Why You Should Never Treat Employers Like Friends and Family: The Three Mutuals for Career Success
In today's volatile job market, with rising interest rates, inflation, and cost of living, coupled with decreasing salaries and high turnover rates, it's more crucial than ever to understand the true nature of your partnership with your employer. Today, I'm here to share a perspective that will change how you approach your career: the concept of the Three Mutuals.
The Three Mutuals: Your Career Compass 🧭
1. Mutual Trust
2. Mutual Respect
3. Mutual Benefit
These three elements form the foundation of a successful professional partnership. Notice I said "partnership," not "relationship." This distinction is vital. Your employer is not your friend or family; they're your business partner. When you have mutual trust, respect, and benefit, you have a true and equitable partnership.
Why This Mindset Matters
Too often, I see professionals getting caught up in the emotional aspects of their job. They feel let down when their employer doesn't treat them like family or when they're not as appreciated as they think they should be. This emotional attachment can cloud your judgment and prevent you from making objective decisions about your career.
By viewing your employment as a partnership based on the Three Mutuals, you remove the emotional baggage and focus on what truly matters: a fair and beneficial arrangement for both parties.
Assessing Your Current Partnership 🤔
If you're feeling unhappy or unfulfilled in your current role, it's time to take a step back and evaluate. Ask yourself:
1. Has the trust factor changed?
2. Has the respect factor changed?
3. Has the mutual benefit changed?
Be honest with yourself. If you can identify which of the Three Mutuals has been compromised, you're in a position to address the issue head-on.
Having the Tough Conversations
Once you've identified the problem, it's time to have a conversation with your boss. Approach this calmly and rationally. Discuss how one (or more) of the Three Mutuals has been broken and explore ways to get the partnership back on track.
Remember, this isn't about placing blame or getting emotional. It's about objectively assessing the partnership and finding solutions to restore balance.
Knowing When to Move On 🚶
If you've had the conversation and made efforts to rectify the situation, but things aren't improving, it might be time to seek a new partnership. There's no shame in this. You gave it a try, attempted to fix the issues, and now it's time to move on to a partnership that better aligns with the Three Mutuals.
Empowering Yourself for Success
Adopting this mindset doesn't happen overnight. It requires a shift in how you view yourself professionally. You need to stop seeing yourself as an employee with "golden handcuffs" and start viewing yourself as a "business of one."
This means:
1. Knowing your unique value add (UVA)
2. Understanding how to market yourself effectively
3. Being confident in negotiating for what you deserve
Taking the Next Step ➡️
If this approach resonates with you, and you're ready to take control of your career, I'm here to help. At Work It DAILY, we're on a mission to help people secure better-paying jobs. We provide the tools, knowledge, and support you need to transform your career approach and demand partnerships based on the Three Mutuals.
Ready to become the hero of your own career story? Start by taking advantage of Work It DAILY's free 7-day trial. You'll get expert guidance and resources to help you navigate your career with confidence and purpose. Don't settle for less than you deserve—join us today and start building the career of your dreams!
Go get ‘em!
J.T. O’Donnell
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