Category Archives: Keeping Your Job

A Guide to Thriving at Work Amid Office Politics

November 15, 2024 Mustardseed Leave a comment

Office politics can highly impact the work environment. And if you’re like most people, navigating the politics sometimes can feel like walking on shards of broken glass.

Every workplace has its power dynamics, hidden agendas, and unwritten rules. So, when you start a new job, you have to learn quickly how people communicate and the space of office politics in the organization.

In this article, we will equip you with the strategies and insights you need to survive and thrive amid office politics. We’ll look at how to build alliances, manage conflicts, and effectively communicate with colleagues. We hope these insights will help you decipher the unspoken codes of office politics.

Understanding Office Politics

Office politics can often be perceived as a negative aspect of the workplace, evoking images of backstabbing and manipulation. However, it is essential to understand that office politics is a natural part of organizational dynamics. It encompasses the behaviors, relationships, and power structures that exist within a workplace.

At its core, office politics revolves around how individuals navigate their work environment to achieve personal and professional goals. This might include seeking promotions, gaining visibility for their contributions, or simply ensuring a harmonious working relationship with colleagues. Understanding the nuances of these interactions empowers you to maneuver through the maze of office politics effectively instead of feeling victimized by it.

To successfully navigate office politics, be observant and aware of the unspoken rules that govern your workplace. Every office has its own culture, and understanding the informal hierarchies, alliances, and rivalries helps you align favorably.

Pay attention to your colleagues’ behaviors, including who collaborates with whom and how decisions are made. This awareness will provide critical insights that inform your strategies for engaging with others and positioning yourself for success.

The Impact of Office Politics on Individuals and Organizations

The effects of office politics ripple through individuals and organizations, often shaping workplace culture and influencing employee morale. For individuals, navigating office politics can lead to career advancement, enhanced job satisfaction, and stronger relationships with colleagues. Conversely, engaging in negative political behaviors can result in stress, anxiety, and even career stagnation. Recognizing this dual impact is vital for both personal development and organizational success.

On an organizational level, office politics can foster collaboration and innovation or breed dysfunction and distrust. When employees work together to navigate the political landscape positively, it enhances teamwork, improved communication, and a culture of support.

Office politics can create alliances and improve teamwork.
Image by GraphicMama-team from Pixabay

However, when office politics devolves into toxicity, it can create silos, hinder productivity, and result in high turnover rates. Organizations that acknowledge and address the significance of office politics can create a healthier work environment that encourages employee engagement and loyalty.

Companies with an open and transparent approach to office dynamics often enjoy higher employee satisfaction and retention levels. Fostering a culture of trust and respect mitigates the negative consequences of office politics and harnesses its potential to drive success.

Understanding this relationship can empower employees to engage in positive political behaviors that benefit themselves and their organization.

Common Office Politics Tactics and Behaviors

In any workplace, employees use specific strategies to navigate office politics. These may range from benign to more manipulative actions, each carrying its consequences. Popular tactics include forming alliances, using charm and flattery, and strategically sharing information.

You must understand these behaviors to recognize when they are at play in your environment.

It is quite common for individuals to form alliances or cliques, where they band together for mutual support or to further their interests. These alliances can be beneficial, providing a network of support and resources.

However, they can also lead to exclusionary practices that create divisions within the workplace. Leaders should be keen on nurturing relationships that foster inclusivity rather than exclusivity to create a sense of belonging for every employee.

Another prevalent behavior is using charm or flattery to win favor with colleagues and superiors. It works, but relying too heavily on charm can come off as insincere or manipulative. There ought to be a balance between genuine relationship-building and strategic networking.

Be mindful of how you engage with others to navigate the political landscape with authenticity.

