Work-Life Integration

 It's not mysterious, and it's not like what you see on TV.  I'm saying you should be friends with your co-workers (okay, maybe not all of them), and if you can't, then you need to pack it up and go find someplace you can.  But first, a flashback...

The Let Down

 

A team leader in my company recently told me, "This job has one function: to fund my lifestyle".  What a letdown!  Almost like finding out that Groundhog Day isn't a national holiday (don't get me started on "Columbus Day".  A holiday for getting lost?  Really?).  I'm not advocating for those people who believe they live to work.  That crowd is delusional and in need of serious medication.  In my situation I actually chalk this up to the company losing (or never having) its culture.  Many of you may be scratching your head with the "company culture, eh?  I thought that was something from those leadership infomercials".  Let's use Zappos as an example. 

The Case Study (And Free Advertisement)

Tony Hsieh wrote about company culture and values in Delivering Happiness and made it pretty clear that these two things are the bedrock of Zappos.  It's no small wonder that his focus on culture and values has moved Zappos into one of the best places to work (#11 in 2012).  The company is phenomenal.  Employees are hired based upon how well they can integrate into, and contribute to, the company culture.  The important take-away?  The company core values are written down, and the management and owners make sure that these values, the foundation of the culture, are always communicated and encouraged regularly (not just a slide at the annual meeting).  Since the employees are part of a great culture, they also tend to be friends and have relationships outside of work.  Am I saying you shouldn't have non-work friends?  Not at all.  But do you have any people at work you would hang out with?  If not, why?  

What Now?

It's difficult to approach company leadership and ask questions about the core values and culture.  Many small businesses were started by the current set of leaders, and they may still be in that mindset of "It's not the why, it's the how and the when".  Working in a culture-less company is a very heavy burden for workers to bear.  If you are in this situation, take a moment and jot down some ideas about the culture and take them to a team leader or company leader.  Ask some hard questions (in a tactful way).  If they are less than receptive then you may have a decision to make.  Truly worthwhile work is something that must resonate with your core values, and if you cannot determine what your company values really are, then it may be time to start examining the situation.  A "thank goodness it's Friday, oh no it's Monday!" approach isn't how you want to spend your working life.  If you can't stand who you work with, then you need to change them or change you.  Plain and simple.