Corporate 1

I always knew I am a scorpion 100% and cant refrain myself from stating the facts as it is. A trait quite undesirable in the corporate scenario I guess. But I have never made an effort to change myself. I know I might lose some coveted promotions and hikes but then what the hell? I have not fared that bad in life being what I am. If I were to change myself I would have to change my values and beliefs and at the end of the day my identity itself. As a fresher I didn’t have much choice but to cope with such things. But even back then I was myself – hardworking, diligent and responsible and a good worker at the end of it all. My peers and superiors respected me and regarded me for that. In my second job, for almost 3 years I had the privilege of being an individual contributor. I had mentors who were also of the same wavelength and didn’t quite care about the ass-licking behavior (forgive me for my language but that’s what it is – I am a scorpion remember and if I can’t bare myself in my blog then where else can I?) I got a very good client rating and also good recognition for my work from the local management as well. But in a team the dynamics change altogether. You have to make sure that people take notice of you. It doesn’t matter even if you make a fool out of yourself while making that noise but you ought to. Exchange unwanted pleasantries because that sounds polite and nice. And never defy what the senior says. They will always be right. I can’t help but remember the 3rd golden rule of ragging in my college. “The seniors are always right”. It is really sad that I have to draw a parallel between college rules and corporate rules because in the latter you expect some matured behavior. The ones (likes of me) who actually say that a senior’s point of view might be wrong will be considered an outlier. The ones who comply silently will be considered the obedient of the lot. It doesn’t matter even if later on the senior comes back and says he was wrong initially and now has figured that there was a better way of doing it. And this kind of revelation should come by itself. It will take all the time in the world and you will just be left wondering why your shouts are going absolutely unnoticed. The obedient type will simply re-do the work so as to please the seniors, but somehow I cannot bring myself to do it. How come what I was saying was lost on all these people at the first instance? I mean I wasn’t trying to just prove that I was correct and he/she was wrong, I was trying to reduce work for everyone concerned and also ensure that the work be completed in the most optimized manner given the resources at hand. I am going through a similar rough patch at work and can’t bring myself to confront the people concerned. I have finally resolved to just stay out of all this because it is affecting my personal performance big time. I know I have given up without a fight. But trying to establish and prove a point against a majority when the majority put together believes or pretends to believe in something completely different is very difficult. Funnily enough when other people noticed it and discussed the issue with me, they were also of the opinion that I may have to change myself if I were to grow within the organization and probably hard work and diligence alone is not enough to get the desires perception at the management level. BAH!