Strategies for Navigating Office Politics Effectively

Successfully navigating office politics requires a strategic approach that balances assertiveness with diplomacy. One effective strategy is to focus on building a strong personal brand that reflects your values, skills, and contributions. Here are more practical strategies you can employ to thrive at work amidst the office politics:

Demonstrate your strengths and align them with your organisation’s goals:

Every employee has a unique strength, and you’re no exception. Identify your strengths and align them with the organization’s goals so that you’re a part of something bigger. This positions you as a valuable asset, gives you visibility, and garners respect and support from colleagues and superiors.

Practice active listening and effective communication: Be attentive to others’ perspectives and concerns. This will enhance your understanding of the political landscape, create a collaborative environment, improve your communication, and build trust with colleagues.

Active listening means you’re not just listening to reply but to get a deeper understanding of where the conversation is coming from and building into. You want to show you care for the communicator; you empathize, you relate, and you want to be involved in the chat and provide solutions to the matters of concern.

It motivates and uplifts everyone you communicate with and helps you build genuine connections and alliances at the workplace.

Be adaptable and flexible in your approach to office politics: Remain adaptable and flexible in your approach to office politics. The workplace is constantly evolving, and the political landscape can shift rapidly.

By being open to change and willing to adjust your strategies, you can better respond to new challenges and opportunities that spring from office politics. Embrace a growth mindset to thrive in a politically charged environment, helping you to maintain your focus on career advancement and personal development.

Build Strong Relationships and Networks

Building strong relationships and networks is an essential component of successfully navigating office politics. Cultivating positive connections with colleagues can provide invaluable support and resources throughout your career. To develop these relationships, invest time and effort into getting to know your coworkers on a personal level. This can involve engaging in informal conversations, participating in team-building activities, or even scheduling one-on-one meetings to share ideas and insights.

Networking within your organization can also extend beyond your immediate team. Seek opportunities to connect with colleagues in different departments or roles. These connections can provide diverse perspectives and insights into the broader organizational landscape. By fostering a strong internal network, you will be better equipped to navigate complex political dynamics and identify potential allies in your career journey.

Approach relationship-building with a mindset of reciprocity. Offer support and assistance to your colleagues, whether through sharing your expertise, collaborating on projects, or simply lending a listening ear. When you cultivate a culture of mutual respect and support, you help create a positive workplace environment that benefits everyone involved.

Remember, strong relationships can serve as a buffer against the challenges of office politics, making it easier to navigate conflicts and pursue your goals.

Develop Emotional Intelligence for Office Politics

Emotional intelligence (EI) is critical for navigating office politics. It involves the ability to recognize and understand one’s own emotions and those of others. EI enhances your interpersonal skills, improves communication, and fosters better collaborative relationships.

This heightened awareness can enable you to respond more effectively to the complexities of office dynamics and navigate challenging situations with grace.

One key component of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. You need to understand your own emotional triggers and reactions to manage your responses in high-pressure situations. This self-regulation allows you to remain composed and make thoughtful decisions rather than reacting impulsively.

Managing Conflicts and Resolving Disputes

Conflict is an inevitable part of any workplace. Thus, to navigate office politics effectively, you have to learn how to deal with conflicts. Approach disagreements with a constructive mindset. Instead of viewing conflict as a threat, consider it an opportunity for growth, collaboration, and problem-solving. Reframing your perspective can foster a more positive approach to conflict resolution.

Avoid letting tensions simmer or allowing misunderstandings to escalate. Open, honest communication is key to resolving disputes. Encourage a dialogue that allows each party to express their views and feelings. Be sure to actively listen and validate the other person’s perspective, even if you disagree. This approach fosters mutual respect and creates an environment where all parties feel heard and understood.

Perspective is everything. Understand this, and you’ll approach conflicts at work differently.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

In addition to communication, seeking common ground is essential for conflict resolution. Identify shared goals and interests, and work together to find solutions that benefit everyone involved. Collaboration can help transform conflict into an opportunity to build stronger relationships and foster teamwork.

Ethical Considerations in Office Politics

As you navigate the often murky waters of office politics, ethical considerations must remain at the forefront of your decisions. Engaging in questionable behaviors or compromising your values can have far-reaching consequences, not only for your career but also for the workplace environment. Remain committed to your principles and approach office politics with integrity, even when faced with challenging situations.

