Banging

Not so quiet quitting

Photo by Rafael Ishkhanyan on Unsplash

“I don't want to work
I want to bang on the drum all day - Todd Rundgren

I like working, I must confess. I like doing and accomplishing. I enjoying serving others. I have always supposed that most do. I may need to rethink that.

Feeling satisfied and engaged at what you do for a living is deeply important, and having that - being able to have that - is not a given. Perhaps that’s why, in the wake of the Pandemic, so many are reassessing their vocational circumstances, seeking balance. A new trending phrase is “quiet quitting.” It may be a new phrase but not a new, new thing.

Those that don’t feel job satisfaction feel that way for many reasons (like Tolstoy’s unhappy families.) They may be stuck doing things that they’d rather not, or are in situations they are forced into by circumstances not of their doing or in their control. I’ve been there, in between more satisfactory gigs, when I’ve had to keep food on the table and oil in the furnace and have just done what had to be done. I expect many of you have also experienced this directly.

It’s a frustrating, demeaning and demoralizing feeling, being stuck like that. It’s easier to get pulled deeper into that unhappy circumstance than to climb out of it. Fortunately, most people tend to know how to look after themselves. If presented with an opportunity to better their circumstances, they will. And they are.

Bottom line: Employees don't leave jobs where they are being compensated fairly, have growth opportunities, and the culture is healthy. Organizations are always doing what's best for the company, and so should working people do what's best for themselves.

How much more evidence is needed by those bemoaning that they can’t find employees? If you don’t treat your employees well, they will find another company that will. And they are. In droves.

And making sweet music in a new band, with a new bandleader.