I guess I should start by introducing myself. Hi, my name is Ellen. That’s all I’ve got on that for now.
The crisis: I work in the sports industry. Baseball is my bread and butter. I’ve worked for minor and major league teams. Following my time in MLB, I decided to move to hockey and work as the coordinator of ticket operations for an NHL team. After about 4 months, that was a complete bust. My department didn’t really practice a healthy work culture and I wasn’t about to spend the next year miserable everyday.
So I left. Right before Thanksgiving. Then I broke up with my boyfriend of a year who loved me more than anyone has ever loved me. So, just to make sure you’re keeping up, I quit the only full-time job I have ever had, moved back into my parents house, and broke up with the only person who has ever cared about me that deeply and intently. Crisis.
In the last month or so, I moved out of my parents house, moved in with my aunt and uncle in a different city, and started working part-time to make money on the side while I try to figure out my life. It keeps me busy, I make a decent paycheck, and I get to take ownership of my job for the first time in a long time. It has been incredible. But it isn’t at the same time.
Why, you might ask? Because no one respects my time. I am technically hired to run all social media platforms, creating content to draw more customers. But let me get one thing straight: I have zero experience in any of this outside of running my own personal accounts. I am no influencer. Thank goodness for Canva, let me tell you.
But social media and marketing are just the tips of the iceberg of what I do. I am also the photographer, videographer, retail floor manager, point of sale system aficionado, organizing expert, and, as of today, the manager for all events and sales regimes. Overwhelming? You betcha. What a part-time job… Oh, and did I mention that I never leave work on time? Surprising, I know.
That’s why I’m writing this: to get my thoughts out, maybe, but more importantly to shine light on respecting time in the workplace. I may be good at what I do and put out the best product I can, but unfortunately, I am not Wonder Woman.
Time is a valuable part of our lives, and once it’s spent, it’s gone for good. It’s important to know what you’re worth and how to price your time with the skills you’ve acquired throughout your years. It is important, in any workspace, that you understand this and feel it as an employee. I didn’t feel it in the NHL, and I don’t feel it in my current role either.
In my hockey job, I felt that I was not being utilized to my full potential; micro-managers can do that to you. I have two college degrees and was in charge of one email inbox.
Now I, and my two college degrees, are being stretched so thin because I have become the office’s kitchen sink. While I am grateful for the position I have been placed in, it has become increasingly difficult to produce work that meets my own overly high expectations.
I start on one project just to be thrown four more along the way. Maybe I need to work more on my project management skills, but a girl can only do so much in the four days a week she has in the office. I have learned over the years to do my best to not bring work home.
All of this being said, I think you get the point. Let’s get into some tips I have for all employers on how to respect the time of the people who work for them:
Meetings. Communication. Efficiency.
Meetings can make or break an organization. It is important to utilize the time you have with your people to create meaningful relationships while establishing a common ground.
Communicating the happenings of the company should be encompassed within these meetings. It is vital for those in your organization to be on the same page. Every person plays a role in the performance of the company. If one person is on the wrong page of the script, everyone feels it and is affected by it.
This communication can also open up the opportunity for creativity and productive dialogue to new ideas, but I’ll touch on that in a few points. Efficiency is fostered within meetings and open communication. Being efficient prevents wastefulness and produces peak performance levels.
Set Clear Expectations and Deadlines
How can one do their job if they do not understand the magnitude to complete a task nor the timeframe in which to get it done? Set the expectations of the job early.
You want to put your employees in the best position so be successful, because in turn, your organization will be successful. With that, put deadlines in place to further emphasize those expectations. Leaving projects open-ended can lead to poor product execution.
Listen. Adapt. Be Open to Change.
Take notes from your employees. They are the ones on the front lines between you and your customers, meaning they oftentimes can see areas of improvement that you may not see from within the office.
Take what they have into consideration, be willing to hear their ideas out, and consider taking steps towards implementation. The beauty of working with others is that they view the world differently than yourself.
Allow for change; the industry you work in is most likely one that changes with the times. You have to be willing to keep up to outlast your competition. To be the best, you have to keep up with the best. This goes back to communication as well. Make sure your workplace is one of open dialogue.
Preparedness
Be ready with a plan of action for your day. Know what tasks need to get done, delegate accordingly, and have a schedule in place to check in on the various projects.
It’s like the presentations we had in school. You could instantly tell who showed up ready to sell you on their topic, and who made it the night before. Don’t be the night-before guy. No one likes that guy, and it radiates throughout the rest of your organization.
Celebrate
What ever happened to enjoying the little things? Acknowledging the little victories throughout your organization works wonders when it comes to building a positive and healthy work culture.
Big or small, positive reinforcement goes a long way. An employee books an event in your small conference room? Celebrate it. Someone has a million-dollar sale? Celebrate it! Make your people feel seen and watch them take even more pride in their work.
Take all of this as you will, as I hope one day I find myself working for an employer who implements all that is described above. Respect your own time and value in the workplace. Know your worth. Speak up, take pride in your work, and find joy in what you do.
Now, back to my crisis. Until next time.
Follow Ellen Matthews on Twitter @_ellenmatthews or Instagram @_ellenmatthews