I’m sure you have heard “why can’t I when they” on more than one occasion. Perhaps you have even said or thought it yourself. The problem with “why can’t I when they” is that it stops forward momentum. It creates and entitled culture and if not managed correctly can foster a perception of favoritism. It sets the expectation that everyone gets the same rewards, benefits and treatment.
The reality is and should be that everyone doesn’t get that star, everyone can’t be mentioned in a speech that is given. “Why can’t I when they” is a phrase that you need to help others eliminate from their vocabulary immediately.
In order to help others understand why they can’t when others are you have to be brutally honest. If their performance isn’t the same caliber, tell them. If their seniority isn’t as high, tell them. If their job knowledge isn’t as vast, help them gain more. There are more reasons for why they can’t when others are than the internet can hold.
When people get wrapped up in getting what others have without doing the same amount of work and feeling like others are more privileged than they are their honest effort to do well begins to diminish. If you look hard enough you will find things that appear unfair all around us. Help them see why they aren’t getting something they feel they should just because someone else is but don’t stop there. Help them fill the gaps and keep their contributions high. Let’s fix the “why can’t I when they” mentality.
Last updated on March 2nd, 2018 at 06:57 am
