(Photo / Japanese drama Ekiden / I really like the protagonist's courageous attitude in pursuing himself)
Finally, the last post of my first job's important insights has arrived. There was a time when I really hated work, even complaining to friends every day about "Why do people even have to work!" — such immature complaints, and I meant them sincerely, not as jokes! Looking back on this period now, it seems I've actually grown quite a bit. Even people close to me have told me, "You're not as impatient as you used to be!"
If it were my former manager who saw this article, they would definitely question what authority I have to say this. The reason I describe it this way is that the person who least understood the principle of "learning to express your own position" was probably me.
How do I put this — I mentioned in the previous post that I'm someone who cares a lot about what others think. Not only that, I'm also "afraid of being contradicted," "afraid of criticism," always worried that something is wrong with me, constantly feeling like others' negative remarks are criticism — this is my overthinking nature.
Worst of all, when facing issues, I don't dare express my own thoughts. Whatever others say, I just agree, unwilling to voice my opinion, like a closed clam. That was me — my manager would have to ask me many times before I'd even say a little bit. (Sorry, manager > <)
"Just say what you want to say, hurry up. You're not a university student anymore." This is what I once heard a manager tell a new employee, having nearly lost patience, yet the person still stammered.
But looking at it from another angle, from a manager's perspective, what they care about is "whether there are any loopholes in the project," "what mistakes need to be fixed," "how the progress is coming along." Their mind is on how to complete the entire project, not on "your feelings."
Often we make a mistake thinking that others find our ideas foolish or that they care about our feelings. But as a manager, from past to present, they've definitely encountered many different types of colleagues and employees, even various unexpected situations. When they ask for your opinion, they mainly want to understand how the project is progressing and what your expertise and abilities are — how to allocate personnel.
Of course, even a little bit, your opinions and perspectives are one of the elements that help move things forward. If you clearly know something could make things better but don't say it in time, it might lead to a situation where "you never said anything," instead putting yourself in an "I don't know what to do" predicament.
Then I finally understood
(Photo / Japanese drama Ekiden / Maturely expressing your thoughts and fighting for your position is very important)
Learning to express your own position is a mature work attitude
But this doesn't mean we have to stand out or take credit from others. Rather, it's about maintaining your own judgment and perspective on matters and expressing them completely, fighting for what you deserve and what you want. Even if the other person opposes you and counters, as long as it's not deliberate nitpicking, it's actually a form of "communication" and "discussion." Both sides are simply trying to convince each other or understand the full picture. If you're willing to express yourself, the other person will know you're someone who can communicate, and naturally you'll meet like-minded good friends on this career path.
As a newcomer, when you spot problems, ask more questions rather than staying silent about everything, not speaking up about difficulties, or assuming that speaking up will make people dislike you. Because if you don't fight for certain things in time, over time your self-image will become fixed, and others will be even less willing to understand your heart, your boundaries, your needs, or what you want.
When arranging your duties and assigning work, they might worry that you're dissatisfied, worry that you actually have opinions but won't voice them. Then, when you finally get misunderstood, you complain to heaven and earth, asking why they can't understand you, only to end up with labels like "difficult to work with," "weak," "not suitable" — this isn't good for your colleagues or supervisors in the workplace.
However, I understand that sometimes you're just not brave enough, wanting to cooperate with everyone, wanting to go along with the crowd — that feels safest.
But in the workplace, you are an important screw, and you should become a distinctive individual, making the organization better, and not be a silent vase, watching others fight for what they want while you can only silently admire.
But don't overcorrect — criticizing harshly regardless of right or wrong, only thinking about your own interests. That's not "fighting for yourself," that's "being self-righteous," thinking everyone trusts you, when in fact, put another way, people respect you not because you're excellent, but because "others are excellent"!
【Work Insights Series, Part 2—Five Articles】
First Job Insights (Part 2-1): Not Only Choose a Good Company, But Also Choose a Good Manager
First Job Insights (Part 2-2): Address Issues on Their Merit, Don't Let Emotions Lead You
First Job Insights (Part 2-3): Doing the Job Well Is Basic, Doing People Is More Important
First Job Insights (Part 2-4): You're Not Omnipotent, Don't Take Everything On
