23:10
Faizan
Complacency is one of the silent killers in the IT industry. It takes formerly intelligent, ambitious techies and turns them into the zombies of the workplace. They haunt the halls of tech companies across the world and their numbers are growing. One small achievement or simply remaining in a position, putting in minimal effort and not getting fired are drivers of complacency, but so is disengagement. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged at work. Worried you're becoming complacent or disengaged, at your job? Turn the cycle around now before you get converted to the dark side.
- Don't let your guard down. Only the shortsighted let their guard down in the information technology industry, where change is rapid and disruptive behaviors are common. The best way to be comfortable with your burgeoning IT career is to constantly immerse yourself in new technologies. If you stop learning simply because you've completed your degree or have a few years of experience under your belt, the complacency effect will creep up on you and, when you're ready to look for a new opportunity--because you think it's time to move on or you were let go--many doors will be closed because you refused to expand your tech knowledge when you had the chance. This will leave you stuck in the same role with no hope for escape, the perfect recipe for complacency.
- Define your personal brand, rather than following the horde. When you are unaware of your personal strengths, passions and values, it's impossible to predict what kind of workplace you'll thrive in. Coming up with your personal brand--an amalgamation of your vision, values and self-assessment--will offer you the clarity you need to avoid opportunities that will lead to complacency. If you're following your vision, the inherent drive and passion will help keep you engaged even during slower seasons at work. Need help identifying your personal brand? Write down a description of where you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years and so on. Then, create a list of your strengths in the workplace. Finally, identify your workplace values. The combination of these lists should provide a consistent brand that will guide you to opportunities that inspire a steady, productive pace at work that is less vulnerable to disengagement.
- Don't underestimate the power of your fellow techies. While it's not always possible to meet everyone you work with, make it a priority to bond with a few of your coworkers in every position. These relationships could launch potential successful collaborations, recommendations or simply give you the sense of camaraderie you need to remain engaged and focused on your techie passions.
- Don't let success get to your head. Some people will work diligently to impress their peers, their boss or their clients. Once you've gone above and beyond the call of duty you're sure to be the object of praise and admiration around the office. It's easy to let this success go to your head and, when it does, complacency often rears its ugly head. To avoid this pitfall, you'll need to divorce praise for a job well done from your driving motivation to do the job. Instead, focus on pushing your own limits. If you're competing with your best self, your work will be driven to new heights and unexpected places each and every time. This will not only end the cycle of complacency but also elevate your IT career.
- Don't let your guard down. Only the shortsighted let their guard down in the information technology industry, where change is rapid and disruptive behaviors are common. The best way to be comfortable with your burgeoning IT career is to constantly immerse yourself in new technologies. If you stop learning simply because you've completed your degree or have a few years of experience under your belt, the complacency effect will creep up on you and, when you're ready to look for a new opportunity--because you think it's time to move on or you were let go--many doors will be closed because you refused to expand your tech knowledge when you had the chance. This will leave you stuck in the same role with no hope for escape, the perfect recipe for complacency.
- Define your personal brand, rather than following the horde. When you are unaware of your personal strengths, passions and values, it's impossible to predict what kind of workplace you'll thrive in. Coming up with your personal brand--an amalgamation of your vision, values and self-assessment--will offer you the clarity you need to avoid opportunities that will lead to complacency. If you're following your vision, the inherent drive and passion will help keep you engaged even during slower seasons at work. Need help identifying your personal brand? Write down a description of where you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years and so on. Then, create a list of your strengths in the workplace. Finally, identify your workplace values. The combination of these lists should provide a consistent brand that will guide you to opportunities that inspire a steady, productive pace at work that is less vulnerable to disengagement.
- Don't underestimate the power of your fellow techies. While it's not always possible to meet everyone you work with, make it a priority to bond with a few of your coworkers in every position. These relationships could launch potential successful collaborations, recommendations or simply give you the sense of camaraderie you need to remain engaged and focused on your techie passions.
- Don't let success get to your head. Some people will work diligently to impress their peers, their boss or their clients. Once you've gone above and beyond the call of duty you're sure to be the object of praise and admiration around the office. It's easy to let this success go to your head and, when it does, complacency often rears its ugly head. To avoid this pitfall, you'll need to divorce praise for a job well done from your driving motivation to do the job. Instead, focus on pushing your own limits. If you're competing with your best self, your work will be driven to new heights and unexpected places each and every time. This will not only end the cycle of complacency but also elevate your IT career.
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