One key aspect of ethical office politics is transparency. Being open and honest with colleagues fosters trust and helps establish a positive workplace culture. Avoid gossiping or spreading misinformation, as such behaviors can undermine relationships and create a toxic atmosphere.

Instead, focus on building a reputation for integrity and reliability, which can position you as a trusted ally in the eyes of your colleagues.

Also, recognize the potential impact of your actions on others. Consider how your decisions may affect your colleagues, the team, and the organization as a whole. Strive to make choices that promote fairness, inclusivity, and collaboration.

Prioritizing ethical behavior in your political interactions contributes to a healthier workplace environment and safeguarding your professional reputation.

Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks in Office Politics

Navigating office politics can be fraught with challenges and setbacks, but resilience is key to overcoming these obstacles. When faced with difficulties, maintain a positive outlook and view setbacks as learning opportunities. Reflect on what went wrong, identify the lessons to be learned, and consider how to apply these insights moving forward. This growth mindset will empower you to adapt and thrive in a politically charged environment.

Building a support system can also be instrumental in overcoming challenges in office politics.

Seek colleagues or mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and perspective during tough times. Build connections with those who can offer support to bolster your resilience and maintain your focus on your goals.

Furthermore, practice self-care during challenging times. Office politics can be emotionally taxing, and prioritizing your well-being helps maintain your motivation and clarity. Engage in activities that help you recharge, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.

Conclusion

Successfully navigating office politics is essential for anyone seeking to thrive in a corporate environment. Understand the intricacies of workplace dynamics, recognize the impact of politics on both individuals and organizations, and employ effective strategies to position yourself for success.

Building strong relationships, developing emotional intelligence, and managing conflicts with integrity will empower you to navigate the complexities of office politics while maintaining your values. As you continue to hone your skills in navigating office politics, remember that challenges and setbacks are an inevitable part of the journey. Embrace these experiences as opportunities for growth and learning, and remain committed to fostering a positive workplace culture.

How to get a job in Kenya, Keeping Your Job

Why Soft Skills Matter: Insights from Reuben Oruaru

June 21, 2024 George Agak Leave a comment

We’re glad to have hosted Reuben Oruaru for our Soft Skills training session last Sunday. If you’re clueless about soft skills, I checked Investopedia, and it had this definition: Soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills that characterize a person’s ability to interact effectively with others.

I think it serves the purpose; definition.

But our guest speakers scratch deeper beneath the surface, and Reuben’s insights and real-life anecdotes served as a lesson on soft skills and how they make us better equipped for today’s workplace.

He didn’t stick to workplace and professional mobility but also explored how these soft skills make us better human beings.

I found his insights eye-opening and incredibly relevant in today’s digital age, and this is my attempt at sharing the key lessons from the session.

Reuben Oruaru introducing the Soft Skills Training session

Disrupt Yourself or Be Disrupted

Reuben started the session with a thought-provoking question: “Do you know that robots are getting smarter?”

He emphasized the urgency of adapting to the pace of digital change. It’s a disruptive time to be alive, and thus you either “Disrupt yourself or be disrupted” as he quoted a book he’d read.

The class, chilled and anticipatory, propped their seats and took notes. The session, having begun a few minutes later than scheduled, was finally taking off with an energetic speaker, an attentive audience, and lessons on soft skills and life.

“If a robot can succeed without a certificate, so can you. In fact, since you’ve got a certificate, you can do better than a robot.” He opined, setting the premise for the training that would see us seated for almost two hours taking notes and contributing to the conversation.

This is the digital age—the Fourth Industrial Revolution—where many tasks we perform can now be handled by machines.

“And we have so many machines, we call them robots. And as a country, we have so many robots. While this reality can be scary, it also presents an opportunity.”

