Introduction
Work is a fundamental part of life, and people spend a lot of time on the job. Although work allows people to pay bills, achieve goals, and maintain their desired lifestyles, not every workplace can be considered good or fulfilling. On the contrary, some jobs negatively impact employees, making them feel discouraged and unappreciated. Numerous factors contribute to the job having either a positive or negative impact on one’s life. My best and worst jobs differed significantly in management, relationships with colleagues, and impact on my goals and aspirations.
Personal Experience of Successful and Ineffective Management
Most workplaces have a management system to help the venture achieve its objectives. Furthermore, many different management styles can contribute to empowering or disparaging employees. My best job to date had an exceptional manager who was supportive, appreciative of the staff, and attentive to their problems and suggestions. In addition, they were an established professional in their field and were able to organize and help maintain a smooth workflow.
Meanwhile, my worst job had a relatively ineffectual manager who failed to influence employees positively. They were inconsiderate to staff and their problems and expected all employees to prioritize their jobs over their personal lives and families. For example, on several occasions, the manager canceled scheduled time off without warning due to being understaffed.
Another negative trait the manager exhibited regularly was micromanagement, significantly impeding the work process. Predictably, the turnover rate among the junior staff was pretty high. Thus, management is crucial in the workplace and can affect how employees experience their jobs.
Positive and Negative Influences of Coworkers
Besides management, coworkers are crucial in creating a positive or negative and unsafe workplace. The workplace that provided me with the best job experience had the most supportive and thoughtful coworkers. Thus, all the colleagues were open to discussion, communicated their needs and goals clearly, and were great team players. In particular, their dependability and helpfulness were much appreciated, as, at the start, it would have been challenging to fulfill my responsibilities on the job without help.
In contrast, the coworkers at my worst job were unhelpful, disorganized, and unreliable. For example, they rarely kept their obligations and promises and were keen to pass on their responsibilities to junior colleagues. Despite primary duties being delegated, senior staff failed to thoroughly explain what is needed and how those tasks should be performed. Moreover, rumors were persistent in that workplace, with many coworkers preferring to gossip about others rather than attend to their duties. Overall, colleagues at both jobs played a critical role in forming the experience.
Healthy and Problematic Workspace Environment
Furthermore, it can be argued that management and workmates create a specific atmosphere at the workplace, impacting one’s aspirations and ambitions. Exposure to a well-functioning, positive workplace environment can boost personal growth, while an ineffective job can stunt it. For instance, due to excellent management and supportive coworkers, the best job I ever had encouraged me to work towards self-improvement and achieve professional and personal goals. Specifically, it prompted me to sign up for additional courses and be more proactive in my studies.
In comparison, the inferior workplace adversely impacted my self-esteem and determination, resulting in me seizing to work on my ambitions. It left me discouraged, demoralized, and without the energy to pursue self-improvement activities. This workplace atmosphere made me feel that I was not qualified enough for the job and was unlikely to be hired for a better one. Thus, choosing a workplace can considerably impact one’s life and personal development.
Conclusion
In summary, various factors play a part in a job becoming a great workplace or negatively affecting employees. My best and worst jobs differed in many ways: management, relationships with colleagues, and their influence on my personal and professional goals and hopes for the future. Overall, these experiences shaped my expectations of the professional world and taught me how to adapt to different workplace environments.