So...there's this phenomenon I refer to as going "Down the Rabbit Hole." And basically what that means is that, at some point, a person has lost his or her personal perspective. Anyone familiar with the Jim Jones debacle can feel free to use the analogy of saying "Don't drink the Koolaid."
For our purposes, I'll just cut to the chase and say the moral of this lesson is to never let organization or office politics guide your decision making. I know that sounds like words of a rebel speaking, of someone naive to the ways of the world. And I may have mentioned some variation of this lesson in an earlier post. But truly, I am anything but naive about things like this, knowing full well the importance of not falling prey to the whole "loyalty" trap.
If you work long enough and pay attention to how the workplace has evolved, you are savvy enough to understand that no one is safe these days from replacement -- even downsizing. This is because there is a new version of company loyalty in force. The kind that is not nearly as interested in company men and women as they are in having people that are not certifiable and certainly are competent enough to get enough of the job done to keep them from having to do it themselves. Live to see another day is the new mantra. Maneuver, meet the right folks to keep it moving (because stagnancy can be a point of vulnerability), and along the way "pay the Pied Piper!" No one wants to be the odd-man-out, or seen as the naysayer in an organization. However, it is important to understand that in these difficult economic times no one is safe from scrutiny or job security vulnerability.
What can you do to protect yourself? Keeping a level-head is about as much as an individual can do to protect one's self from getting sucked into political plays. Even that great boss that says he or she has your back will do what is necessary - from his or her perspective - to live-to-see-another-day (I love James Bond, don't you?). So caution is paramount. Do your job, and do it well. But continue to build upon your skill set. You will likely need it later on - even if just to have in your repertoire.
A final word: Be vigilant but not vigilante. Even though the boss may like your spunk, and the benefits thereof, understand that the stakes are significantly higher for you than they are for the boss. Again, a little perspective goes a long way. Always advocate for things that will make your life (at the job) easier or better. If what your boss is advocating for doesn't make sense or will make things more difficult for you, be cautious and aware. Don't become the mascot, but neither should you become a hindrance. But be the diplomat, representing the true advocate. In the end, the truth always comes out: just don't let the truth prove that your over-enthusiasm about a cause has caused you to overplay the hand that you've been dealt.