“It’s scary in the sense that all of us are going through school, and we all just want to be productive, but then so much work has been reduced to the work of machines.”

“Where will we get the jobs if the robots are taking them? And do you know the robots are smarter or do a better job than humans?” He asked the attentive audience.

An attentive audience as the session progressed.

Soft Skills for Personal and Professional Growth

In a world where machines can do everything, it helps to humanize everything we do. Having these soft skills is a huge step toward actualizing this. Reuben highlighted key soft skills that are essential for staying relevant in the digital age:

Digital Literacy: This goes beyond just using apps on your phone.“Can you use the apps on your phone to make a living? Are you just a consumer, or can you navigate the digital landscape to your advantage?”

Reuben asked.

He stressed the importance of understanding digital tools and platforms for productivity and professional advancement.
Data Literacy: He also taught how our online activities generate data that companies use to target us with relevant content.

“If I’m a football fan and I follow a lot of football on IG and other social media, then I will get more football ads. If I like shopping for clothes, the things that’ll be pushed to my page will be related to clothes.” He explained how algorithms work.

“Data is the new currency,” he noted, urging the audience to take a keen interest in data literacy, as data informs everything in today’s world.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Critical thinking and problem-solving is a powerful combination that improves our communities. When you can think critically and act right in time of need, you become useful in solving problems.

“If there’s a fire here, can you think critically about using the fire extinguisher?” He challenged the graduates to see problems as opportunities and to develop solutions creatively.
Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence: Dealing with people requires emotional intelligence. We’re communal beings, and we need to work with others.

Most jobs require team effort and collaboration, and you’ll need self-awareness and emotional intelligence to fit in teams and contribute to the greater good. Understand your emotions and those of others for fruitful collaborations.
Creativity: “Creativity is all about turning imaginative ideas into realities,” Reuben explained. He encouraged the graduates to think beyond the status quo and use creativity as a tool to thrive in the present and conquer the future.
Collaboration: The work environment has changed significantly, especially after COVID-19. “Can you work from your bedroom and be disciplined enough to work without returning to bed?” Reuben asked. Flexibility must be backed by responsibility.

Today, organizations don’t care where you work from as long as you can meet your job goals. Now, companies outsource expertise a little easier than in the past as employees can work more flexibly today, but to fit in this new work routine, you need to work better as a team player.
Time Management: Time is a scarce resource. “Spend the first hour of your day meditating,” he advised. “Visualize how your day is going to be.”

I checked online and found this advice shared by great world leaders and high achievers. Here’s what Steve Jobs said about meditation:

“If you just sit and observe, you will see how restless your mind is. If you try to calm it, it only makes it worse, but over time it does calm, and when it does, there’s room to hear more subtle things — that’s when your intuition starts to blossom and you start to see things more clearly and be in the present more. Your mind just slows down, and you see a tremendous expanse in the moment. You see so much more than you could see before.”

Still, you don’t have to adopt the same morning routines. You can have a morning ritual that sets you up for success. Noting what you need to do for the day is a good place to start. Make a to-do list and follow it through.

Apportion time accordingly. You can break your tasks into manageable chunks and apportion time for each procedure. That way, you can map out your entire day, then work through it.

Curiosity and Continuous Learning: The illiterate of the twenty-first century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

Find a mentor or just someone you look up to and then emulate their journey. People who have done incredible things have many lessons they’ve picked along the way.

Learn from them.

You can pick the lessons from the information they share publicly with their followers, but you can go further to benefit from them.

Follow them on LinkedIn. Read about them; their education, the nature of their work, and their daily routines (if you can get to it). The closer you zoom into what they do, the easier you can learn from their experiences.

Do you read autobiographies? Leaders leave a trail to their success as stories told in autobiographies. If your mentor has one, get your hands on it and learn something.

Whatever you do, stay curious. That’s how you get new information.
Resilience: Reuben highlighted the importance of resilience in navigating life’s challenges. He observed that most young people have been brought up in a world where things are handed to them easily.

