How is your day REALLY going?

This furry rodent is kind of cute looking, and the theme to a great Bill Murray movie, but that’s not what this article is about. 

Groundhog Day according to tradition, means that when a groundhog emerges from hibernation and sees its shadow it assumes a late spring and immediately goes back into hibernation.  But if you’re looking for something less fairy tale, it means “a situation in which events are or appear to be continually repeated”. 

To expand on that, in a career or job, it can simply mean……..

Stagnation 

What exactly is stagnation?  According to the dictionary, it is defined as “a failure to develop, progress, or advance”.  This can often be a slow creep.  Years can go by and then when you stop to contemplate where you are, you realise that it’s the same place you were when you started. 

What do you need to look for to understand if this is happening to you? 

Complacency 

This would probably be one of the most common themes.  You may have started the latest buzz term of “silent quitting” which I define as clocking in and clocking out or just doing the job, getting things done effectively without going the extra mile or seeking new challenges.  This is a sure sign that you aren’t engaged and it can come about from not seeing the benefit in going that extra mile whether that be financially or for promotion. 

Communication 

Where you no longer speak up or engage in conversations about work or submit ideas either toward your job development or the company you work for.  Another sign could be that you no longer ask about your potential and/or your chance of promotion within the business. This is a sign that you have given up hope of being heard. 

Toxic Culture 

Where you don’t engage due to a culture of fear, or of not being listened to.  Where you have an environment where people are shut down, criticised, ignored or laughed at for making suggestions or ideas, people will simply stop engaging. 

You could also be a more introverted personality and need the right forum or environment to be able to share your ideas or suggestions.  This needs to be made available within your company for you to feel comfortable in doing so. 

What can you do if you are stagnating? 

If this has been going on for some time, the likelihood of it suddenly changing is slim.  You need to make a decision to take your career in your own hands. Whatever you do though, don’t do nothing. 

Decide on the type of company culture that would be best for you.  Look for companies that are progressive and have strong employee engagement, development and training in place.  This is important as this shows that those who want to progress and learn and develop will be given opportunities as they come through the business. 

Communication and employee engagement can be difficult to effectively achieve, especially in larger companies, however, when it is done right and driven by the right people, especially by management, it helps with engagement and retention. 

I leave this with a quote I often see pop up on Linked In ...... “Never push a loyal person to the point that they no longer care” 

About Simone Storey

Simone is an experienced Recruitment Consultant who specialises in recruiting intermediate through to management level engineers particularly in the structural, civil, mechanical and fire sectors. These particular sectors provide unique recruitment challenges, something of which she is very familiar with.

Her background also brings a results oriented and people focussed perspective, along with a solid understanding of the needs of both employer and employee. Simone has a focus on building these relationships to add value for both candidate and employer alike, for her recruitment is not merely a transaction.