March 7

No good deed goes unpunished.

That’s a little bit leaning toward the glass-half-empty point of view, but something made me think of that today. I was at a work-related training earlier and while doing this sort of short presentation, the facilitator told me that what I’m talking about is too idealized. I concurred but said that it’s possible, with the right attitude. It’s a thing about taking personal responsibility and I was trying to point out that it may not be your intent to lead or to influence others but if you do the right thing, the right way, and to the best of your abilities, without the need to measure yourself against others, then maybe that would create a ripple effect and start a positive change, no matter how small.

Pondering on that later, it occurred to me that it is indeed ideal (is there such a thing as too ideal?) and is more of an exception rather than the norm. People who are able to do that wind up either being used or resented. Nevertheless, I still support that school of thought. Do good and mix it up with a bit of wariness and resilience. Someone who fits in the category of “ideal employee” once asked me how the Eleanor Roosevelt quote “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” works for me. I summed it up in three words: kapal ng mukha (being thick skinned). I expect that some of the things I do will smack me right back at the face but having that anticipation allows me to either dodge it or smack right back. When it doesn’t happen that way, then I cry. Sometimes in public. Thick skinned, remember?

Similar Posts:

    None Found