Our understanding of work style in ourselves and others can be distorted by myths about people at work, according to www.fastcompany.com. Even when we learn about factors such as temperament, personality and values, a work environment has many obvious and subtle ideas about the right and wrong ways to work. Although these ideas are myths, they are powerful because they influence daily workplace interactions.
Following are some myths about work styles or workplaces.
- Myth: Longer work hours mean greater productivity. Despite studies that show everyone has a limit of productive hours during a day or a week, the myth continues. The longer employees work marathon hours, the less likely they can sustain the routine and deliver high-quality results.
- Myth: Money is the only motivator. This myth arises from the fact that financial reward is the easiest motivator to measure. However, studies show motivation and engagement at work are the result of many factors, including feeling like you are being appreciated and doing meaningful work. Motivation also can be driven by how people feel about their immediate managers and their teams.
- Myth: Most people do not really want to work hard. Few people are naturally lazy, but many “disengaged” employees do not want to put energy into a job they do not believe in. There could be factors such as a bad boss, unclear goals or unacknowledged work that kill motivation. Or maybe some people are in the wrong jobs, applying their weak skills instead of their greatest strengths. What is viewed as laziness could be more a product of the situation than an innate quality.
- Myth: Different work styles are required for maintaining relationships, leading and following. People love to typecast others. Remember that everyone is a mix of characteristics, and different styles express strengths in different ways.
- Myth: Work is a zero-sum game. This is a misconception based on traditional power hierarchies. The rules of human nature and capitalism debunk this myth because both are about people coming together to grow rewards available to all.
