Opting for a start-up over a corporate gig is not an easy choice to make. Working in a start-up is equally challenging as starting off something of your own. It's you along with a small team which ought to be self-sustainable, dangling with a do-or die situation between failure and success. Your journey though formal will yet be drawn on the lines of an informal, friendly family constantly aiming towards success. 

In this journey, if you ever encounter a situation of getting less work, don't rejoice! Instead, you are in trouble. In ideal circumstances, you are not expected to play such a guess game. Your boss would render honest opinion and feedback to nip any discrepancy in your performance in the bud. 

On the other end of the spectrum, humans are complex characters. Many times, growing out from an informal environment, it becomes difficult for a boss to express. Apart from being afraid to confront, they might busy to check with you for feedbacks or simply lack communication skills. The gulf just widens with time and lands you in hot water. 

In such ambiguity, how do you guess it right, that you are required to fix your work? Let's probe some warning signals which indicate you are faltering at qualities required in a start-up. 

Actions Speaks Louder Than Words 

Warning sign 

It is difficult to disguise and compose one's disappointment for long. Keep an eye on your boss's behaviour and tone towards yourself. 

Indicators 

Some common examples are: 
⦁ Your Buddy boss gets agitated more often. 
⦁ The conversation becomes short and cold. 
⦁ They maintain an arm's distance. 
⦁ Avoid engaging in conversation apart from just essential communication. 
⦁ Your boss noticeably gets more curt with you. 

What to do 

Never put a blind eye to such situations. At times it also depends on the initial bond you share with your boss. It can be a subtle silence before you get kicked out. 

Confront and address the problem instead of running away from such awkward negative performance review conversations. Buck-up and get back to his good grace. 

'I observed, you seem less happy with my work lately? How can I Improve?' 

Yes, it's that simple a line. However, what is not simple is the fact which follows. You need to listen patiently, don't be defensive, be calm and take down notes. Go through the points carefully, introspect what is bothering you. Once you figure out, only then sit with your boss and explain your stand. 

A simple conversation, done right in time can not only rejuvenate a sense of purpose again but instil more responsibility owing to a promotion. 

2.Pouring Challenges Is Not A Punishment 

Warning sign 

If you are not delegated with important work, it does not mean your boss is giving you a break. Instead, they think you are incapable of managing things. 

Indicators 

Some daunting signals which might hinder your future promotions are: 
⦁ Few complex tasks are removed off your platter, and fed with grunt work 
⦁ Some Coveted assignments often get passed to your colleagues. 
⦁ Job assigned feels like a step backwards in your career. 
⦁ The lesser burden at work. It might give you a chance to rejoice secretly. However, start-ups, unlike the corporate world, have less of leisure jobs. In Start ups, the basic mantra is 'to grow and let grow'. Your career and self-growth are equally important to the growth of the business. 

What to do 

Confrontation in haste might not furnish appropriate results. Think and identify what went wrong on your part. 
Any recent errors? Or deadlines missed? Or lack of vigilance? Or a non-constructive reaction in a tensed situation? The reason could be any. 

The only quick fix hack to control the damages is to own up to your mistake. Take the ownership, bring it up on your own in front of your boss. You would just rebuild the trust by letting him know that you recognise you were wrong, what you learned and any corrective actions. 

'I am willing to take up more tasks to contribute to the productivity and mitigate the loss, if any.' 

Just some amount of extra efforts and time invested can control the situation remarkably. 

...[ Continue to next page ]

Share This Post