It is essential that you understand the dynamics of your company.

Some of my mentees complain that their rights are being violated at their workplace. They express their anger by criticizing the decisions made by the company, the attitudes of managers, the work being done, and the ways in which it is being done, almost to the point of tearing down the organization they are a part of.

Usually, to direct these individuals towards being more objective and less negative, I question whether they fully understand the internal dynamics of their company. Without a proper understanding of the balances within the company, it is not easy for them to accept certain events, evaluate them objectively, and rid themselves of the negative energy they carry.

Therefore, I try to guide them towards understanding the company culture and mission, as well as the dominant culture and values in the upper management. Understanding what the company represents and how it operates helps them align their goals and values with those of the company. Otherwise, they feel like they are paddling against the current instead of with it and quickly become exhausted.

But amidst the daily rush of tasks and objectives, how will they gain insight into the realities of the company beyond their own perspectives and emotions?

There are a few simple things that they can do to achieve this. For instance, they should make sure to interact with people from different departments regularly. Understanding how each department works and what their goals are helps them see the big picture of the company.

I also recommend that they participate in projects involving multiple departments or at least observe the processes of those projects if they cannot take part in them.

They should also keep track of the company’s financial situation, such as how revenue is generated, how costs are managed, and what plans are in place for growth.

If they fail to do so, they feel like they are battling an object that either meets or does not meet their expectations, rather than feeling like an essential part of the company. They then believe that they have been treated unfairly to the extent that their expectations were not met.