I am Currently Employed But Feel Extremely Vulnerable. What Can I Do To Reduce These Feelings?
In order to be clear about the optimal path forward for you it is really important to understand what might be the key problem/challenge facing you. If you have not already done so, answer the following questions:
1. Is the way you are feeling particular to you or is it shared by others in your department, your agency/company, the industry or possibly because of broader macroeconomic realities? The point is, are these feelings more about your personal circumstance or the ‘bigger picture?’
i) Personal Circumstance (skip to 2)
ii) Bigger Picture (skip to 6)
2. What are the main reasons you are feeling vulnerable?
i) I do not get on well with my boss. (skip to 3)
ii) I do not get on well with my client and/or my client’s business is tanking. (skip to 4)
iii) I know ‘they’ are looking to make reductions/further reductions here. (skip to 5)
iv)The department I work in is considered large and likely to receive cuts/further cuts. (skip to 5)
v) I was the last in and would be the first out. (skip to 5)
vi) I am a big ticket item. ‘They’ need to save money! (skip to 5)
3. Think about this. Why specifically don't you or don't you ‘think’ you get on with your boss? Perhaps you do. (Can you get some perspective from people that see you interact with your boss) and if you don’t what’s the reason? Is it something you can do something about? (skip to 6)
4. Not ‘getting on’ with your client is one issue but their business ‘tanking’ may explain the former issue and will certainly affect it. Again, be clear as to what factors are causing the stresses in the relationship. And most important, at a time when many of us are seeking clear direction to protect and grow business, think how you can be proactive in helping your client and this will if nothing else be appreciated. (skip to 6)
5. Quite possibly ‘cuts’ may occur but you need to focus on your own ‘game plan.’ You may wish to do the following:
i) With your client - Enhance the relationship by going ‘over and above’ what is expected of you and try to anticipate problems and provide solutions/ new ways for your clients to optimize their business. If the client is happy with you or is increasing its spending, this will certainly help your cause.
ii) With the agency – Most businesses are ‘challenged’ and can carry no ‘extra baggage.’ Help the agency directly in terms of proactively being known to suggest ideas to make or save money and/or help morale/team build, so essential in the current climate.
iii) With you – Prepare options for yourself. Know what else is ‘out there.’ Have a clear sense of your capabilities/conduct your own brand audit (See SPARKIN COACHING)
6. Just turn on the news (or better - do not) and you have very compelling reasons to feel vulnerable! That said, the reality is some industries are performing better and some departments better than others. The truth is that there is genuinely a shortage of talent even now. The challenge for companies is still to retain their performers who keep clients. So, your best strategy is to control what you can control, which is:
i) Your focus - Focus your effort and willingness to do all you can to take initiative to help your clients and company prosper. As much as possible, make yourself invaluable.
ii) Your knowledge - Seek to develop it and to become an expert in some aspect of it. This makes you more valuable internally and more marketable externally.
iii) Your options – Whilst you should be loyal to your employer, if market conditions become dire your employer would be prepared to lay you off. So, be aware of your career options and proactively start managing your brand. See SPARKIN COACHING.
If you feel the questions above are helpful in beginning to understand your situation and are ready to learn more, see Coaching/What I Do For You
SPARKIN CONNECTION If you know you want another job and you have a good sense that is more of the same (but with more responsibility/money/recognition) in a different organization.
SPARKIN COACHING
If you feel the above questions are helpful but you are unsure of ‘what’s next’ or uncertain about what the ‘optimal’ next step is or you are unclear ‘how to manifest’ a chosen direction but want to move forward, see Coaching/What I Do For You
To learn about How We Work Together with you and what I charge for coaching, click ‘How We Work Together’