Thinking about quitting your job? Be careful not to make this common mistake… 

Famous American playwright Wilson Mizner coined a famous quote which reads:

“Be nice to people on your way up because you will meet them on your way down.”

A few days ago I came across the following posting written by a connection on LinkedIn:

“Today was a fantastic day; I lost my job. I lost my job from a micro manager, an egotistical boss, a selfish boss, a boss with no form of respect for her employees. I feel as if I have lost this job for a reason; I didn’t get fired I quit. I didn’t quit a job, I quit a boss.“

My message to you dear Linkedin contact is that “unless you work in demolition, don’t burn bridges” (Harvey MacKay). We should think seriously before we slam doors or burn bridges in the workplace, whether it be while you’re still working there or you’re on your way out the door. The world is small and the market is even smaller. Just because you won’t be working with a person anymore doesn’t mean you are done with them. Unless you completely change fields or career, chances are that you might cross their path again, somehow.

One of my current clients was once my employer many years ago. There were many many (many, many) times that I wanted to tell him just how I felt about him, but every time I had the urge, I bit my tongue. Boy am I happy I didn’t burn that bridge… they’re one of my top clients today!

Even when you don’t get along with superiors or co-worker, MUTUAL respect in the workplace is important for the following reasons:

• It improves relationships among people
• It reduces stress
• It becomes a fair environment to work in
• It boosts productivity
• It solves problems and reduces conflicts
• It boosts knowledge and understanding

I would also add that RESPECT for others starts with respect for you. In order to earn the respect of others, you must be able to respect yourself. This will inevitably attract the respect and civility of others unto you. Open and constructive communication is always a good idea in any kind of relationship and helps to avoid misunderstandings.

My advice to people working in a toxic work environment would be that you owe it to yourself and to your career to maintain harmonious work relationships. You don’t have to be angry, keep your energy for people who will treat you with respect.

Happy Friday everyone!