They don’t know how to put up with pressure, and so they can give up on their goals much faster. You need resilience to navigate through life’s challenges and thrive.

He encouraged the learners to continue working towards their goals, despite the challenges and failures they may encounter along the way.

Empathy: Recognize and appreciate the feelings of others. When you show empathy, you become important to others and are recognized as a resourceful member of the community.

Empathy is what allows us to recognize people’s needs and rise up to help them as needs may dictate.
Discipline and Initiative: Discipline makes a man. You need discipline if you’re intentional about making a worthwhile impact in the world. It’s what keeps you doing the right thing even when you’ve got excuses not to. While everyone can start something, it’s only those with discipline who finish the projects they begin.

Also, be someone who takes initiative. Can you take the lead and offer guidance when the need arises? Do not be someone who only waits to be led, take charge and lead your team to success.

Values That Get You Ahead in Your Professional Journey

Reuben concluded the session by emphasizing some core values that gets you ahead in your professional journey. Combine these values with soft skills above to create a better reality for yourself and the world.

Integrity: Being truthful and transparent in all dealings.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for your choices and actions.
Respect: Valuing different perspectives and treating everyone with dignity.

Reuben’s insights were a powerful reminder of the importance of developing soft skills to stay relevant and successful in today’s world. As MustardSeed, we’re grateful he found time to come and share these lessons with us.

Which one of these soft skills has impacted your life the most? Let me know in the comments. Cheers!

How to get a job in Kenya, Keeping Your Job

Mastering Communication: An Afternoon with Selestine Njoga

April 25, 2024 George Agak Leave a comment

Communication is a foundational skill that everyone needs to excel in to get things done.

Before you get into the intricacies of corporate communications, think of communication as a tool that enables us, as humans, to accomplish everyday tasks and coexist in our communities.

It’s thus a foundational skill that everyone needs to finesse to expedite the pace of creation and enhance human relations.

We were privileged to have Selestine Njoga, a seasoned communication professional, walk us through Communication Skills Training with the graduates at St. Aloysius.

Being the speaker of the day, Selestine took charge of the class and administered unforgettable communication hacks, having begun the session by thwarting the belief that there are good communicators and those who are not any good at all.

“Communication is a skill, and anyone can learn it”. She assured the graduates.

She then established the need to communicate effectively within our communities.

She says, you shouldn’t miss an opportunity because you didn’t package yourself well. And how you communicate is a huge part of the package.

In this write-up, I’ll go over, albeit briefly, some of the areas she touched on that I feel the graduates should come back to.

Note: This’s not an attempt to summarize her entire session; just a few points I wrote down as the session progressed. To get everything from our speakers, attend our bi-weekly meetings.

The art of public speaking

Exploring the art of public speaking, she emphasized the need to be confident enough to speak your mind without fear of judgement.

“When you’re before the audience, you’re the boss!” She said, urging the graduates to walk heads high when called upon to speak.

An attentive class as Selestine goes over the do’s and don’ts of Public Speaking.

She proceeded to outline practical tips for delivering impactful speeches. These include;

Preparation: Be prepared. Do your research about the subject, about the event you’ll be speaking at. The more prepared you’re, the better you’ll talk; preparedness enriches your talk but also allows your to connect better with the audience and boosts your chance of overall success.

Practice: You have to practice your talk before your big day. “It’s better to stammer before the mirror rather than stammering before the panel”. She notes.

Confidence: Marcus Garvey is known for his repatriation efforts, but I remember him for the most profound quote on confidence. He said, without confidence, you’re twice defeated in life, and I agree. Selestine too spoke against timidity.

Have content in the subject matter: Always know your stuff. Learn, do your research and be as equipped as you can in your subject matter. It’s amazing how confident you become when you know you have the right content in whatever you’re speaking about

Eye contact: Maintain eye contact. They say the eyes are the windows of the soul, and it’s true. Every good communicator maintains eye contact as it invites the audience to your speech. It shows you’re a confident, open person to converse with and trust.

