Ive Got No Where Else To Go

Ive Got No Where Else To Go Do you feel like your job has reached a dead-end? Bored? Not challenged? So what can YOU do about it? The title of this post is a quote from An Officer And A Gentleman. Remember the scene. Poor Zack Mayo (played by Richard Gere, young and oh so handsome) was on a concrete slab doing sit ups and his Gunnery Sergeant (Louis Gossett, Jr.)  was pushing him to quit or DOR. Zack was being physically and mentally challenged and his life at that moment was miserable. But, as horrible as this experience was, it wasnt as bad as what his life had been before. Zacks only hope for a better life was to stick with the Navy training. Before you go crying that youve got no where else to go (except to leave the company), do what Zack did. Try hard. Communicate. Be a team-player and become likable. In the world of work, we often hear the term manage up. Try Harder! Is there a reason you are at a dead-end? A little self reflection may help you see you arent performing as well as expected. And it is ultimately your manager/supervisor who sets those expectations, fair or unfair, right or wrong, extreme or realistic. Honestly, are there things you should be doing better? Have you missed deadlines? Have you sent unedited emails, correspondence, or reports? Is your work completed on time, or better yet, ahead of schedule? And if you really want more responsibility or a promotion, why not volunteer to take on a project. Of course you want to get paid for your expertise and time, but, you may just have to prove to some people you have what it takes first. Go the extra mile. Ask if you can take on a specific side project that will benefit the company. See what they say. Talk to Your Commanding Officer If you dont have regularly scheduled meetings with your supervisor/manager, start asking for them now! We all know that some people just arent cut out to manage, let alone lead. Dont expect your manager to do more than they are capable of. Ask for a regularly scheduled meeting and suggest areas you would like to touch base on. Communicate your concerns without complaining. Ask for your managers input and suggestions, but ALWAYS have some of your own too! No one likes a complainer. Be a problem-solver. And dont be afraid to ask the tough questions you dont necessarily want the answers to. Are you satisfied with my performance?  I would like to feel more challenged by the work I am doing here. What would you recommend I do to earn extra responsibilities? Can you see any reason why you wouldnt support me as a candidate if I applied for the [internal job posting]? Theres No I in Team You have to learn to perform well as part of a team, plain and simple. It takes tact and diplomacy to get along with others (some call it Emotional Intelligence). And you have to be likable too. Sure, you may be the most knowledgeable expert around, but if people dont like working with you- well? Youre OUT, either literally or figuratively. You must figure out this stuff because it will come back to bite you again and again if you dont! Manage Up It has been my experience that there are many more bad managers than there are good ones. Learning to manage your manager is a skill that will help you again and again. Here are some quick posts for you to check out. Learn How to Manage Up HR Bartender The Simple Rule for Career Success: Manage Your Manager Yahoo! Finance Canada 10 Brilliant Tips for Dealing with a Difficult Boss from The Daily Muse Know When to Evacuate There may come a time when your last option is to get outta dodge. I hope you have exhausted all your options before you reach this point! It would be a shame to throw away a good thing.