Every boss loves a go-getter, somebody who goes the extra mile time after time. But once in a while, if you are that go-getter, you might get the sense that your contribution is getting on people’s nerves. Sometimes that’s just jealousy from coworkers who would rather clock in and clock out, so they feel you’re making them look bad.
And hey, you know what? Sometimes the shoe fits. If they’re dogging it day after day, why should you fall to their level? You shouldn’t. And for the sake of the company, you just CAN’T. But you also can’t plow through a wall of resentment every time you enter the office. That’ll eat your go-getting energy in no time flat. It’s worth thinking about how you might turn down the volume of resentment without completely folding your tent.
If your boss is also showing signs of having enough—well, then you know something has to change. Not your energy or commitment, just something about how it gets expressed.
It never hurts to take a close look at how you are approaching things. Put yourself in the shoes of a colleague or your boss. Is your tone always helpful rather than pushy? Are you careful not to elbow others aside? Are you always working collaboratively rather than going off on heroic missions alone? Are you taking on tasks that NEED doing rather than creating an empire of your own accomplishments separate from the strategic plan?
(Psst: that last one will get on the boss’s nerves quicker than anything.)
Most important of all, if you’ve heard direct criticism, especially from management, ask what you should keep doing and what you should stop doing. If you haven’t heard direct criticism, it’s time to invite it. Then listen—really listen—and make the necessary changes.