Donald Trump's catchphrase, "You're Fired," has become a landmark in 2008 pop culture. TV viewers like to watch people get fired because deep inside they fear the same, but beyond the fear there is a larger lesson to get from performance reviews and firings.
Whatever doesn't kill us doesn't make us stronger, but if we don't learn from those mistakes, we never truly advance. Trump coaches people on his show to make the final cut, but not everyone makes it. Everyone wins, though, because everyone plays the game to be better and that's what American workers in 2008 all ought to do.
In my web travels I have read all kinds of attitudes about work and getting fired. Some people are so petrified of it that they see the devil lurking at every corner. They are quick to suspect people around them as spies and they often see their boss as someone "out to get them" like something from a Twilight Zone episode.
I read a teacher's editorial recently that had tons to say about the "corrupt" system and Principal that tried to get him banned from teaching. He gave no convincing facts and baited and switched for comments simply by naming his article, "Public education sucks." Since I am an educator of nine years, I took issue with his title right away. As I suspected, after the first few sentences it was nothing about public education. It was about how he was fired and how he was a victim.
This article would have been great if he had explained why he got fired and sought to make corrections to the system. Instead, like so many rants about working today, there is little optimism and much whining. I wanted to write an article in response that gave a simple road map out of evaluation and termination at work. It's a subject we all find hard to face, but if it happens, it's not the end of the world. Don't blame your boss or the mystical "powers that be." See what you can learn from the experience to become a better person and a more marketable employee.
Article comments
1 - Chris Bancells
If your tone here is any indication, I would hazard a guess that you work at a good school with good, positive administrators. A teacher myself, I have seen both good and bad uses of the evaluation process. I have both benefited and been injured, as well as seen it used to the downfall of more than one colleague.
I agree, there is plenty of whining in the American workplace, but not all of it is unfounded. There are plenty of administrators, both in and out of education, who use the evaluation as a weapon, and not always in an overt way. Subtle threats and shifting standards, which may not necessarily be viewed as unethical by an outside source, can make life difficult on employees. I have seen administrators suddenly pounce on people, exploiting an easily fixable situation to accomplish their own ends. In one particular case, there was no warning given, and rather than work with someone, already esteemed by colleagues, to help them become better, they summarily dismissed them.
I have to say kudos for writing the article and trying to inject a positive attitude into what is all too often a negative situation. However, I think it's important to realize that it is not always the employee creating the negativity.
2 - Damien Riley
Thanks Chris. I've been mulling your commment over in my head for a few days ...
I've been teaching for almost 10 years for 5 different Principals and I can attest that what you say about the abuse of the evaluation process is absolutely real. I have seen it and had it done to me, so understand that i agree with you there.
What I am trying to say to folks (not just teachers) is that focus is very helpful in mental health and stability. Going through a bad eval can really wreack that for people. If you can focus on it as a "what can I improve upon" and not a "they're out to get me" event, then not only will they have a harder time getting something on you but you will also be confident knowing you are there to be the best you can be even if they don;t like you.
Thanks for your clarification though, you are right that the teacher accountability system in public schools is highly flawed. For now, I guess the union and a positive spirit are our best defense.
Best.