There’s No “Just” in Your Job Title

June 5, 2018 — By Jerry Roberts

When people ask you what you do for a living, how you answer says a lot about how you feel about your job, your employer and yourself.

When I ask that question I often get a response like, “I’m just a security guard,” “I’m just a cook,” “I’m just an admin assistant” or “I work at (company or government agency),” which doesn’t tell me much. Most times there’s not much excitement in their voice.

I’m looking into eyes that don’t see value in their work. It seems there’s no particular bond with the employer, and they register low on the self-esteem scale. I also know that somewhere there’s a manager – or a bunch of them – who haven’t properly related the value of that job.

Maybe you’re tempted to say, “But Jerry, some people are just shy and don’t like to call attention to themselves.” No problem, I get it. However, when you break it down, nobody’s checking the size of their ego, they’re just making conversation.

​ Understand this: If you love your job, everybody knows. It’s on your face and in your voice and body language. It works the same if you don’t care much for your job and/or employer. Everybody knows.

Comparing scenarios

Let’s compare two scenarios.

Number 1

Person A: “What do you do for a living?”

Person B: “I’m just a cook.”

Or let’s drop “just” and say “I’m a cook.” No particular sparkle in the eyes or the voice, and no mention of the eatery where they cook.

Number 2

Person A: “What do you do for a living?”

Person B: “I cook up a storm over at XYZ Restaurant,” or, “Thanks for asking, I’m one of the cooks over at XYZ Restaurant.” The answer comes with some of that sparkle I referred to and you get extra points if you tag that with, “Have you ever eaten there?”

Understand this: If you love your job, everybody knows. It’s on your face and in your voice and body language. It works the same if you don’t care much for your job and/or employer. Everybody knows.

If you’re not excited about your job or don’t see the value in your work, ask yourself what happens if you don’t show up today.

Whatever you do won’t get done. If that can’t be allowed to happen, somebody else has to drop what they’re doing and deal with it. If so, what happens to their work? It could cause a chain reaction as people scramble to cover all bases.

Managers need to connect the dots for every worker on the payroll, showing them the importance of their job. Employees need to know not only how customers benefit from their efforts, but also how other workers rely on them. This is where the value begins and it starts with the onboarding process.

Nobody should be allowed to start working until they have a clear picture of their value to the organization and its customers. Period.

Advice for managers, workers

Note to managers: Once you’ve made it clear that the worker’s position has this value, your job is just beginning. Give regular feedback, positive and corrective, not being afraid to shower them with lots of attaboys or attagirls. Praise is the second paycheck a worker receives. It costs you nothing except the need to focus attention on your team members. Don’t skimp on it.

My advice to workers is to perk up a little, accept that you indeed deliver value in your job, even if your boss barks once in a while or is a bit slow with the praise. Know that you are not defined by how your boss treats you, good or otherwise. Happiness is a choice. Tell your face. Smile more.

 

To learn how to bring the powerful values in this post to your organization, click here.

Now the scary part. Though the example given above would indicate that this is an issue among entry level workers or other new employees, it’s not at all limited to those categories. In fact, you’re just as likely to get the low/no value response from someone who’s been in their current position for 10 or 20 years.

I promise you this, your work has value and you should reflect that in your efforts, and for those times when somebody asks you that question.

Are you ready?

“What do you do for a living?”

Originally published in the Guam Daily Post, where J erry Roberts’ column, The Work Zone, appears each Tuesday.