Feeling Overlooked at Work: How Can I Address Lack of Recognition from My Seniors?

Hi,

My name is Shweta. I am working with a reputed financial company. My concern is that my work is often ignored or overlooked by my seniors.

I see appreciation emails from them for my colleagues who just closed a call of 50,000, whereas I didn't get a single word of appreciation from my Regional or Zonal Manager when I closed a call worth 1.5 lakh.

I received an SMS from my L2 reporting manager, but despite me going and informing them repeatedly about the business I have done, there has been no official communication sent regarding it (nothing in the form of an email as it was and is sent for my colleagues). I have never had any conflicts or issues with any of my seniors or colleagues in the system.

My immediate reporting boss tried to pass it on to the next level, yet neither he nor I received any response. At times, I feel demotivated as to why I am doing all this.

If I talk in figures, in the last 9 months, my team (17 members) has generated a business of 1 crore, out of which I alone contributed more than 10 lakhs.

I want to know from seniors how to address this in a proper manner.

Regards,
Shweta

Hi Shweta,

I can understand how frustrating it would be for you when your performance is not appreciated or recognized. However, it is important for you to realize that learning will always stand you in good stead.

It would be a good idea for you to just step back and rationally analyze why you think you have been ignored. Ask yourself if you come across as very aggressive in your work style, pushy with your colleagues, or so career-driven that you unknowingly trample upon the toes of colleagues/seniors, etc. You might rationalize your behavior, but the reality is how others perceive you.

The second thing you must do is learn not to compare yourself with others. If you have achieved your targets, then keep a record of it. I am sure in your annual appraisal you will get a chance to highlight your contribution, and it would be difficult for your seniors to dismiss that easily. You will definitely get your due then.

However, at the end of the day, if you are very frustrated, it is in your interest to seek a change. The markets are opening up, and there are ample opportunities. Just bear in mind that you should not change too many jobs too soon just because you are not getting the recognition you believe you deserve. If that is the case, there is a very high probability that you have to change. Also, take the counsel of some elders, preferably your professors at college.

I am sure you have a very bright and successful career ahead of you.

Best Wishes,

Jacob

[Effective Written Communication, English Language Skills, Create Web Content](http://www.actspot.com) – website

[Academy for Creative Training](http://www.poweract.blogspot.com) - blog

Thank you, Jacob, for the words of wisdom. I hope you do not work in the same organization, and worst of all, in the same team as I do. (I have a colleague with this name).

Regards,
Shweta

Good suggestion, Mr. Jacob.

Ms. Shweta, when there is no recognition and respect, we should not stay. This is my advice and my experience also.

I am about to complete 1 year in the system, and I believe that before actually looking out for a change, I must consider two things first:

1. My own priorities, which are well taken care of here apart from job recognition.
2. Is it safe for my professional growth?

In my case, it's not safe to switch jobs in just a 1-year time period. Plus, I don't want to run away from things like this; I want to face it and fight with it. At least I can try rather than job hopping, which is the least I can expect from myself.

Hopping is just an option but not a solution. What if I come across the same difficulty in my organization as well? Is there a guarantee that I will not face it again???

I want to resolve things, not to skip it. And I believe that to change the system, we have to be a part of the system.

Hope I made myself clear.

Shweta

Dear Shweta,

I followed the above conversations. At the outset, I appreciate that you have analyzed the things very well. This is seldom done by people. I would appreciate even more if you analyze yourselves more, maybe from a third angle. Just wisely try to understand what others perceive about you as an employee. Maybe get feedback from your colleagues. But be careful in communication. As far as change is concerned, always remember the grass always looks greener on the other side. Be very selective. I might not be one hundred percent correct as the shoe pinches only the one who wears it.

Regards, Hrishikesh

Hi Shweta,

You are the soul, and the organization is the physical body. Often the body ignores the soul, but the fact is that the soul gives life to the body. Think along these lines:

1. Appreciate yourself.
2. Measure your learning progression and achievements.
3. Your achievements are worth your motivation.
4. Share your knowledge.
5. Standardize your style of work.
6. You are a brand within yourself.
7. Identify what others could not and cannot do and achieve those.
8. It's not always numbers that take you to greater heights.
9. Nothing in this world goes unnoticed.
10. Value cannot be demanded; it's created.

You are bold enough to face reality. That speaks a lot about you. If the above basics are on your daily list, then you are on the right path to success.

