“They don’t value my work”: what to do?

Not feeling valued at work is something that can undermine our morale. easily. And not only in the workplace, but in any aspect of life. It’s not a matter of receiving a pat on the back either, but it is true that positive reinforcement, at certain times, can be like manna from heaven. Have you also ever thought “they don’t value my work”?

After all, according to Maslow’s pyramid, appreciation is an important need for every individual. And focusing on a professional context, it is normal for us to look for a recognition based on favorable results with which to give meaning to our efforts.

But what happens if our boss doesn’t value us? Well, we will not only notice a change in our professional situation; also in our psychophysical state, since Your approval is very important for any employee.

How do you know if your boss values ​​you?

Well, what is the way to know if our boss values ​​our work? We can rely on a series of clues and attitudes to try to find out without asking them directly:

Delegate responsibilities to you. If you see that your boss gives you responsibility assignments and wants you to do everything on your own and with autonomy, do not take it as an affront. Rather, quite the opposite, since it is a good sign that indicates that your boss values ​​your work a lot. He looks you in the eyes. This can depend on each person’s character, but generally if your boss is not distracted and looks you in the eyes when you talk, he is good. At the end of the day, he doesn’t want to lose any detail of what you’re telling him, since he values ​​your judgment a lot. He takes your opinion into account. And just like your criteria for performing your job, your boss may also value your opinion. This is another good sign that your superior takes your considerations into account. When he communicates with you, he does so in person. It is very common for our superiors to communicate with us through emails, calls and other telematic systems. Therefore, when your boss communicates with you in person, he will want to say that he sees you as an important piece of his project. He does not give you compliments. If he doesn’t compliment you, don’t tear your hair out either. What’s more, you could say that bosses rarely pat their most highly regarded employees on the back. And if he has to give a compliment, he will most likely do it in private.

What to do when “they don’t value my work”?

And if your boss hasn’t sent you any of these signals, it may be that he doesn’t really value you as you think you deserve. If you’re wondering what to do from here, we give you a few tips that could be useful to you in the workplace:

Maintain your personality. As much as you may be tempted to please everyone, it is best to avoid it. People generally don’t like the type of person who changes their behavior to gain acceptance. And much less, your boss. Accept the limits of others. It is highly recommended to generate ties with your co-workers, as well as with your boss, to the extent possible. But that does not mean that certain limits must be respected. The sooner you make it clear that you know how to respect and value them, the better consideration you will have within the company. Be productive. Nobody wants to have a worker on their staff who is not productive. Even when you do what is asked of you, it never hurts to be proactive and come up with new ideas. Stick to your schedule. It goes without saying that you must adhere to your schedule to the letter. Because, beyond the workplace, no one likes people who are not punctual or formal. Get to know your colleagues. Taking into account the limits that must be respected in each person, knowing your coworkers will always make it easier for you to grow within the company. After all, you will be valued by your peers, and that makes it easier to be valued by your superiors. Give help. Every good worker must be a good colleague. So, in addition to getting to know them, you must give them your help whenever they need it. Bosses value few things more: camaraderie. Specialize in a competition. Like everything in life, the more we specialize in a field, the more likely we are to stand out. Well, the same thing happens within your company. If your boss sees that you know how to solve a problem better than anyone else, he will trust you a lot. Don’t be a gossip. It’s good to know your colleagues and help them, but don’t make the mistake of going overboard. That is to say: no one likes to have a gossipy person around who can share sensitive information at any time. If you want your boss to like you, you must make him see that you are a trustworthy person.

Is it advisable to tell our boss that we don’t feel valued?

Telling your boss directly that you don’t feel valued may be seen as confrontational. And since that is precisely what you want to avoid, you should know that there are other ways to make him see your situation in a more veiled way. For example, arranging a meeting with him in which your latest work is evaluated.

You can highlight your professional successes in the company without having to show off. After all, what you need is acceptance and feedback positive to stabilize your insecurities and be able to grow professionally. Asking your boss how you can improve your work is also a good way to get noticed.

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