The Good Ol’ Boys Network

(One of the 83 quick and practical life & work lessons from Sh*t Sandwich: Quick & Practical Success Lessons for Practically Anyone.)

The GOBN (Part Two)

Are you one of those who believes that nearly every employer or manager you’ve ever worked for has some sort of vendetta against you? That you’re somehow the target of their unjust harassment and scorn?

Somehow The GOBN (Good Ol’ Boys Network) is holding you back, because The GOBN just doesn’t like “your kind?”

Guess what? It’s not them, it’s you. You are the problem.

Is it possible or even probable that you’ve had bosses with chips on their shoulders? Absolutely. In fact, I would be surprised if you’re over 30 and had never had a boss like that. Of course, I can tell you that 99.9% of those still want to get the job done more than they want to fire you. If you help them reach their goals – and you do this without being an asshole or making their jobs any harder – they will leave you alone. In fact, some of them might actually promote you. What they won’t do is fire you unjustly. Why would they want to do that?

Every time a manager fires someone or forces an employee to quit, they make their own job that much harder. At the very least they have to find and train a replacement. Moreover, firing someone often requires paperwork, the payment of unemployment compensation, and the potential for a lawsuit. None of these are attractive outcomes for even the most sinister of bosses; and all of these require more work – something the average manager wants to avoid.

Want to know a secret to a healthy, happy work life?

Managers want you to arrive for work on time. They want you to work every bit of your scheduled shift with a smile. They want you to show up each day well-rested, clean and with a great attitude. They want you to work hard and they want you to appreciate them.

Amazingly, these facts are lost on so many employees. Perhaps because it’s easier to play the victim than to look in the mirror and realize that even you wouldn’t hire you.

The truth is there is no GOBN – at least not an organized one that’s designed to hold anyone back. There are asshole bosses, of course, but amazingly, these perceived enemies of yours just want you to do your job.

Don’t believe me? Try leaving the drama at home, arriving to your job on time with a smile, and ready to work for about a month. If you don’t get promoted by the end of those 30 days, then try it again for another 30 days. In fact, try it for the rest of your life; you’ll be amazed how the GOBN love someone who does their job.

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