As we draw closer to Thanksgiving, I like to take the time to reflect on the many reasons to be grateful for my life. This time around, I found myself thinking about my years in Corporate America and the many opportunities, though not always good, that have helped forge me into the man I am today. Call it nostalgia, call it relevant to the times, but today I’d like to take the time to spread the word on gratitude in the workplace.
“I am grateful for my 20+ years working in Corporate America and the numerous opportunities it provided me versus being bitter about how some of my relationships and opportunities ended.”
Short-sightedness brought on by Ingratitude
A few years ago, a client of mine reached out to share that a very talented manager, who I had previously engaged with at the company, had up and quit his job. This manager was attached to a compensation program designed for start-up companies. He was brilliant at the job and helped grow the business exponentially.
As with all things, the company underwent a series of changes, naturally due to its growth, and needed to adapt to a newer operating model. This is the lifecycle of any business, improving, adjusting, and evolving to stay in business. Unfortunately, the manager- let’s call him Mr. Talented, hated the idea of a new direction, and decided to quit.
This was disappointing to me and my client for two reasons. First, this job had really allowed his career to flourish and granted him a rare opportunity to experience things many people would never get to do in their lifetime. Second, it was a short-sighted emotional decision that could potentially hinder his career trajectory. Something neither myself or my client wanted to see happen to someone so smart and talented.
Ingratitude vs Gratitude
Mr. Talented did what so many professionals do in today’s business environment. They get upset about something changing versus being grateful for the opportunity and remaining confident about their ability to adapt. Mr. Talented was bitter and disappointed, so he gave in to a knee jerk reaction because things were not going his way. The company that took the chance on him was not given the same benefit of the doubt in return.
Now on the other hand, I also respect the manager a great deal for resigning and not becoming a negative and bitter employee, although knowing this manager, it is not a big surprise because he has great character and is an upstanding person. The part that saddens me, and I see it often, is that this manager would eventually regret making a knee jerk emotional reaction to change.
Had he been more grateful to the powers that be and gracious about his opportunity, he would have taken a step back to thoroughly think his decision through. No to mention embrace the opportunity to learn, adapt and get creative as the organization continued to grow. But as they saying goes, hindsight is 20/20.
Focusing on Gratitude
As an executive coach to thousands of business leaders, I’ve come across this behavior at all levels of employment. This is not a character flaw or attitude problem, rather it is an emotional response problem.
If you ever find yourself in this position, this is what I recommend that you do:
- Try to remember that this was once your dream job. Take a moment to recall the great fortune you’ve had by being granted the opportunity to lead or build something awesome.
- Try not to focus on the bad (I know sometimes this may be difficult). If it is a job that you’ve love, remind yourself that change is simply a part of the journey.
- Give change a chance. Mr. Talented put the cart before the horse. You see, he never gave the change a chance to work. This could have been another feather in his cap moment had he just waited it out a bit. Instead, he and the business both lost out.
Showing Your Gratitude
“Difficult things happen and the only thing you get to control is how you choose to respond to it. And always, always, remember that during difficulty or change, if you have the right attitude, the winds will swing our way again. With this you will find the positive flow of energy and sometimes, an even better situation.”
The next time a good thing comes to an end in your workplace, whether it is a job, compensation change or a relationship change, don’t lose sight of the blessings that came with it and even the potential opportunities hidden within it.
You are responsible for your mindset and how you decide to view situations; whether you want to live in a state of gratitude or a state of bitterness. One will bring you joy and prosperity. The other will bring you frustration and regret.
I for one, choose to be grateful.
I’ve devoted my career to making Corporate America a better place to work and do business. Check out my books, Serve Up, Coach, The Leadership Playbook and a few other leadership-focused publications to help advance your career, today.
PS for those in the US, Happy Thanksgiving Week!
