Have you ever shared an idea or contributed to a meeting and left with crickets? Wondering if there’s any point in sharing the work you do?
Then you’ve come to the right place!
Feeling undervalued at work is something many of us face, from being an administrator to a managerial position. This feeling can wear at our confidence and eventually affect our performance.
This feeling is difficult because it’s not black and white and can be hard to explain to someone else.
Root Causes of Feeling Undervalued at Work
There are many reasons why coworkers make you feel this way. It may stem from poor management, office politics, or a lack of recognition culture. If someone else does it and gets away with it, others slowly act like this, too. How everyone is treated is a direct reflection of the manager. When negative behaviours have no consequences, it morphs into so much more.
It’s important to be aware of your surroundings so you know that quite often it has nothing to do with you.
We want to feel valued and like part of the team; there’s nothing wrong with wanting this feeling. We spend 40 hours of our time at work.
After a while, we begin to quieten down in meetings, contributing less and less. We worry less about the work we produce because who’s going to care?
As a result, we put our value on our team and managers. Listening and watching, determining how we should feel. Putting our self-worth into our jobs and those around us.
Signs You’re Not Valued at Work
- Judging yourself harshly if you make a mistake or always assuming it was you who made the mistake
- Not participating in social catch-ups
- Feeling scared of speaking up in meetings
But it’s time to flip it.
Why Your Job Does Not Define Your Worth
It’s important to remember that our job does not define us. The opinions of our coworkers are not our life story, nor do they have control over how we see ourselves.
If people don’t value you at work, that’s on them. I’ve found that some are only interested in putting themselves first, regardless of their effect on others. Their opinion is the most important – regardless of their position.
Self-Advocacy Tips to Feel More Valued at Work
Office environments can be highly competitive and have very little to do with performance. There are times when I’ve been thrown under the bus so someone can maintain their image. It’s not personal, as they are just like you, trying to survive. However, that doesn’t mean you need to step into this environment. There are many ways to feel successful, and that starts with you.
Start recognising your achievements by writing them down so you can keep track. There may be times you’ve spoken up in a meeting or completed a process more efficiently. Building your achievements can help you feel better about the work you do.
If you feel comfortable doing so, ask for feedback from your manager. This can help show your manager that you do care about the work you do and want to improve. There may also be areas that you weren’t aware of that could be enhanced. If your manager is supportive, they will most likely help and guide you. There may be an opportunity to speak more in a meeting, which can help you be more confident when speaking in meetings.
6 Ways to Combat Feeling Undervalued at Work
- Your job is not your life story; these people you work with will be a season of your journey.
- You are enough and worthy regardless of what others may think. Let them have their opinions.
- Produce work to your ideal standard. If you know you are doing well at your job, then continue producing good work. If you think there are things you can improve on, then slowly chip away at them. This will let you learn more skills and become more confident.
- Take a breather – if something has happened during a meeting or someone has said a mean comment, go for a walk. Giving yourself space is essential.
- Breathe, count to five, and say to yourself, “They do not determine my self-worth, only I can.”
- Enjoy your hobbies. Doing more of the things you love outside of work can help lessen the mental load of work.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Work Define Your Self-Worth
Feeling undervalued at work is not nice, but it doesn’t mean it’s true. Focus on yourself and feel good about what you do. It may come as a surprise that the more you challenge this feeling, the more it can change daily.
Do you have any tips or experiences that helped you combat this feeling?
Keep shining,
Madeline ✨
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