Hard Truths About the Workplace No One Warns You About

"When signs appear, quietly prepare for exit."

1. Your boss is not your friend.

Robert Greene, in his book The 48 Laws of Power, presents cases for each law that teach us a lot more than the law itself. The one law that has everyone talking about it, especially in the political scene, is the first law: never outshine your master. He says

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior.

The fact that your boss is not your friend means the existing relationship is based on authority and hierarchy. Regardless of how close you both are, learn to set PROFESSIONAL boundaries.  This, however, should not be taken to mean your boss is your enemy. This simply implies that your friends relate to you as an equal, whereas your boss doesn't. When it comes to productivity and what you are expected to do, your boss will shelve his friendly nature and deal with you as a boss during the appraisal. Do not overshare or act too familiarly, thinking that goodwill will override hierarchy. One thing to understand is that oversharing exposes you. You will find yourself exposing your fears, limitations, ambitions, and even personal issues, which might be used against you at a time when you least expect it. When faced with a case where he has to defend himself against the sack, he will go against you without a second thought. A boss will never protect you in an inconvenient situation, but a friend will. There are situations in which workers have been encouraged to vent to friendly ears, only for them to be relieved of their duties. At the workplace, when dealing with your boss,

• Share only work-related information
• No matter how close you are to the boss, be respectful and do your assignments.
• Never form a gossip partnership with your boss. Stop discussing your colleagues or other bosses with him.
• Your boss can be your friend, but do not rely on your closeness to him at work. Let your productivity and performance speak for themselves and defend you.

2. Walls Have Ears.

With its origin in ancient Greece, where the Greek tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse built an ear-shaped cave to eavesdrop on his prisoners, this idiom simply implies that a private conversation may not be private after all. It is a reminder to be mindful of what you say at the workplace and maintain professionalism. Most workplaces thrive on informal conversations where people talk about global or national politics, work politics, and, to some extent, gossip. The words you say today may be repeated by your colleague carelessly or intentionally in another forum that has your supervisors. As a result of this, you may find yourself in disciplinary cases or even being dismissed from work. Whether you are a junior staff member or a supervisor, just know that there could be someone listening when you least expect it.  Excessive talking exposes you to risks that could otherwise have been avoided. This unwritten rule is summarised in law number 4, of The 48 Laws of Power, where Green says, 

Always Say Less Than Necessary

Be careful who you confide in at work. A listening ear could also be a flippant mouth. Be guided that in any workplace, there will always be that one person/group of persons feeding the boss with happenings in the office. The "briefs" may go beyond the official (except in work cultures where such an act is expressly frowned upon). Sometimes, the person you suspect may not be the person feeding the boss.

3. Awareness is a form of power.

A keen observer survives in any workplace. By paying close attention to what is being said, how you are being treated, sudden changes in how things are run, and what is not spoken, you will understand the shifting alliances and any emerging risks. A key trait in workplace awareness is observation, and this helps you adapt early enough. Be mindful of the tone, pitch, body language, and your supervisor's, coworkers', and team members' pace of speech. They could give crucial hints about things that aren't stated directly. 55% of nonverbal communication and 38% of paraverbal communication are used to convey emotions, likes, and dislikes, according to studies. Verbal communication is used in about 7% of cases. When you get withdrawn from projects, or someone is asked to understudy you, or you get demoted without cogent reason(s), that may be a cue that you'd soon be shown the exit door.  When signs appear, quietly prepare for exit; update your CV, get the recommendation letters from your supervisor, strengthen networks, and reduce dependency on that role.

Amy Blaschka, in her article, The One Soft Skill You Absolutely Need for Career Longevity and 5 Ways to Build It, says, "Skills may earn you entry into the workplace, but observation ensures longevity."

4. Know Why You Are There

One mistake that people tend to make is giving more than is required of them. They commit their time to work-related stuff and end up eating up time that would have been spent with friends and family. Although workplaces can create good relationships, be aware that your whole life should not depend on it. Understand what you are required to do, and do it within the stipulated hours. Your primary aim is to get the job done, earn an income, and go home.  Never make the mistake of sacrificing peace, identity, or long-term goals for office politics.

NEVER forget that!