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I started my career right after graduating from high school, working at a Canadian military supply depot in Germany. Without any specialized training, I took on a menial job with no room for slacking off. If the work was not completed as expected and within a certain period of time, the impact was noticeable;
That experience shaped my work ethic, and I relied solely on advancement to advance to senior levels in the organizations I worked for, eventually becoming CEO. My career path didn't seem unusual at the time, but it will be in 2024.
A Gallup poll last year showed that 60% of employees around the world are “quietly quitting,” or doing the minimum amount of work necessary to stay employed. This phenomenon, which is widely associated with Gen Z and Millennials, makes some sense when you look at the macroeconomic environment of the past 5-10 years.
Quiet retirees have benefited from a tight labor market, but that may be coming to an end. In his first two months of 2024 alone, 42,324 of his workers were laid off by 168 technology companies. As funding becomes increasingly difficult to come by and more companies look to cut costs, it's logical to think that those who quit quietly will be affected.
Related: Quietly quitting divides the workforce. Here's how to get everyone back together.
I personally identify as a “core committer” – someone who is motivated to do everything in their power to ensure the goals of the team and the larger company are achieved. Here are his three ways that “core commitment” can help you achieve upward career mobility.
Contributing to a team gives you a greater sense of purpose
In the military, operations are designed to be carried out efficiently and all individuals are expected to contribute towards a common goal. Expectations are clear and if you don't meet them, you'll be letting the whole team down.
While working in this environment, I came to understand the need to make self-sacrifice for the greater success of the team. If someone called in sick to work a late night shift, I had no hesitation in taking the job, and if I needed to do something other than my description, I was there.
Among those who quit quietly, there is a common notion that if you put in the effort, you will be rewarded with more effort. It's true that proving yourself at work can lead to more difficult work, but that's often where the greatest opportunities for growth and professional development lie.
In fact, Gartner's HR leaders predict that in 2024 there will be a reversal of the trend toward “quiet retirements” and “quiet hiring.” Employers who employ quiet hiring seek to acquire skills without adding new full-time employees. You do this by rewarding people who help meet your organization's evolving needs with upskilling opportunities, one-time bonuses, additional paid time off, promotions, and increased flexibility.
Achieve bold goals with commitment
As I became more senior in my career and received further education, I never let my ego get in the way of taking on jobs that other senior executives would scoff at. In fact, I'll never forget that time I made a commitment to take on what was arguably the worst job in the company. It was a strategy to rebuild a department that had become completely dysfunctional.
Upon entering this environment, the tension was palpable and it was clear that the facility had to be shut down and people had to be released. It was the most difficult project I've ever encountered, but I was committed to seeing it through.
The process was painful and the boundaries were difficult to see at times, but by operating as transparently as possible and remaining respectful of all involved, we were able to realign. It's done. Ultimately, we were able to get the business back on track to being solvent, and those who stayed with the business saw it flourish and grow.
This experience reinforced a core truth that has been emphasized many times throughout my career: It means that when you are fully committed to a goal, you should never underestimate your ability to achieve it.
According to McKinsey, more than half of employees report relatively low productivity at work. There are many factors that separate those who quit quietly from those who excel, but as the job market eases, employers are becoming more discerning about reliable and committed people.
Related: You Can't Stop Quitting Quietly, But You Can Overcome It With These 4 Proactive Tips
Taking action is more important than planning
Years ago, during a performance review with my CEO, I received a criticism that I later learned to take as a compliment. He said the feedback from his team was that I couldn't plan my way out of a paper bag, but no one would ever underestimate my ability to get the job done.
I remember that conversation fondly. Because my CEO recognized one of the core committer's superpowers was finding a way to complete the mission. Mistakes may happen during the process, but if you focus on supporting your team, you'll find ways to overcome challenges and learn along the way.
During our careers, we often spend countless hours creating a solid plan to tackle our goals. In practice, however, these ambitions often fail due to a lack of commitment and action from those involved in their implementation. In fact, research shows that approximately 60-90% of strategic plans are never fully initiated.
It is not my intention to exclude people who quit quietly. I understand that there are factors that make professionals reluctant to give their “all in” to their work. However, I believe this mentality poses a greater danger to the people who own it than the companies it represents.
If you grow up in a job where the average person spends a third of their life, and you're not dedicated to challenging yourself, you're missing out on an important opportunity to strengthen your self-esteem. . For me, the ultimate reward of being a core committer is knowing that my contributions have made a difference in the lives of the people I choose to impact. This is a feeling that no matter how many hours you spend at work, nothing can replace it.