A good coach gives her clients assignments. In honor of May Day, I’ve got one for you. Sit down and write a letter to your boss with your demands. I’m talking about specific things that would make your job more satisfying and improve your work relationship.
Today is a day to stop complaining and grumbling or looking the other way.
It’s a day to get clear about what’s not working and to ask yourself, how can things be changed so that I feel good about my job?
You might want to separate the letter into three parts:
First, acknowledge that making a work situation better is a process and it can’t all be changed over night.
Second, start with what is most important to YOU as if you were the center of the world and the person that your boss (and HR and your co-workers) was most committed to pleasing you. Tell them what you need from them, tell them what you’d like to hear, tell them what would help you feel better, or perform better. Tell them about realistic deadlines. Don’t worry about budgets and resources or what they’re capable of. Just tell it straight. What can they do for YOU?
Now, write notes about your actual job. What are you asked to do that is ridiculous, overwhelming, exhausting, out of your competency level or not in your job description? Tell them what you want taken off your plate and what you want kept on. Tell them what you most want to be doing.
Okay, anything left that you want to demand? A higher salary, better benefits? Tuesdays as work at home days? A job description?
When you’re done, thank them for taking the time to listen and consider making improvements. Tell them you’re grateful that they’re committed to your success and effectiveness in the workplace. And tell them you’re committed to being the best worker you can be- but that it’s a two-way street. You got to give, listen, negotiate, adjust and work together.
Put the letter in an envelope and seal it.
Now go out for a walk or a drink and let the experience percolate.
Next Monday, open the letter and see if there’s anything in it you’d like to move forward as a real conversation with your boss or co-workers. And if you want help strategizing about how to make things better for YOU, call me. I’m committed to your job satisfaction (and mine too).