Pause to refine your thoughts: Instead of using fillers like ‘so’, ‘um’, ‘ah,’ just pause and gather your thoughts. It’s better than using ‘filled pauses’ that make you seem unprepared and clueless about the subject.

Here’s a detailed article by Lauren Sergy on how to quit using the filled pauses in your speech.

Active listening

Active listening involves listening to what’s being said without judgement or interruption. You can make notes as the speaker speaks but don’t interrupt. You can also come back later to affirm the content from the speaker by asking relevant questions.

Active listening is an essential communication skill that enhances employability and improves one’s quality of relationships beyond the workplace. A husband who knows how to listen actively can lead his family effectively.

Active listening makes you an excellent communicator and a better human being.

In conclusion, communication goes beyond conveying information—it’s about building bridges, fostering understanding, and forging meaningful connections. Effective communication is a cornerstone of success, and thus a skill worth investing time and effort to develop.

As Mustardseed, we extend our gratitude to Selestine Njoga for her invaluable contributions to our graduates’ journey toward mastering the art of communication.

How to get a job in Kenya, How to position yourself for a job, How to write a CV, Keeping Your Job

The Quest for a Job: Positioning Yourself for Abundance In The Face Of Scarcity

February 19, 2019 George Agak Leave a comment

Every single day you hear about the devastating joblessness that plagues our country. From the radio to televisions to newspapers to social media, you hear heart-breaking stories of graduates who did well in their studies but cannot find a job. Joblessness is mean. It takes a lot from you; self-esteem, relationships, and power. You know, even if you have someone who takes care of you, there is a level of satisfaction you can only feel when you have a job. There’s no dignity in charity. So, how do you brave the odds against employment? Well, there’s no clear-cut solution to joblessness, but there’s a lot you can do to position yourself better for the few vacancies in the job market;

1. Have a community

Today, job seekers have a harder job finding a job than it was in the past. As a job seeker, you must create a community that can help you acquire a job. How many people in your circle know you are looking for a job? Often, we neglect the closest people around us, but they might have the links we need to get a job. Make it known that you are looking for a job. Have you shared your despair with your pastor? How about that neighbor who works with World Vision? Does Uncle Tom, the one who works for Safaricom know you haven’t got a job? When you have many eyes helping spot a vacancy, you stand a greater chance than people who don’t.

2. Explore the nooks and cranny

Well, we all know about the job hunt. It is a tough job finding a job. However, when you know the right places to look, you become better placed to get a job in Kenya. You know the traditional places we look for jobs; adverts, walking into offices and asking for jobs, or contacting your connections for an opening et cetera. However, there are places job seekers rarely look. For instance, very few people work with recruitment agencies. What about online job boards? Have you ever heard of Brighter Monday? I know this doesn’t solve your woes, but I got my first job through Brighter Monday.

As a job seeker, explore all the avenues that could lead you to a well-paying job. LinkedIn is a good place to find jobs or begin conversations that could lead to one. Craigslist is also a good place, especially for those who are interested in virtual work.

3. Be visible

One big mistake that job seekers do is sitting back and waiting for the jobs to find them. With all your academic credentials, you only get credibility, but without visibility, who will know you are credible? Who knows how skilled you are? You can have more excuses than you need to stay indoors and wait for that job to find you, but sure as hell, you can’t get a job if you are not visible. Here are few tips to keep you on the radar:

Attend forums- How many industry-related forums do you know of? When did you last attend one? I have a friend who wants to be a pastor in the future, so to keep himself visible, he made a goal to attend at least two bible sessions every week and to speak at one forum every week. Attending forums give you the opportunity to express your ideas with people who have similar interests.

Also, you get the chance to grasp new trends in the industry and boost your knowledge. The more forums you attend, the bigger your circle grows, and the more significant contacts you accumulate. When there is an opening, you are most likely to get a heads-up from the industry leaders you have interacted with.

