What Do You Need From Me?

Work is a place where we give and we get.

Some days, it feels like we're giving far more than we're getting. 

Where things go quickly wrong is when expectations are not clear. If employers don't communicate what they expect of their employees (i.e. what they need), how will they know? And vice versa. If employees are not expressing what they really need in order to be fulfilled and productive, the employers have no way of knowing.

What employers deceive themselves into thinking they need from their employees is someone who sits at a desk or moves around in a building (aka at work) for 8 to 10 hours a day, looking busy, talking loud or not talking at all (depending on the, dare I say it, culture), shuffling paper, saying 'yes' to everything, moving parts, navigating spreadsheets, and so on. Really, they can probably do many if not all of those things in the comfort of their own home and still be productive. And many employees probably prefer to do so BUT they're not asked or, if they're asked, their employer doesn't really care. All of the above, and more, can soak the creativity out of otherwise creative and driven individuals. 

Regardless of the size of an organization, employers need to get straight to the point and ask their people: What do you need from me? The sincere ones will tell you. For example, I need clear direction on what my job is, what winning looks like, good pay, and a flexible work schedule built on trust. For me, work is work. It's not family, it's not a place to socialize or boost my ego. Unless you have no other social network I do understand how work can be a place for socializing and connecting. But for many, it's simply something we do and somewhere we go in order to make money.

So, get to the heart of the matter. Whether you're an employer or an employee , ask: What do you need from me?