You’re Not Corporate, Not Yet An Idiot. pt. 1
Power positions and positions of power are the benchmark of capitalism and the benches have lots of leg room.
I used to think
I had the answers to everything
But now I know
That life doesn’t always
Go my way, yeah
Feels like I’m caught in the middle
That’s when I realize
— Britney Spears
I’m not corporate, not yet an idiot…
At will employment is over exhausted and all too familiar. Entering a “just over broke”(a.k.a. job) you never think the lessons learned in grammar school will come in handy, but they do.
The playground and the games you played determined your friends, confidants, and social ranking. On the rare occasion your class was forced to participate in a group game there were sides to be taken and decisions to be made. Building your side of the rope was a delicate and strategic process. Your chosen team to win came with knowledge. The knowledge of strength and endurance from matches before. However, entering a new work force you rely soley on instincts and your livelihood depends on it. So what do you do when the rope is long, but you find yourself in the middle?
The middle is a dangerous place to be. When I say middle I’m not referring to title or position but rather the familiarity with your fellow co-workers. You’re new to some but not new to all. Who knows exactly what you bring to the table and is it in their favor for you to be there? In the corporate world you can leverage just about anything and ways to get ahead are vast. Hidden agendas, ladder climbing, and self preservation that can get in the way of execution of any venture worth taking on and at the end of the day everyone is usually out for themselves (we all saw Squid Game). You can only hope your team plays their position on the rope for success. If not, you all run the risk of being chopped.
You’re in the machine. You’re excelling. You’ve proven time and time again to be the best hire and person in your position…but you’re cooperate. If you’re actually reaping the benefits of being properly compensated (in this economy) you’re more than likely overworked, overstressed, understaffed, and mentally exhausted. On the flip side you could be underpaid and having the same exact circumstances. Pick your poison, however, this is not what you signed up for. Le struggle is what the French call it if I’m not mistaken. Wee wee. Yes, wee wee. All around.
Do you stay or do you go? After all you’re not an idiot and living hand to mouth is not cute no matter how cute you are. So you stay. Over time the wear and tear will show just like the upgrades claims done in your apartment. You need to pivot, but how? The tug of war of you now play is protecting yourself and also not biting the hand that feeds you.
“Aside from velcro, time is the most mysterious substance in the universe.” — Dave Barry
You start your journey but carefully because remember you’re at will, “not yet an idiot…”
