Workplace democracy, no elections here

Election Hoopla

There is election Hoopla in the air; I can’t help but relate the current political themes to corporate life. 

Don’t worry. This post isn’t going to get political. You won’t hear any pitching for a party or bitching about another.  I have worked in HR for a long time, so I know more.  Religion and politics are the elephants in the room, I mean, ass in the workplace. 

This week, I want to discuss my observation of employees carrying personal habits into their professional lives.   Some personal habits, like common courtesy and washing your hands, are good. Some personal habits, BAAADDDD. These need to stay at home.  Loud talkers, chewing with your mouth open and bitching about a decision made, BAAADDDD.      

The United States is a democracy

This brings me to the political theme that is so prominent this week.  The United States is a democracy, which means the people vote, and the majority wins.  It’s pretty straightforward.  After the election, the losing party doesn’t get to ask the question. It’s not going to be 2 out of 3.  This is a one-shot deal. Votes are counted, a verdict is called, and the gavel is dropped.  This is how it has been for a couple of hundred years. Until there is a coup, I see this happening for at least our lifetime.  I like this system. Although I may not appreciate the outcome of all votes, I appreciate the choice to live within the system.  Yes, it is a choice, and yes, I appreciate democracy.    

To me, it gets interesting AFTER the vote in the US. Let’s say the vote consists of two choices.  One is a Fuji Apple. The other choice is a Satsuma Orange.  Fuji Apple wins, and there isn’t much I can do about it short of moving out of the country. I need to live with Fuji Apple.   I don’t need to love it, but I need to live with it.   If I were smart, I would make apple pie.   

Elections and Personal life

If I voted for Fuji Apple and the Satsuma Orange wins, I can bitch all I want about the outcome.  I can rant, rave, blog, or write about my feelings and the outcome.  Post on YouTube?  No Problem.  I can then go and piss everyone off at the local watering hole.  

It doesn’t change anything. Depending on how vocal I am and how many beers I have had, I may or may not get kicked out of the local hangout.  For the most part, patrons and the waitress will look at me like the drunken ass I am.    

Side note: I hope and pray that the leaders of my company, HR, or management aren’t at the watering hole.  Hopefully, my buddies didn’t photograph me face down in a bowl of Ranch dressing.

Elections and Professional Life

It’s a little different in professional corporate America.  For most of us, company decisions are made without our input.  It usually isn’t a vote.  There is one CEO, commander, chief, boss, manager, or leader. Decisions aren’t made via Rock Paper Scissors or a Vote.  Decisions are made by folks who probably have more information than I do.  After a company decision is made, I live with it. 

The difference is that after that company decision is made, I CANNOT be as vocal as I may want.  I cannot go to the company lunchroom and bitch vocally about the recent decision. I can, but it is painfully apparent that this would be a CLM, aka ‘Career-Limiting Move.’

The difference between my Democratic country and corporate America is that this is a FREE country. The company is PAYING me.  Nothing stops me from being negatively vocal about a company decision. Trust me, eyebrows are being raised, and names are being crossed off lists. Santa just decided to skip your house this year. 

Freedom of speech in the workplace

Too many people think that Freedom of Speech extends to the workplace.  It does not.  Not only does this NOT extend to the workplace, but this mythical unicorn could not be further from the truth.  You PAY TAXES for the Freedom of Speech. We are PAID A SALARY for your support of company decisions. 

Am I asking you to bend to the Man, kiss his hand, and bow with a flourish?  No, I am asking for some diplomacy, tact, and courtesy.  It is OK to disagree with an idea or a decision.  Most leaders want disagreement because it helps solidify the stance where there is a healthy discussion.  For the sake of your reputation, disagree productively.

After the election results, Donald Trump went on a Twitter tirade.  He can do this.  The United States is a free country. He feels he has F.U. money.  Could you imagine that happening in corporate America after a company decision is made and announced? 

The company is paying the employee.  The employee is not paying the company 

If he had tweeted the above about a company decision, his career would have been shuttered, his reputation tainted, and it would probably be tough to get another job anywhere in the free world.  This is the difference between a Free country and being Paid at work.   

A guy with Trump’s connections and stature could make a positive difference.  I can only imagine how much influence he would have had if he had gone after the results differently. 

EG: When a company meeting is called and an announcement is made, that is not the time to go ballistic. This is not the time to question the company’s direction.  When an all-company email announces a new benefits plan with higher rates, that is not the time to publicly question the benefits.  THE TIME is after the meeting and behind closed doors.  THE WAY is with diplomacy.   You attract bees with honey. Asking questions is honey.  Accusing the decision is the hungry bear.         

Consensus:  When negotiating with a room full of executives, and we do not agree, I will sometimes ask for a “consensus.” There are some decisions that don’t need everyone’s support. Some departments may not have a dog in the race. I clarify what consensus means to the group very clearly.  

I am not looking for you to Love the idea. We are not looking for you to Like the idea.  I have one question for the people in the room.  “Can you LIVE with the idea? Can you not torpedo this idea?” 

In the working environment, you are being paid a salary. You are not being asked to love all ideas.  The company wants you to live with the idea. Companies are paying you to work with decisions you may not appreciate. The company would appreciate your support on these ideas.  At the very least, the company asks you not to torpedo their ideas.  The corporate world is not a democracy.  If it were a democracy, there would have been an election for your manager and CEO.  When was the last time you saw an election in the workplace? 

See you at the after party,

HRNasty 

nasty: an unreal maneuver of incredible technique, something that is ridiculously good, tricky, and manipulative but with a result that can’t help but be admired, a phrase used to describe someone good at something. “He has a nasty forkball”.

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