While it’s true that your pocket might sometimes limit your reach to some of these forums, it is an investment that pays off if you are consistent.

Get involved in community work- If you are still waking up at 10.00 am because you have nowhere to go, get busy. There is never a shortage of engagement you can plug into in the ghetto! How many organizations that operate within your neighborhood that have open doors for volunteers? Involving yourself in community work doesn’t only make you visible but also builds your CV and exposes you to the work culture.
Create an online portfolio- In the past, only creatives built online portfolios for potential clients to see. However, today’s employers want to know more than your CV can contain. Having an online portfolio allows you to create an archive of your greatest achievements and showcase your dreams.

Most people believe that an online portfolio must be expensive, like having a website. Nothing can be farther from the truth. You can use free online platforms like LinkedIn to show your industry expertise and qualifications.

Follow your industry leaders-Industry leaders are always the first people to know the changes in the industry and how to adapt to them. Also, they share thought-leadership content on their profiles to keep you updated and motivated to thrive in what you do. I love copywriting, so I follow Carol Tice, Darren Rowse, and Neil Patel. How does this benefit me? I always get notifications from Neil on SEO matters. This keeps me updated with latest SEO practices. It helps me stay relevant in my field as a copywriter. From Darren Rowse, I get daily job notifications, and from Carol, I get tips and tricks to scale my copywriting business. She also gives discounts to her subscribers whenever she has a course. However, don’t just be a spectator, get involved. Respond to their emails (it doesn’t matter if it was sent to a thousand other subscribers), contribute on the online forums they participate in, and take advantage of their offers. Make them virtual mentors, and learn from their achievements and mistakes.
Contribute to online industry forums- Today, most industries have online forums where professionals can throw in random questions and get answers from industry experts. Join these forums, and contribute. As the interactions grow, your level of expertise is exposed to many people, some of whom might be interested in employing you.

4. Be prepared

If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail. What a cliché. Yet, so true. Job searching is full of amazing surprises that can change your destiny forever. Here are tips to keep you prepared:

Scan all your credentials and save them in the cloud- Scanning your documents and saving them in the cloud makes your job applications easier because you can access them anytime anywhere. If someone calls you to send your application, you can do so conveniently and stand a chance to get the job.
Polish your interview skills- You have worked hard to earn an interview, don’t throw your chances away because of poor interview skills.
Update your wardrobe- Invest it the right outfits for your career. When you have an appropriate outfit to wear to interviews, you get the confidence to jump on any chance you get.
Research- What do you know about your profession? What do you know about your potential employers? Do in-depth research about your potential employers and know about all that you need to know. When do they have vacancies? How do they get new employees; do they absorb interns or get fresh applications? What do they look for in employees? What are their latest developments? Who handles the recruitment process? All these details will help you tailor your cover letter to meet their requirements.

5. Don’t stop sending job applications

The more job applications you send, the more chances you will get shortlisted for an interview, the more interviews you attend, the higher your chances of getting employed. That’s the law of averages! Also, attending more interviews builds your confidence, and broadens your perspective about employment.

Well, getting a job in Kenya can be difficult, but these five tips will help you position yourself better for a job. Keep Trying!

Employment in Kenya, Keeping Your Job, Work Ethics

Why a Sense of Entitlement is Detrimental to Your Career

May 7, 2018 George Agak 1 Comment

A Sense of Entitlement shifts your expectations to other people and leaves you vulnerable

Entitlement also breeds an inflated sense of self-importance

You obviously have had those days when the skies hang low, and everything moves in the wrong direction. Those days when you don’t want to step out of bed and face yourself in the mirror because, you know, everyone is unfair.

It is true we all want to be appreciated and rewarded for every accomplishment at work, but who sets the metrics? Could we be the problem by deserving more than what we’ve earned?

Yes, sometimes there is someone who deserves the perk better than you even if you break the last sweat to get it. This alone is disappointing, but not as breaking as the entitlement you have.

