And the Meek shall inherit the Company
Have you witnessed this phenomenon?
Phase I:
You perform well and are recognized as a dependable performer. Others, well, not so much. Consequently, you get all the challenging projects — sometimes two and three at a time. Others, sitting around while you work your ass off.
Phase II:
You harbor resentment at having to pull your weight and some of the weight of others. You get weary and disenchanted and you wonder what’s in it for you. Why not become one of them? And yet you are driven — you can’t become one of them.
Phase III:
You leave the company in search of an environment where you can work with others and grow. You crave a level playing field and a learning and inspiring organization.
Phase IV:
Sometime later, the phenomenon tips within your former company — the good people have left and the ones that remain are incapable and disinterested. Productivity declines. Work quality declines. Stock prices fall.
I have this feeling this is a very real anti-pattern. And I think I’m in Phase II.
Do I take the red pill or the blue pill?