Losing self-confidence
I have been working in the field of media for past 12 years. The initial few years were smooth sailing but recent years with advancement in technology and curriculum, there are newer people coming on board with lots of knowledge. This somewhere threatens me as my knowledge is based on what I learnt then and in the due course on field. How do I stop feeling incompetent and focus more on my task?
Ans: The newer people might have more recent knowledge but the experience that you come with balances it out for both of you. It is important to be open towards the newer ideas as it gives you an edge and also acceptance amongst them much easily. The insecurity you have towards them may be the reflection of self-doubt. You can try learning from the younger lot and update yourself with the advancements so that you don’t feel left out.
Setbacks of shifting
I belong to Chhattisgarh and shifted to Mumbai for work. After working here for 3 years and making money I decided to settle here. But as and when I would think seriously about this my parents would discourage me by bringing in finance. I got a transfer offer to Chennai with better pay but I don’t seem to be enthusiastic about it. I am unsure about whether to continue in Mumbai and make lesser money or shift to a completely new environment. I am not so good with changes in the environment.
Ans: The prospect of shifting to a new environment is bringing about anxiety in you which is apparent in the indecisiveness regarding your job. The job offers could be viewed more in terms of pros and cons and then a decision could be based on what weighs more in terms of long term benefits. If the factor for not changing the job is because of new environment, then do reconsider your decision. There was a change when you had first come to Mumbai, so any change further if viewed in similar light could ease out the tension to a great extent.
Boss’s blind trust
I work in a corporate setting in a small-scale company as a new trainee. It so happens that a close friend of the company owner works as the head of administrative functions. They have been friends since childhood, so our boss values his opinions a lot and takes his advice and counsel highly into consideration. However, his friend has always taken his own work very lightly and simultaneously tormenting all his subordinates by keeping a check on them all the time and constantly complaining about us to our boss. This leads to us being reprimanded, most times for no fault of our own. However, none of us have the courage to tell our boss the actuality of the situation because we know he would trust his friend over us. I am tired of this toxic work environment and unnecessary surveillance and hate being caught up in unnecessary drama. How should I deal with this situation?
Ans: You could approach an intermediate boss if you have any and explain the situation and in case of no intermediate boss, you can approach the HR and request for a full disclosure of the need for constant surveillance. Lodge a complaint against the unfair treatment along with the team members to bring it to the higher authorities notice of what is happening at the ground level and how there is misuse of power. If things still don’t get resolved, instead of being afraid of the consequences, do approach the boss and get an understanding so as to clear the air.
The career conflicts
I am a 21-year-old female. My parents have always been extremely supportive of me and have been there to handle my expenses while I pursued my passions at a college level. Their approval has always been extremely important to me. Now, as I begin to explore career opportunities I find that I want to become a musician. I get that my parents apprehension towards this comes from a place of concern for my financial independence but I know that nothing else will be as exciting and fulfilling for me. How do I communicate this to them in a way which will make them less disapproving? Or should I give up this dream and listen to them when they say it’s just a “phase”?
Ans: The acceptance will come gradually with respect to the change in profession from your parent’s side as they would have a particular way of looking at things. first and foremost, it is important that you yourself are sure about the fact that the career that you choose for yourself is something you definitely see yourself pursuing, this confidence then needs to be radiated towards your parents. You could give them a broader picture of how the whole plan might look like with pros and cons and despite the uncertainty, how it might bring about happiness to you.
