Why should I give “two fucks” about my work?

Have you heard about the buzz phrase “you either go big, or you go home”? Those who thrive in today’s organizations are those who have hacked how to stay relevant in their respective organizations. It doesn’t just happen overnight, it takes strategic positioning which includes earning the trust of your superiors and colleagues, building your capacity as it relates to your job description, and the company’s ultimate goals. Guess what? You do not necessarily have to be the boss or an ass kisser to influence how decisions are made in your organization, you only need to know your onions so well.

I remember as an undergraduate I was part of a student organization. I was just a member who was committed to the vision of the organization. I showed up and went on field trips when it was called for, it wasn’t the most convenient for me but I knew what I wanted for myself. In no time at all, I was made the financial secretary. As the financial secretary, I increased the target and cash flow of the organization literally from 0-100. A few months down the line, I was made the project head of a project that will end up transforming the organization’s narrative entirely and earned me the trust and respect of my team members. I was really influential and resourceful. Many mistook me for the team leader, I was just the project lead of ‘a project’, but I called the tune on many occasions.

A lot of Gen ‘Zs’ are only interested in putting in minimum effort while expecting maximum results, if that isn’t a criminal act, I don’t know what else is. You are quick to throw the word ‘toxic’ at the slightest feeling of discomfort, you are less concerned about what goes wrong with the organization and how to fix it, after all, it’s not your Father’s company, is it? You don’t have good interpersonal skills and care less about office politics which is one the surest ways to influence whatever decision is being made at your workplace.

Those who have stayed relevant in their organization are those who actually gave two fucks about what goes on in the organization and are impact-driven. You have to be focused on contributing to the larger good, not just the achievement of your objectives. Titles don’t make leaders, it’s possible to be a junior staff member and still be a leader. Leadership is more of an act than a title, it involves taking responsibility and initiative.   Everyone wants an individual who is resourceful, shows up, keeps to their word, goes the extra mile, and provides solutions to problems in their team.  You have to be that person who is reliable, trusted to get the job done for your impact to be felt. This way you can conveniently influence decisions in your organization because they can now trace your track record of successfully improving the organization’s outcome, the exceptions are only when you are working in a work environment that is moving mad, I mean a toxic environment that equally doesn’t give two fucks about their employees.

You need to be able to influence decisions such as the organization’s mode of operation, Salaries, employee benefits, and general organizational culture. You no longer have to constantly rant and complain about the culture of the organization as you now have a voice that matters in how decisions are made. 

Essentially,  to stay relevant, commit to building capacity and skills, build your interpersonal and networking skills and give two fucks about your organization and the people it. An opportunity is always what you make of it whether as a junior member or a senior member of a community/organization.