All the Best,
Uday

Thanks Uday. I certainly would like to deal with this constructively. Your words have actually provided me with the moral support I was missing badly.

Thanks a ton,
Shweta

Often, complex problems have simple solutions.
Here the simplest solution is to CHANGE THE JOB: that's what millions of people have done before you, and millions will keep doing. Unless you are expecting the organization to change the way you would like it to be.

The choice is yours; one always has a choice. If you want to complete a year or so, you can. But remember, you can't always have the cake and eat it too!

Warm regards.

Looking from a management perspective:

1. A person who is supposed to appreciate would have thought that communication has been sent already. Even if reminded, if one sternly believes that such communication has been sent, you will not receive it again. There are many reasons behind this, all driven by a "suspect" instinct.

2. Management would have chosen not to appreciate when they feel that such appreciation could become the basis for a demand for a salary increase. Meeting or not meeting such a demand could both become issues for them. This depends on the outspoken nature you exhibited during your tenure.

3. Management would have lost respect for the superior through whom this was brought to their attention. Under such circumstances, maintaining close contact with the superior could be an issue for you in the long run, especially if the company you are serving is esteemed. (Please bear in mind that India is still a developing nation and every company is evolving; do not expect transparency to meet Six Sigma standards).

4. Management would have felt that either there was some undue advantage extended by your team in your success or that there was wrong communication (credit intended for others being passed on to you).

5. Management will never appreciate any closure if it brings in more troubles than money. The gravity of the troubles decides the language that defines the strength of appreciation.

If you have enough access to information and people, check all the above 5 points, and you will get an answer.

As an HR professional, I will never accept the fact that you are moving from this current organization to another, even if it is my organization, and claim during the interview that you were deprived of credit for your contributions. In the end, it is the documents that speak, and if you have no document stating that you performed well, others will assume you did not perform well. The better choice is to stay in the organization, prove that you can contribute in the long run, and gain recognition.

If you are constantly deprived of credit, it indicates that the corporate culture is damaged, and working for such an organization will not benefit your resume.

Therefore, whether you decide to move on or stay depends on your inner strength and your estimation of the work you can complete or the orders you can close in relation to compensation.

Dear Shwetaji,

Your queries are very common in nature, and I was going through the comments posted by various persons, and one common thing which reflects "Quit the job"? How long can one do such things in his/her career? I quote "the other side of the river looks green always and vice versa...right? One more example I would like to share with all: If you cut your feet while walking barefoot on the street, will you ask the municipality to lay carpet all along the road? The answer is a big NO. Therefore, buy footwear and walk proudly. In this gambit of human life, a WINNER NEVER QUITS.

DO NOT BE SENTIMENTAL; GOOD WORK CAN'T BE OVERLOOKED. JUST WAIT FOR TIME, BE CALM.

So, Cheers. Have wonderful days ahead.

Thank you very much for providing professional insight. I have 9 years of experience, and in the last 9 years, I have worked with 4 major brands. I understand most aspects of corporate culture and have found answers to most of my recent questions. I want to express my gratitude to everyone in this forum for their sincere advice.

Regards,
Shweta

There is the negative way of looking at your problem. It goes like this: It is a big organization, and people at the top are all efficient and competent. That is why they are there. They are fully capable of assessment of the contribution by any staff member. If they do not show any appreciation, it is because none is warranted. No employee should demand appreciation. By saying that there is some shortcoming in the management style, the employee has only made false allegations against his bosses. This is not welcome. The employee should be properly counseled about this. Such employees might later develop into trouble and pessimism makers. The employee's negativism should be nipped in the bud. He can be relegated to some clerical job, and his performance strictly watched.

Hi Shweta,

I have empathy how you are feeling. But, let me explain... You are hurt because you expect. Leave expecting! I understand it's hard, but if you don't, you would be emotional. Further, the people are like this only. Do you think such people are in your office only? I bet you are wrong. In your neighbour, in your family, society, everywhere people are like this only. Nevertheless, we are to live. Don't forget. You know, life is a coffee...Let me share an real incident of APJ Abdul Kalam - A group of old students of a college, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university lecturer. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the lecturer went to the kitchen and* returned with a large pot of coffee and an* assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, some plain-looking and* some expensive and exquisite, telling them to help themselves to hot coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the lecturer said:* "If you noticed, all the nice-looking,* expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the better cups and are eyeing each other's cups."

"Now, if Life is coffee, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change." "Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it." So please, don't let the cups drive you...enjoy the coffee instead.

