Don't Drink The Kool-Aid

Yesterday I received an email from someone complaining about their manager who "had just drank the company Kool-Aid", and was harassing her even though she was well above her quota. Apparently he needed to reach a certain number in December even though in November his team had set a company sales record for his region.  I asked her how that made her feel.

Her response:  "Unappreciated. It's as if the company doesn't give a damn about anything but the numbers and this new manager is a kid straight off the assembly line who cares only about getting promoted.  I feel like even though I've been here 5 years they don't care about me at all. What do you think I should do?"

My response: "Unfortunately you're right, they don't care about you.  Sales has and always will be about numbers and we know this sad fact.  Yet it would be nice if they at least acknowledged your efforts.  I feel your pain but realistically, things will not change.  The sooner you accept it and move on, the better off you'll be.  Don't expect a pat on the back every week, just post numbers stay ahead of quota, earn commissions and be happy that you too haven't drank the Kool-Aid.  You're still employed, making a decent living and you must be a helluva a rep if you've exceeded quota for 5 straight years, especially in this economy.  The kid will soon learn that drinking the Kool-Aid isn't always a good thing and down the rode he'll wake up.  Keep at it and good luck, you'll be around a lot longer than he will."

The reality is that corporations, even though they are legally registered as a "person",  don't need to act with any type of moral integrity.  They don't have to care about you or me or anyone except their stockholders. They are fiscally responsible and not morally responsible.   As a result people get laid off, fired, or even worse they go crazy and come in and shoot up the headquarters.  So if you're looking for your company to hold your hand when you go out on a call, or console you when a deal falls through, you are expecting way too much.  Keep your head down, stay focused on your customers, and you'll be much better off.  Oh...and don't drink the Kool-Aid, it can be lethal to your career. (If you're not familiar with the Kool Aid reference, search Jonestown)

-M