JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS:The “Client Experience” Employee: Transform your career-1

This episode is part of our JOYFUL ART OF BUSINESS™ series and we are exploring the specific issue of, “The “Client Experience” Employee: How it transforms careers!” (Part 1 of 2)

The most common frustrations and complaints that employees share with me in regards to their employers relate to differing expectations of each party. Many employees expect that an employer will care about their personal lives, will “respect” them (as manifested in appreciation gestures), and that the employer should be loyal to them and treat them as an equal partner. There is a belief that if the employee makes sacrifices (of time, etc.) the employer should reciprocate with commitment to a longterm mutually beneficial employment relationship.

These employees perceive that the employers should consider their feelings, personal obligations and experiences in crafting the work environment (schedules, etc.) and that the employer “owes” the employee the “stability” of an on-going position as long as they are “doing their job.” There also appears to be the belief that the employers should be able to share and implement their ideas and practices to improve the organization. Frustrated employees lament that they “want the best” for the organization and that they “care” about it but they are “fed up” with the way they are ignored and not consulted in the decision making process.  

It sounds, generally, to me that these employees have expectations for an employer somewhat analogous to what we would expect in a loved one. We expect them to consult with us (to ask us) what we think prior to unilaterally making and implementing decisions. Should we expect that from an employer?

Let’s explore in Part 1 of this 2 part episode!