“Who even cares?”

The more you commit to the pursuit of your goals, the greater the sense of entitlement grows within you and this contrary to popular belief that it gives you confidence, only breaks you. From biblical stories to ancient fables, being entitled makes you prone to failure. Do you remember the story of Cain and Abel?

Well, here is a snippet.

Cain and Abel went out to offer sacrifices to God. Cain being a farmer gave what he thought was God’s share in his harvest and Abel gave the fat portions of his flock as sacrifices and the good God was pleased and looked upon him with favor. Cain’s offering wasn’t appreciated, and so he tricked his brother and killed him, and God place a curse upon him.

Let’s face it; if Cain didn’t feel so much entitled to God’s blessings he would have done better; possibly pick a lesson or two from his brother and offer sacrifices that pleased God next time,

But No, It Had To Happen There And Then!

Having a sense of entitlement is detrimental to your career. It makes you a difficult person to work with and a thorn in the flesh to your superiors. It also inhibits your growth at a personal level because you know you have got everything it takes to be the best.

Don’t get me wrong, self-confidence is your biggest asset, but that overbearing attitude; the belief that you must be treated better than everybody else without earning it isn’t confidence. While other employees are learning the workplace culture and positioning themselves for leadership, an entitled employee savours his privileges of the moment and complains when such opportunities aren’t forthcoming.

While other employees appreciate bonuses and perks they were rewarded after achieving their targets; the entitled employee view them as rights— not rewards. This causes career stagnation.

Employee entitlement is common in workplace today especially among the millennials who are brought up believing that they are special and must be treated as so.

Create Balance between Expectations & Reality

Entitlement is like insanity, those who suffer from it rarely know they are sick. You might be a victim of employee entitlement without even knowing. If subconsciously you have developed an inflated sense of self-importance;

Do you ever think you are irreplaceable?
That you can get away with major workplace misconducts simply because you are the best?
That doing only what is in your job description is such a great feat that must be rewarded?
That your superiors aren’t better than you and should know better?
That you should receive a pay rise because you’ve worked in the company the longest?
That you don’t get recognized for great things you do?

Well, all these are symptoms of employee entitlement. The best way to beat employee entitlement is to balance your expectations with realities.

There are situations when you might miss a perk, not because you didn’t do better but because someone outdid himself and earned the perk. This doesn’t make your bosses assholes, it simply steadies a culture of healthy competition. In healthy competitive workplace, rewards and punishment work hand in hand to boost production and mold employees into better people.

There’s little you can do to influence your superiors’ decision on whom to reward and whom to punish, but you can do so much by adopting a better attitude. Changing your self-indulgent, arrogant and selfish attitude and recognizing that there are other people who can do a better work than you opens a cap of growth for you. When a cup is full to the brim, you can’t add anything to it. Do ensure you have enough space for much more. Here’s how;

Be an Asset to the Team- Working in a team exposes you to new realities, you begin to learn the strengths others have and how they merge to achieve milestones that seemed impossible. In working with teams, your weaknesses unfold before your own eyes and so are your strengths. You learn to appreciate the process more than the product.

Working in a team also helps you to develop interpersonal relations; you become a better communicator with your team members, customers and other stakeholders but most importantly, it helps you appreciate the fact that you are nothing more than a dot in a maze; you need others to create a labyrinth. So yes, be an asset to the team—not to self.

Learn

“More the knowledge lesser the ego, lesser the knowledge more the ego.”

― Albert Einstein

People who constantly learn about their area of specialty always have a space for improvement. The needs of the market constantly change and there is no way you can adapt to that change if you don’t learn. Household products that we used in the ‘90s have gone through a series of remodeling to fit today’s needs, workplace needs of the ‘90s are so different from now. Learning may not guarantee you bonuses and perks, but it surely makes you a better person.

Also, a learner always has the next step on the ladder in pursuit of knowledge. This ambitious pursuit leaves no room for entitlement to materialize.