....so Shweta, Hope for the Best, but Be Prepared for the Worst... You would be more happy. All the best...!

- Dr. Manoj Shukla

[MBA-HRM; Doc. - Mkt. Mgt.]

Great words of wisdom from almost all - just to add my 2 cents to your understanding:

Believe in one simple thing - If you don't fight for your career, do not expect someone to do it for you! That's as simple as I can put it across. However, there is a very thin line between doing a good job and getting credit for it and being pushy about it.

The trick is the Buddha path - not too overt and also not too laid back. Don't be simplistic and think that if you work well, things will come to you automatically - nope, that's a very simplistic view. Neither can you be seen as aggressive because nobody likes a colleague who is smart - let's admit it - because the moment people know that you are smart, they tend to avoid you because they know that you can beat them hands down.

Phew! That's about it!

Hi Shweta,

I have been working with Ipru since June 2006. I saw your problem and understand the challenges you are facing with the ignorance of your seniors.

In my experience, if you can compromise or adjust with your seniors, you can continue in your job. If you are performing well in business compared to others, then you should not take any tension and also not worry about the ignorance of your seniors.

Your hard work and performance will automatically prove yourself, and nobody can tolerate it. However, if there are any personal intentions involved from either side, then it may be better to start a job search and switch immediately. Engaging in conflicts or standing against your seniors may result in continuous harassment. I am not suggesting you stand against your seniors, but please try to adjust with them to avoid losses and the various difficulties that may impact your productivity and performance.

I have also faced similar problems since April 2009, but ultimately, the loss was mine.

So, please try to understand and consider this situation seriously with a calm mind.

Jitendra

Dear Shweta,

I have reviewed your email. No good work goes unnoticed or goes to waste. People generally think that performance alone matters. However, the person behind the job is very important. As Mr. Jacob rightly put it, attitude is crucial. Your expectations may be the culprit; when we boast about our achievements and compare ourselves to colleagues, subtle negativity spreads. These vibes can create aversion in the minds of both colleagues and superiors, leading to a mindset of "Oh! You think you are great and deserve appreciation... let's see!"

Shweta, you sometimes behave overly smart. Show humility, kindness, and love in all your daily activities alongside hard work. Interpersonal relationships often outweigh knowledge, skill, experience, and expertise. Some friends have suggested that you consider changing your job. If you don't change yourself, you may face similar experiences in a new environment.

I have dedicated 32 years of service, with 30 solid years in one organization. I now oversee the entire administration functions of our organization, with 132 employees under my supervision, reporting directly to the Senior Vice President. This is the lesson I have learned, Shweta! When you perform your duties excellently, achieve results, and maintain a respectful demeanor towards superiors and camaraderie with colleagues, appreciation tends to follow. Would you like to see the results? Please consider adopting my suggestions.

You appear to be intelligent and hardworking. You are young, with many years ahead to achieve great things in life. It is never too late, my friend. Cheer up!

Best wishes.

With love and regards,

R. Ganesh
Manager (Administration)
DCW Limited, Sahupuram (TN)
Freelance Soft Skills Trainer, Hypnotherapist, Psychological Counselor, Reiki Master & Healer, Writer & Orator.

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Hi,

My name is Shweta, and I work with a reputed financial company. I am concerned that my work is often ignored or overlooked by my seniors.

I have noticed appreciation emails for my colleagues who close deals worth 50,000, yet I have not received any recognition from my Regional or Zonal Manager for closing a deal worth 1.5 lakh.

Although my L2 reporting manager sent me an SMS, despite my repeated efforts to inform them about my achievements, there has been no official communication acknowledging my work (unlike for my colleagues). I have not had any conflicts with my seniors or colleagues.

My immediate boss attempted to escalate the issue, but neither of us has received a response. At times, I feel demotivated, questioning why I am putting in all this effort.

To provide some context, in the last nine months, my team (consisting of 17 members) has generated business worth 1 crore, with my individual contribution exceeding 10 lakhs.

I seek guidance from seniors on how to address this situation effectively.

Regards,
Shweta

Dear Sir R Ganesh,

I am thankful and indebted to you and all fellow members of this forum for helping me with your valuable input. I certainly will try to bring positive changes in myself because I know I can't change the world, but I can surely change myself. I love to change. So for me, now a bigger challenge is to hone my IP skills.

Keep guiding me on this line. Thank you very much.

Warm Regards,
Shweta