I think it all stems back to being brought up by a really
strict dad. He was all about authority. Military-style authority. Kids-are
to-be-seen-and-not heard-style authority. Sure, that approach teaches respect
and discipline, but it mostly teaches resentment.
Or, maybe it was the asshole basketball coach I had in 8th
grade who ridiculed my lack of ball-handling skills in front of the entire
team. Still not sure how that guy ever got hired as a basketball coach. He
didn’t know the first thing about basketball. He sucked at it. Good at yelling
though. Think he ended up having a triple bypass or something. Dick.
Could it be the useless bosses I’ve had over the years? Some
of them I had zero respect for as human beings, but every single day I had to
pretend I liked their ideas and respected their views, just because they signed
my checks.
The common denominator in all of these situations — me. I’m
the problem. People can suck. And sometimes people that suck get put in
positions of authority. That’s just how it works. I should probably just get
used to it. But I can’t.
I’ve always been a fan of the underdog. I root for the
little guy. I’m not fond of people who think they have some kind of unspoken
power over others. Unfortunately, there are situations where this “unspoken
power” isn’t unspoken at all. It’s called a job. This system of hierarchy
doesn’t bode well for a guy with my attitude.
My anti-establishment, anti-authority approach is not
recommended for those trying to climb the corporate ladder. I’ll most likely
never be a “big shot” because I can’t stand “big shots.” I’ll probably muddle
in the middle for the rest of my life because I’m not good at kissing ass. I’m
horrible at going along with the plan when I don’t believe in the plan. And I’m
really bad at hiding my true feelings — I wear my lack of respect and disdain
for fake people smack dab on my big face like a blinking billboard. This has
caused more than a few closed-door conversations with the powers-that-be.
But I’m ok with my approach and my attitude. I might as well
be — I’ve been around too long to change. Besides, if becoming a big shot means
kissing ass and losing my self, I’ll muddle in the middle all day long. The
people are nicer here — and they’re real.
Here's to the loyal underdog.
JS
Jason, for a moment, I thought "I don't remember writing this."
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds like me right to the core. Strict military style dad. Had to make our beds so a quarter could bounce off the sheets when done. And Stand at attention. Oh yeah, the power of the authority. There's a saying that goes, "if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Most people cannot handle authority--it goes right to their head--and there is no way I'm going to let that go. So that's the major reason I couldn't get anywhere at my old job, because I'll be damned if I'll kiss ass.
I hear you Tim. My dad taught me many great things, but his "authority" style left it's mark. Maybe someday I'll be my own boss and I can kiss my own ass. I'd probably get sick of me as a boss too!
ReplyDeleteNicely said Jason, I too have always been for the underdog, I muddle through life trying to find my place and one day soon I will hopefully after I finish college but there is on thing I do not want to be is the, "Big Shot." I just want to provide for my family peacefully and enjoy life.
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