As a 20-year career coaching veteran who left corporate America and the staffing industry to become an advocate for you, the worker, I have a lot to say about this concept of quiet quitting.
“Quiet Quit” Is Not The Right Term
@j.t.odonnell Replying to @messympath I would NEVER quiet quit, here’s why… #nono #quietquitting #quietquittingmyjob #learnontiktok #careeradvice #jobtok #careertiktok #careermode ⬠original sound – J.T. O’Donnell
First of all, it’s not the right term. If you really want to quiet quit, it’s very derogatory, it’s very negative, and it implies you’re phoning it in. And here’s my concern with that. If that’s the route you want to go and you want to outwardly give the impression that you’re phoning it in, you can’t. Because you’re a service provider to your employer. They pay you for a service. And if they’re in a pinch and they need that service and you’re capable of fulfilling that business need while having a checked-out attitude, then everything works fine.
Quiet Quitters Are The First To Get Laid Off
But if the market changes and your company is in a position to get rid of some people, who are they going to get rid of? The quiet quitters. The ones they don’t feel are coming to work with the right attitude or working at the right level.
And that’s their prerogative. It’s just business.
If you’re feeling like you need to quiet quit because your company is taking advantage of you, you need to have a conversation with me about how to set boundaries and work smarter (not harder) while still making your employer happy.
I have worked with lots of women whose definition of success was working 60+ hours a week in corporate America. After having their first baby, they go back to their job and only work 40 hours a week. Then, in their next performance review, they get told their performance was average and they don’t get an outstanding rave review, and they’re so angry.
In your employer’s mind, you took something away. Whether it’s right or wrong doesn’t matter. That’s the perception.
Quiet Quitting Isn’t Going Unnoticed
This is why I’m really worried about all these people who love the idea of quiet quitting. If you don’t think it’s getting noticed, it is. And if the market shifts, you could see results that you’re not happy with.
It’s way more importantâif you are not feeling good about the environment you’re inâto learn how to become what I call a Workplace Renegade. That means an independent thinker, somebody who can figure out the best relationship for them and their company. And if that relationship isn’t working for you anymore, then we help you find something else and open up that job for someone who would be happy with it.
Take ownership of your career, folks. Stop being angry at the employer. You have more control than you think!
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