Unless you’ve been sequestered away in a fallout shelter for the past month or two, you’ve probably heard of “quiet quitting.”
What is quiet quitting?
Quiet quitting is a broad term used to describe the act of doing the absolute minimum at your job. Or, at least, not going above and beyond.
Basically, talented people feel they’re expected to do too much, and employers feel their employees are slacking off.
It’s indicative of an overwork culture that’s more common to the US than, say, western Europe‚ where it’s less common.
Here’s how we think about quiet quitting
We set clear, specific output goals
If they’re hit, everyone wins. People shouldn’t be expected to do more, or less, than they’re asked.
Good managers set good expectations, and good team members deliver on those expectations.
We expect our team members to do good work
It’s no surprise that better work reaps better rewards. Doing the bare minimum is harmful to team members and to their employers.
We believe in autonomy and trust
Employees shouldn’t need to be micromanaged. If they’re left to their own devices, they’ll likely do a better job than if they’re constantly being second guessed.
We think work should be challenging, but not all-consuming
While we want our team members to be engaged in their work, we also know that work is just a part of life. It shouldn’t consume everything else.
A healthy balance is key to a happy, productive workforce.
Our final take
Much of the “quiet quitting” frustration appears to come from poor management which, in turn, results in poor output.
Our advice? If you feel like quiet quitting, talk with your clients or your manager about expectations.
If you have team members who you feel are doing the bare minimum, have an honest chat with them about what’s expected.
Transparency can solve many problems, and this may be one of them.
Quiet quitting can be frustrating, especially when it feels like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Our advice is to talk with your clients or manager about expectations, and if you have team members who aren’t pulling their weight, have an honest chat with them about what’s expected. Transparency can often solve many problems.
