Momma always said never do business w/ family. There's been a lot of talk about being "family" with your employer, so here's 4 reasons mommas right This post isn't to bash companies that say "we are family" but instead why employees should feel ok choosing to not be family. 1️⃣ Emotional Connection The only way to truly create work life balance is to not be emotionally connected to your job or your company and more importantly, not tying your self worth to the company. Emotional connections that you have with your real family leads you to doing things out of love, not logic or sanity. 2️⃣ "What's best for the family" Sometimes families need to make hard decisions that lead to sacrifices. Companies also have to make hard decisions that lead to sacrifices. The difference, companies will and sometimes have to make decisions that are your expense. Families won't do that. 3️⃣ Unconditional Love Families create environments where you are protected through unconditional love. Regardless of what you do, they will have your back. Business is business. Whether an HR issue or more of a performance issue, your "love" is based on conditions. Regardless of the amazing relationship you might have with your boss, at the end of the day there are conditions. 4️⃣ Loyalty Not Rewarded It is a well-known fact that employees that jump companies see larger % increase in salary than employees that stay at the same company. Until this is changed, the employee needs to prioritize their real family needs (income, benefits, etc) over loyalty. It is ok for you to be a company and for me to be an employee. We can still do amazing work together. #culture #organizationalculture #family
Brian Cherry
5mo
This is a good post, Ryan and an important one to note for people who tie a lot of their self value/worth to their job
And I’d add - you can still be kind, loving and invested in your relationships at work without throwing around “family”. After all, it’s you and your agreement with your employer for an exchange of skills/time etc. for money/benefits. My personal ethos and values system is rooted in the connections made throughout the squiggly career path I’ve paved. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them and my heart will always be grateful for those cherished relationships!! AND, I’m still a business of one with one big heart!
Simon Maskrey
5mo
Never a truer word said Ryan
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4moAbsolutely spot on! Your insights resonate strongly. While the concept of being a family with your employer might sound appealing, the points you've highlighted about maintaining a healthy emotional distance are crucial. Work life balance becomes achievable when we recognize that emotional connections, like those within a real family, can sometimes cloud logical and sane decisionmaking. Setting boundaries allows for a more sustainable and fulfilling professional journey. The analogy between family decision making and company choices is quite illuminating. Families make sacrifices, but the key difference is that a company's decisions might come at the employee's expense. Understanding this distinction helps individuals make informed choices about their level of commitment.