30 People Share The Biggest Lessons They Learned At Work That Every Working Person Should Know

Truth hurts, doesn't it? Let's take these lessons in stride and move forward.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• February 26, 2022

We learn through life experiences. And considering that we spend a large portion of our time at work, we are bound to learn some things there too.

And we are not talking about how to perform our tasks. No, we are talking about important life truths that are must-know for anyone looking for their first job.

Unfortunately, these life lessons are mostly disappointments, but then again, dealing with disappointment is a big part of our personal development. So, are we saying that the companies are doing us a favor by disappointing us with their complete disregard for our contribution to the company?

There appears to be a large number of people willing to offer their invaluable knowledge and teach others about the ins and outs of the professional world. "What is the biggest lesson that employment has taught you?" - this question was posted by a Twitter user angelamavalla.

Then the responses began to pour in by the hundreds. So, here are some of the greatest tweets from this thread that we've gathered.

If you are looking for a job, read them carefully. It is better to be realistic than to believe in fairytales.

By fairytales, we also mean job ads.

1. Money isn't everything

2. Hop around

3. Be selfish

4. HR cares about the company

5. Good work brings on more work

6. Unfortunately, this is most often true. Dunning-Kruger effect at work

7. Find a place where you can get along

8. The equation is quite correct

9. The company doesn't really care about you

Nicola Simpson, a London-based career coach, says that the need to manage their career is at the top of the people's list.

"In the early years, the attention is on the acquisition of skill, knowledge, expertise," she says.

"Thereafter, people need to be thinking about their long-term career progression, focusing on the selection of roles they both want and NEED to do to advance, and then actively managing their timeline." Namely "not staying in any one role too long, equally not leaving too soon."

10. You don't have to be friends

11. We are family. Now leave

12. Always be on the lookout for that word...

13. Our health comes first

14. The "Floor Theory." It is not a theory but reality

15. Exit interview? No, thanks!

16. Scary talk

17. Find something better

18. It’s a kind of magic

19. Every single minute

20. Just be convincing

21. Truth hurts

22. Three important things...

23. You are just a number

24. No job is worth it

25. Well, what is then?

26. Your personal business remains your personal business.

27. Your time is important. Job is not

28. Just do the minimum

29. The management is the enemy

30. Don't get comfortable

We are sorry to say that none of the lessons featured was something along the lines of “be nice to people, they will repay you with kindness,” or “hard work pays off.” But, to be honest, considering the way managers behave, it is unrealistic to expect that the answers would be positive. Something’s gotta change.

Damjan