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With my
current job as well as jobs in the past, I have put much effort into working
extremely hard, being very polite (not to just my boss, but to co workers and
clients as well). I have followed the rules as best as one possibly can at work,
but I often notice that I get upstaged by the "brown noser." Now I
know that there is one in almost every workplace and it has been going on for
many years. I myself have refused to "brown nose," mainly because it
makes me feel "phoney."
I always try to stay upbeat and fair. I am honest to everyone around me, and work very hard, but there is always someone that is very good at pushing buttons whether they are a good worker or not. It seems that their voice is always heard by the boss. You would think that a good manager could spot a "brown noser" and interpret it as being superficial. Why does it always seem to work for these people and how do you compete with someone who is very good at it?
Signed,
The Pushover
Dear Pushover:
You can't stop brown nosers. However, you can change how you see them. By that I mean almost all human relationships hinge upon reciprocal social exchange. Tit for Tat. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. We are satisfied in a relationship when that exchange is pretty much even. We are extra pleased when we get more than we give. In the work setting, we are each other's internal customers and sellers. We buy support from the boss by giving her/him what is asked. When we give more than is expected, the boss is extra happy with us.
Your beef, although stated with no specifics, is with those subordinates who you see as sucking up to the boss or other such behaviors. Can you make a list of what words and acts you call brown nosing? Are these words of flattery and little acts of kindness? Are they favors such as volunteering to do extras jobs? Are they who do them insincere?
From what you tell me, you are the kind of employee any boss would love to have. Yet, when recognition by the boss is handed out, it goes to someone else. Then review again specifically what you do that is discretionary. Do you thank the boss when it is deserved? Do you pleasantly greet her/him each morning? Do you do those extras such as tidying up your work area or do you dash out the door at quitting time? Do you listen to instructions? Do you think up creative ways to cut costs and/or please the customer? Get my point? How do you make the boss look good?
Ingratiation is the act of giving which in turn creates a debt of goodwill. Ingratiation that is two-faced and manipulative, once it is perceived that way, will be deplored. The tit for tat is not a one-for-one trade off, nor is is immediate. It occurs over time. Some employees are very political. They know how to do the deeds that in the future will entitle them to call in the chips.
Ideally, both the bossed and the boss would not tactically plan or scrutinize all their behaviors as a give and take exchange. Ideally we would behave thinking about the common good rather than acting with personal advantage in mind. Ideally, those of us who instinctively share of our selves will one day reap the rewards of an enriched career. Being political in this best sense, should pay off both in personal satisfaction and in career rewards.
It does not always happen that way. Please keep us posted of your workplace observations and, especially, in what ways you can in good conscience be creatively and professionally political.
WEGO is a push-over for employees who value honesty and strive to contribute their best.
Bill Gorden