an 8 month assignment after a few weeks unless this individual calmed down and showed respect to the employer.  Happily, this situation was resolved by explaining chain of command and suggesting to bring  their own milk for the coffee.

While I do understand the need to be conscientious and to feel like you must do the job to the best of your ability, please remeber who gives you the opportunity to earn income each day.  As long as nothing you are being asked to do is unsafe, illegal, or dangerous, you need to follow the companies policies and procedures and to acknowledge that you appreciate the chance you have been given to work there.