Office Quicksand: Four Narratives That Sink Your Career

  • Published on:
    November 3, 2020
  • Reading time by:
    4 minutes
Office Quicksand: Four Narratives That Sink Your Career

We’ve all seen the infamous quicksand scenes in movies: the hero is obliviously strolling through the jungle and realizes s/he is trapped in quicksand rapidly sinking with nowhere to go. 

While the threat of quicksand is often exaggerated in films, it’s a great visual that perfectly encapsulates the way that common yet harmful company narratives can trap you in your career.  While these narratives can be applied to either gender, women most often tend to be the ones that have the most trouble getting out of quicksand when they get caught up in it in a male-dominated workplace. 

Some of the most prevalent quicksand myths include:  

  • You should be grateful to have a job” – Your paycheck is not a handout. Your paycheck is not a kindness. Your paycheck is an exchange for the work you completed in the previous pay period. Yes – many people are currently looking for work, however, if you made it through furloughs and layoffs, you’ve already passed your company’s value assessment and they have determined that your work is worthy of compensation.  
  • “We can give you the title, but the raise will be delayed” – Promotions in title only aren’t promotions. In fact – they’re demotions – as you’re doing more work for the same amount of pay. Most often, the promises of a future raise serve as a carrot on a string for employers to keep you engaged without opening their wallets. If a company is only able to promote you in title, then they aren’t ready to promote you.
  • “You just had a review” – It’s standard to expect a yearly performance review. In any professional situation, you are your best advocate. Be willing to initiate the review process – it’s a necessary part of being a professional. Reviews are essential for feedback to identify strengths and growth opportunities and communicate the goals that both you and the company have for your future. If your employer is perturbed by an annual request for feedback, then they are the ones failing to be professional. 
  • “Team players do favors” – Favors are shortterm, once in a while tasks when a team is in a bind. Favors are not sustained additional responsibilities, onboarding client accounts or managing internal culture for your company. If they can, companies will slowly expand your job description bit-by-bit without providing compensation, additional resources or clear expectations. Keep track of anything that feels like a permanent addition and address it in your yearly review. 

Imposter syndrome is something that many women in the workplace struggle with. It’s important to remember that just because someone says something that doesn’t make it true. The above narratives are just a few quicksand traps that we can fall into if we place pleasing others over our own needs.  

As professional females we must be able to cultivate our voices to confidently advocate for ourselves in the workplace while avoiding the quicksand diversions that prevent us from advancing in our career. 

Samantha Flynn

Samantha Flynn is Principal/Chief Strategy officer at Junipr Public Relations. With more than a decade in the industry, Samantha has advised global brands, entrepreneurs, agencies and more to achieve highly-recognized excellence in communications efforts. Her Chicago-based firm Junipr Public Relations opened in 2019. For more information, please visit www.JuniprPublicRelations.com. Contact: Hello@JuniprPublicRelations.com  / @SJoyFlynn (Instagram). 

You might also enjoy..

7 Ways to Attract Top Talent to Your Company

7 Ways to Attract Top Talent to Your Company

The business landscape is defined by innovation and flexibility. This fully applies to the field of recruiting. To find those who can bring unique skills and passion for excellence to the company and drive a company's growth and success, organizations should go further than offering competitive salaries. Instead, they should create an appealing wor
5 Skills That Will Transform Your Career
by Sheinna Mungroo

5 Skills That Will Transform Your Career

It is so easy to be consumed by your career. We are often so focused on all the milestones and accomplishments that we have yet to achieve that we forget about all those key skills we need in order to get there. So, what are they? What do we want to achieve? Do we have the necessary skills and mind-set to get there?
Powerful Words To Get People's Attention Immediately

Powerful Words To Get People’s Attention Immediately

Words to get people's attention. We all want what we want, but it's always difficult to figure out how to get it. The right words help you express the function of your product or service with flair. They add color and drama to your presentation to make it more interesting. Try to use words that evoke emotions and vivid mental pictures. Let your pro
Signs You Need To Quit Your Job

Signs You Need To Quit Your Job

In the ever-evolving landscape of our professional lives, it's not uncommon to find ourselves at a crossroads, contemplating whether the path we're on is truly the right one. Job satisfaction and personal growth are not merely luxuries; they are integral components of a fulfilling career. Are you currently facing uncertainty about your current job?

Join the discussion!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *