I'm Just a Grunt
If you loved video games and were born in the 90s, you likely have come across the grunt from Warcraft. Unless you're an orc or a warrior, you may not find this character relatable. But the term grunt is actually what a lot of people in the workplace are. Just look at the last definition below:
Yup, low-ranking. This could define what some people can only do, or how far they could go. So some people go quiet quitting, or doing only what their paid to do -- the bare minimum. But believing that spells out their own doom.
I am actually low-ranking too. I'm just a support rep, hence, I am expected to do grunt work, or menial tasks -- calling customers, investigating cases or tickets, and so on. Neither have I ever been promoted in my entire career as well. But my low-rank doesn't prevent me from doing amazing things. In fact, if you're a grunt, don't let that prevent you from doing amazing things as well. Your rank doesn't define who you are, or what you should comply to merely do.
Now Seth Godin's post presented two options. It was about having the option to comply, keep your head down, and be safe; or the option to be responsible, take action for change, and make some noise. Though worded differently, Seth talks about this idea in Linchpin.
The option to be responsible means being accountable, not only for your tasks or for yourself, but also for others, even those outside your care.
Even when I'm officially at the bottom of the hierarchy, I don't actually feel like I'm at the bottom, probably because of actively working on things I'd like to change in the organization, on top of doing what is expected.
We don’t spend nearly enough time celebrating responsibility. Our niche in the hierarchy is actually irrelevant, particularly for those you helped today. What matters is our willingness to see what’s happening and to sign up to do something about it. -- Seth Godin
For instance, right now, I'm working on an initiative to reskill employees, for better transitions into roles. Working on the initiative forces me to connect with people who actually have the power to make things happen. I get to meet with directors and leads of other product areas or service tiers/levels, and that level of involvement makes me feel in charge. I'm just a grunt; but I can do amazing things.
So think of initiatives and work on them. Reach out to those who can give you some leverage to make things happen. Make some noise. And if you can do great things as a grunt, how much more could you give when you rank up?
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