Yes, You Are a Cog in the Machine – But, That's a Good Thing
Let’s pause for a moment and imagine this.
Your organization is hyper-focused on making a difference in the world. Not only are you surrounded by the top specialists in your field, but YOU were the one who managed to hire them all. This alone is a marker of impact; you’re an integral piece of the machine that keeps the company running.
One problem.
You don’t work in the “front-facing” departments that do the doing. This could be accounting, administration, operations, maintenance, or even the mail room.
Before the imposter syndrome kicks in, let’s take a step back.
It’s not uncommon for employees to share the sentiment of not feeling like a core team member and, sometimes, not being credited as such.
However, to fully understand how the machine works, let’s take it apart.
Defining the Machine
Think of your organization as a car.
Consider the driver to be the organization’s leader(s) and the roads ahead are the projects you undertake. But how do we propel the car forward? Well, as we all know, without the engine, tires, steering wheel, and all the other supporting parts, the car won't vroom.
Yet, every time you see a flashy sportscar, you often comment on the sleek look or the revving engine, but when has a car been complimented for its brakes or radiator? Maybe the occasional gearhead comment from an individual who appreciates the little things, but those occasions are rare.
Consider this: Without the battery, the car will struggle to start; without the horn, you miss out on expressing urgency or frustration; without the brakes, safety becomes a precarious notion. These parts might not be as flashy as the rest of the vehicle, but they are essential for the smooth operation of the vehicle. Without them, is your vehicle really a vehicle?
What makes a car is the sum of its parts, and similarly, an organization is only as good as the people who make it up.
But it doesn’t always feel that way, right?
References
- Lucaci, I. (2023, July 22). Navigating the struggle: Understanding the impact of feeling undervalued at work. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/navigating-struggle-understanding-impact-feeling-work-iosif-lucaci/
- Bloznalis, S. (2024, March 8). Human Workplace Index: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts in the New Year. Workhuman. https://www.workhuman.com/blog/hwi-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-efforts/
- Knight, R. (2017, December 26). What to do when you don't feel valued at work. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2017/12/what-to-do-when-you-dont-feel-valued-at-work
- Eruteya, K. (2022, January 3). You’re not an imposter. You’re actually pretty amazing. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/01/youre-not-an-imposter-youre-actually-pretty-amazing
- Gardner, R., & Bednar, J. (2022, October 18). 4 ways to combat imposter syndrome on your team. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/10/4-ways-to-combat-imposter-syndrome-on-your-team
- Herrity, J. (2022, October 24). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Applying it in the workplace. Indeed.https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs
About the Author
Monty Tengco
Monty Tengco is a Senior Venture Associate at The Decision Lab. He has a degree in Economics and Public Policy, specializing in operations and marketing strategy. Prior to joining The Decision Lab, he’s held various project management roles in digital marketing. He’s also served in business development consultancy roles ranging from co-working spaces to a monastery. In his personal time, he does volunteer work and enjoys cooking.
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