Noticing a lack of support or recognition in our job can make us feel demotivated and frustrated or even worse. Remember that stress originates from the environmental stimuli; our perception of this environment; as well as our perception of the resources we have to face those stimuli. Therefore, the aforementioned feelings are a sign that we have a hard time confronting what is happening to us.
How does lack of recognition show?
Amongst the causes for work-related stress we can find the lack of positive stimuli. That means a lack of recognition for a job well done or the benefit or added value created for the company.
This recognition can be feeling properly paid or receiving, for specific projects or goals achieved, a bonus or monetary reward or reward in kind. Having opportunities for professional development or promotion are also positive stimuli.
But, furthermore, there is another type of recognition which costs the company less. However, it seems to be hard for some people: Congratulating for a job well done or a good idea. Saying thanks for tasks delivered, help provided or favours done.
If the worker does not feel valued in any of these ways he or she might suffers from stress.
What does lack of support mean?
Even worse than the lack of recognition is the feeling of lack of support. This can be the case of an employee receiving hardly any guidelines for the tasks entrusted; or on what the goals and priorities for his/her work are. It can also be the worker who needs to solve a doubt or requires some type of information from a colleague and gets rejected. Likewise it can be the executive trying to coordinate his/her team who does not receive the necessary involvement or support.
All these situations may cause stress, too.
Symptoms of stress due to a lack of support or recognition
The symptoms of this type of stress can be from demotivation and frustration to a sensation of powerlessness or feeling rejected. Suffering this situation can therefore harm the self-esteem and feeling of worth. It can turn the person insecure and make them doubt their good work. If the situation prolongs or becomes worse it can adversely affect the person’s performance or they might even succumb to depression.
Think about two children of the same age, level of intelligence and faculties. One is told by the parents that he/she is great and smart. The other is being shouted at often and called stupid and useless. You think this example is extreme? Well, the other day in the park I witnessed a mother telling her child: “Are you stupid or what’s up with you?” Now it could have been an outburst of Mediterranean temperament… but she repeated it three or four times.
What I mean to say is: Which of the children do you think will rather take on the world and have a good self-esteem and which will be rather a victim of low self-confidence or even bullying?
How to relieve stress due to a lack of support or recognition?
Believe in your own worth
Firstly remember that Mindfulness teaches us that we are valid and valuable human beings for the simple fact of being alive. And moreover I am sure that you can come up with quite some things that make you special and that you are good at.
But take into account that if you have been suffering from lack of support or recognition your self-esteem can have been undermined. In that case, why not turn to people you trust (family or best friends) so they remind you how great you are?
Do not take it too personal
Also consider that there may be a series of reasons for the lack of support or recognition. Perhaps the boss or colleagues are very busy. This is a common problem nowadays. Maybe they are not very clear about the goals and priorities either.
Or in case of the executive, they might have some shortcomings as a leader when it comes to giving goals and guidelines or acknowledging a job well done.
Si I suggest you learn to not take the lack of support or recognition very personal. Trying to understand the reasons for the behaviour can help you there.
Analyse the situation
As I mention in the post on attitude, we can sometimes slip into generalisations of the kind “nobody supports me” or “my work is never acknowledged”. So think whether this could be your case and if that, analyse the situation. For example, ask yourself who exactly does not support your. Or analyse whether your work is really never acknowledged.
Do not isolate yourself
I also recommend you do not keep your feelings to yourself. You may look for moral support in your private circle, that is family and friends. Remember the saying: “A sorrow shared is but half a trouble, but a joy that’s shared is a joy made double.”
But maybe you are more introverted and do not feel like sharing your sorrow with others. Then writing a diary can be very therapeutic, too.
And in case you are suffering from lack of support at work, think that it is unlikely that “all your colleagues” dislike you. So, look for allies. Also, we do not have to be friends with all our colleagues. It is a question of learning to get on well enough to collaborate anyway without hindering and tripping each other.
Do a SWOT analysis
Same as I mention in the post on stress due to a feeling of insecurity, in this case it can also be a good idea to take time for a SWOT analysis. Make an inventory of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
You may even ask those trustworthy people we mentioned before for their point of view. Now this might make you feel vulnerable. But it can be very enlightening. If you have a diminished self-esteem, chances are good that you will be able to come up with less strengths and opportunities than your family or best friends.
Give your best
Knowing that you are giving your best and doing a good job will help your self-esteem and self-confidence.
Moreover, when being assigned a job, remember to ask about priorities and deadlines. Earlier we talked about possible leadership shortcomings. That is why it sometimes is necessary to be proactive and ask the key questions in order to do your job well.
If you are still missing guidelines for your work, try and find out the company priorities and goals by yourself. Then establish the priorities for your work from there. It is advisable to learn to work autonomously. Fend for yourself in order to find out how to get a certain task done or solve some problem.
Learn continuously
With the SWOT analysis you might have detected certain shortcomings in your way of working or relating to other people. So think how you can train and develop yourself as a person and professional to fill this gap. This will have the good side effect of strengthening your self-esteem, too.
Ask for recognition
There are still executives unaware of the value of giving recognition, positive feedback or constructive criticism to their workers.
If that is the case, look for an opportunity to tell your boss that you would like to do the best job possible in order to add value to the company. That you do not need regular pats on the back. But that it would be helpful to know the priorities better and whether you can improve the way you do some task for it to be more useful. That therefore any contribution or constructive criticism is welcome.
If appropriate, you may also suggest some training or conference you would like to attend. This is another way of showing interest for giving your best at work. But prepare the arguments well and explain to your boss the benefits for the company and your job.
Have you ever suffered from the stress due to a lack of support or recognition?
How have dealt with the situation? Which of these tips do you find helpful?
