Ducks in a Row: Avoiding Company Addiction
by Miki Saxon
Way back, when I was a recruiter, I coined a term for an attitude that impacted people from senior ranks down through support staff and production workers.
I called it ego-merge and it happened when people so entwined their identity with their company’s that they took personal responsibility for its successes and failures.
Last week we looked at companies with perks designed to keep people on site, so that the company becomes their life.
Both situations are highly addictive.
Even companies with benefits designed to foster better work-life integration/balance can be considered addictive, since they are difficult to leave.
Most addictive of all are great managers, even when special perks and over-the-top benefits are missing.
Sadly, abusive companies/managers are also addictive, just as abusive homes/partners/relatives are.
So what do you do if both good and bad can be addictive?
Know yourself.
Know what’s really important to you, not to your friends or what looks cool on social media.
Make a list.
Know what holds your company has on you.
Make a list.
Compare the lists.
Revisit each list at least once a year, more often if something major happens in your life or company.
Edit them based on who you/company are, not who you/company were.
Image credit: David Prasad
