True. But also don’t make the critical mistake of thinking that being the best translates to money. Most businesses simply have a limit to what they can pay anyone for doing a certain job. Whatever “something extra” you bring is appreciated, but likely doesn’t actually impact profit much if at all. The local McDonald’s would likely see very little profit difference between the best management in the business and barely competent management. Not enough to justify massive pay increases. If you’re the best fry cook or cashier- promoting you is a risk. Little about the skills to be the best at those things translates to a good manager, and promoting you means losing a great employee you barely have to pay. So always be professional, show effort, take pride in your work and collaborate as a team- but know that like the saying “dress for the job you want, not the job you have..” you need to show you can take on responsibility before being given it. That means being good at the things that...
... will make a manager notice you and think that your skills could be useful in another role. Being noticed for being fast on the prep line gets you compliments. But a master chef isn’t chosen because they make a good prep chef. They are chosen because of their other abilities like overall food knowledge- but mostly for their ability to manage people and logistics in quick time, and keep an eye on expenses while keeping customers satisfied and kitchens running smoothly and profitably. A manager or lead is chosen not because they’ve mastered basic tasks, but because they have shown they are reliable, professional, and can manage people and the business. So yes. That is a poor attitude that is unlikely to lead to success. But just heed my words that it isn’t enough to be the best at what you do. You have to show you can do more than that.
Absolutely agree and I was far from doing that mistake, I pretty much know how the cookie crumbles in worklife, as I have been spending 21 years in it now and made it from a Mechanic to a Manager.
Fact is, as long as you barely do what you're told, your position/wage/job won't improve.
Good job. That’s a good trajectory in my book. Doesn’t hurt either when you start getting older to wrestle papers and diag people versus machines. And I apologize if I came off like I was trying to tell you something. I inferred from your post that you seem to have things straight. I just wanted to add that for anyone reading because some people- especially young and still somewhat green people, tend to think that if they “superstar” the shit out of breaking rocks that’s the ticket to a mansion someday. One of the hardest working men I ever knew spent 20 years getting nowhere and breaking his back when he should have been a millionaire with his work ethic and hustle. But he was always working harder when if he’d worked even 60% as hard and just a little smarter he could have gotten better results. He also only played the short game for small and fast gains which didn’t help. Being old to me is about trying to help the less experienced not repeat mistakes- even if it’s often fruitless.
There is so much truth in your reply. Indeed, the majority of people work hard in their lifes without skyrocketing to a superstar level. And this is something hard to understand for the younger generation, which is no surprise if you look at their idols. We are living in times where people without any special talent or intelligence are being made famous and rich and apparently loads of young folks are thinking life owes them something for whatever reason. But life ain't fair, it never has been and never will be. Working hard and trying to give your best every day is the only way we can at least try to improve our social standing. This said, it needs to be pointed out that your social standing is not to be prioritized. The aim of life is to have a heart of gold, not gold itself.
Amen. A good life doesn’t have to be one of money, fast cars, far off travels, and abalone quesadilla Caviar fusion cuisine eaten out of a shoe box for $79 a plate. It doesn’t mean being the best or most loved or most popular, of being envied or anything other than doing your best, finding something you love, and pursuing that.
Fact is, as long as you barely do what you're told, your position/wage/job won't improve.