Why You Shouldn't Seek Your Boss's Favor: Advice for a New Employee
When a person gets a new job, the first thing he tries to do is win the favor of his boss.
It doesn't matter which one: immediate or superior, and even better, both at once. Don't be overzealous.
Smart people act differently: they first study the atmosphere in the team, observe how employees communicate and what their priorities are. And frankness at work is generally undesirable, because here are far from friends.
At most, they are just colleagues, and in most cases, opponents and competitors. Unfortunately, everyone tries first and foremost for themselves, and they don't think at all about the feelings of others.
And managers are no exception in this case. They can feign concern and sincerity, although in reality they just need to keep their finger on the pulse and control the newcomer.
Why shouldn't you trust your boss and try to please him?
His friendliness is often deceptive. He will smile to your face, inquire about the physical well-being and psychological state of the new employee, give advice and recommend that you contact him directly on all issues.
But don't be fooled: this is just another game of the apparatus. Honesty and a leader, alas, are incompatible concepts, with very rare exceptions. It's just easier to manage a newbie: he hasn't settled in yet, and is in a rather vulnerable position.
And if he also has a difficult financial situation, he will endure everything and resign himself. And contradicting the boss is not in his interests, because starting a career with conflicts is not the best option.
In a normal institution there is a certain subordination, and if the manager personally violates it, reducing the distance between himself and the newcomer, this looks very suspicious.
Most likely, he needs a source of constant and detailed information, in other words, a "snitch".
This role is not as pleasant as it seems. Even if the team is really not the most decent, they hate informers. Even if a person cares only about himself and not about his colleagues, this is completely out of line.
By becoming the boss's personal reporter, he deliberately sets everyone against himself. But who knows what will happen tomorrow. What if the management changes? This will be a real blow to the "snitch": if he is not fired, then he will definitely not be brought closer to them. And he will be left without support with a crowd of embittered colleagues. And they will definitely drive him out, taking revenge for past grievances and misunderstandings.
Therefore, a new employee should focus primarily on job responsibilities rather than on building a relationship with the boss.
Of course, you can’t avoid contact completely, but everything should be within strictly defined limits.
Politeness, friendliness and neutrality are the main trump cards of a good employee. With them, he will definitely be able to win over not only the director, but also his colleagues. No need for behind-the-scenes games, just be yourself in any situation.
From all of the above it is clear that “masterly love” should not be the goal of an employee.
Of course, there is no need to make a scene or go on strike, but currying favor is not an option either.
Unfortunately, the boss's favorites are not liked anywhere, especially if they openly position themselves as such and allow liberties: being late in the morning or from lunch, leaving early, citing that "the boss let them go", taking a vacation under the guise of feeling unwell.
Sometimes office favorites are openly rude to others: they raise their voices, insult, humiliate, complain, and write reports.
