When the Neon Sign Says 'QUIT'

When I was younger, I jumped from one job to another. I made emotional factors affect my decision of leaving or staying at a job. I tried to be creative about it during some interviews in the past, but in the recent years, I have no longer concealed my immature and reckless decisions of quitting a job.

I have been in the workforce for 11 years now. I would say I have gotten over immature career decisions after 4 or 5 crazy years. Since then, I have carefully planned my career path and have strategically selected the companies I have associated myself with.

But I have learned that no matter how solid your career plans are, how good you are at your job, or how big the salary you are getting, the words "exit", "quit" and "leave" flash like a neon sign. The kind of people you work with plays a very important factor. 

There are three types of employees any company may have: the one who cares about the money he is getting from his job, the one who cares about the job and the one who cares about keeping a career. Character draws the difference among the three. 

The employee who cares about the money he is getting from his job usually does not care about how he gets the work done as long as he gets his money payday after payday. The employee who cares about the job is concerned about the quality of his output and the impression that the entire company makes to its stakeholders. The employee who cares about keeping a career will do everything he can to impress the boss(es).

Still unclear? Let's dig in.

I will not dwell on the first type. He is that douche in the office. There is no need to elaborate. They do not matter.

The second type is that one who does not need close supervision as he knows what the goals are and will do his best to exceed them. He focuses on work when it is time to work that he barely exerts time and effort to get to know people from the office personally. The office is his workplace, and beyond its vicinity is the rest of his life where he gets the happiness and drama that he needs to keep his sanity.

The third type is the ambitious type. He has laid out his career plans despite his lack of competency needed for the bigger role. He finds security in putting people down by humiliating them in front of others so he can solicit respect. He takes credit for other people's hard work so he will seem heroic. He religiously checks out the social media to make it as his basis for the gossips that he cooks up against co-workers, and then makes the stupid excuse of being concerned that the issue might affect that person's job performance. The saddest part about this third type? They are usually the leaders that you are supposed to look up to.

I am more of the second type. I value work-life balance that I focus on my efficiency at work and the quality of my work whenever I am inside the office, and then attend to my son, my family, my friends and myself as soon as my shift ends. I love what I do at work, but I make sure I do not fall in love with it as it might shift me to the third type. (Eeeww!)

There is nothing wrong with having a career goal. I adore people who want to make it to the top. When you have set your goal, make sure to equip yourself with the skill needed. Trust me when I say there is no greater feeling than being respected for the excellence that you show in your craft. Do not be silly by trying so hard to be intimidating. That NEVER works.

When you become a leader, lift people up by encouraging them instead of pressuring them. Appreciate more than you would reprimand. Set the right example. Do not be the type of leader who shows his best only when your bosses are around unless you want your subordinates to do the same. Lastly, get a life. Enjoy your hard-earned money instead of spending your scarce spare time giving too much attention to what people share on social media (like what you may be doing right now).

There is no better workplace than one that is surrounded with leaders that you can effortlessly respect. If most leaders in the workplace promote the culture of gossip, arrogance and deceit, the exit sign will become every good employee's silver lining.

It is sad to realize after some time that your career plans need to be held off. But rather than being consumed by a culture that does not match your values, there is nothing more liberating than following that neon sign. 

I just did.