Dissatisfaction at work often stems from feeling undervalued. Feeling undervalued can be caused by a lack of advancement, but it can also be caused by interpersonal issues, such as resentment toward your boss. Career coach Jasmine Escalera says you should think about what value means to you before investigating why you feel that way or considering possible solutions.
Escalera said it depends on the person. “I’ve had some clients who have said, ‘Value to me is my supervisor or my manager giving me affirmations, telling me that the work that I’m contributing and putting in is actually contributing to something.’”
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You may not immediately notice the signs that you are undervalued at your job – but they are there. Anyelis Cordero, founder of Propel on Purpose Coaching, a career coaching service designed for first-generation professionals, said it takes high emotional intelligence and political savvy to recognize the early warning signs. Experts say these are the main ones:
You’re Disengaged At Work
Being undervalued too often leads to feeling disengaged. According to Mary Abbajay, president of leadership development consultancy Careerstone Group, it’s a neuropsychological need: People want to feel connected, valued, and heard. Employees become disengaged when those things are taken away. When you feel unappreciated at work, it’s a sign to reflect on why.
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You’re Being Micromanaged.
A lack of autonomy or constant micromanagement are signs that you’re undervalued, Abbajay said. You don’t get any independence because they don’t respect you. Try a new reporting method as a short-term experiment if your boss monitors you instead of managing you. Your idea will likely be accepted if you frame it as an experiment.
Say something like, “Hey, I know you care about this deadline. Constantly checking in takes my focus away from the project. Maybe instead we can … ’” Lara Hogan, author of “Resilient Management,” previously told HuffPost.