Climate Control

My workplace is currently assessing its climate. They're trying to get a feel for what it's like working there and what issues face it's employees. I'm all for contributing to these types of conversations, but I'm very hesitant to fill out the online survey that was distributed.

I began taking the survey and stopped when I got about 1/4 of the way through. It began asking very specific questions about demographics. The survey asked about things like age, gender, ethnics, marital status... your basic rundown of information that goes into charts and graphs. However, after thinking about my demographics, I realized that everything I put into that section would easily identify my answers. After all, I am the only 26-32 Caucasian married male in my department. Actually, I'm the only 26-32 male in my department, and one of 5 males total.

I don't have bad things to say about work. But, there are things I'd like to see improve. And my M.O. is to not complain about things until they get really bad and cause disruptions to my ability to get things done. And I do believe that there are currently things that are getting in my way. I've voiced concerns through the correct channels, but I've so far been brushed off. So I've really stopped seeking approval and validation through these channels, because it's not going to happen. (It has been made abundantly clear.) Instead, I'm going to have to self-motivate and refocus, which is easy for me to do.

Let's touch on a little psychology, shall we? Many people operate on a reward/punishment system, which states that people do things to either receive a reward or to avoid punishment. I tend to respond much better to rewards than to avoiding punishment. In fact, I think the only organization that operated well under the punishment avoidance structure was the Mob... and that didn't turn out well for many people. Lately, there has been a lot of punishment avoidance going on, and not a whole lot of praise. And that's fine, because that's how some people operate. And I can work with that. But I'm going elsewhere to get my rewards, which will keep me going stronger.

And the place I'll go? Well, money doesn't motivate me. I'm not one of those materialistic people who needs to have things. Sure, I'll take a 50" widescreen LCD TV with built in keg fridge, but I don't need it. It's nice to have, but it serves its purpose. I'm a helper. I like seeing the impact of my work on the people it serves. And in Educational Fundraising, the people that are helped are students. If I can see the students succeeding and doing great things, then that's good enough for me. I think that's one reason I like volunteering for things that are outside of my comfort zone. (Like things with Student Activities, and events like Late Night Breakfast.) It gives me a chance to hear first hand that there are opportunities that are available to these students and that some of them are coming out of our office. As long as the students are thriving, than so am I.

I'll still in the air about this climate survey thing. The emails claim that everything is confidential, but I don't think I want to take my chances. I can imagine seeing a printed chart that states that "...Married Males aged 26-32 really think work is unfair..." and then being called into someone's office. (It's not unfair... you get my point.)

I'm going to mull it over, and maybe even take more of the quiz...errr...test...err... confidential survey to see if my comfort level changes.