Most people can relate to feeling disconnected and powerless at work. Maybe your boss is constantly micromanaging you, or you feel like your job is soul-sucking and you're just going through the motions. Whatever the reason, it's a sad but actual fact that most people feel alienated and powerless at work.
These are Five Top Reasons Why Employees Feel Disconnected
1.) Lack Of Company Vision And Values
Sometimes, employees feel disconnected at work because they don't know where their company is headed or its vision and values. They may even believe that the vision and values do not align with their own. This can lead to feelings of helplessness, as employees may feel like they're just cogs in a machine rather than valued company employees.
To combat this, company leaders have to communicate them with employees, hold team meetings where they go over these values, and then share how each employee's work contributes to achieving these goals.
2.) A Micromanaging Boss
Another reason employees feel disconnected and powerless at work is a micromanaging boss. A micromanaging boss doesn't trust their employees, won't give them the tools to do their jobs, and often takes credit for their employees' work. Employees can end up feeling like they are just running errands for the boss instead of doing something important.
Again, as a manager, it's critical to give your employees the tools they need to do their jobs, trust them with autonomy, and check in regularly on how they are doing and what you can do to help them achieve success.
3.) Different Company Cultures Among Departments
In some companies, there are seemingly different company cultures observed among departments. For example, the marketing department might feel like they have a more relaxed culture than the accounting department. Employees from both departments can feel disconnected if their personalities do not fit with either of the perceived cultures.
This needs to be addressed by upper management and human resources. To combat this disconnect, employers must encourage all employees to feel a sense of camaraderie and cross-departmental empathy.
4.) Not Enough Opportunities for Growth And Development
Sometimes employees feel disengaged and helpless at work because they don't see opportunities for growth and development. They might not see how their work contributes to the bigger picture and how it makes a difference. They may even feel like they have been in the same position for too long and that no one cares about their career advancement or professional development.
To combat this, employers must pay attention to what employees want from their careers and work with them to find ways to help them achieve these goals.
5.) Employees Feel Like They Lack Control Over Their Work
Lastly, sometimes employees feel disengaged and powerless because they do not feel like they have control over their work. They might be doing things that don't make sense to them or tasks for which they are not qualified. This lack of autonomy can result in employees feeling frustrated, de-motivated, and eventually disconnected.
To combat this, employers must ensure that their employees are qualified for the assigned tasks and give them the autonomy to modify tasks if needed. For example, if an employee is given several different projects, let them prioritize which project goes before the others.
Final words
Whatever the reason causes you to disconnect, there are things you can do to combat this. First, try to find a support group or network with other professionals. This can help you feel less alone and give you some insight into how others deal with similar situations.
Second, take time for yourself outside of work. Make sure you have hobbies and activities that you enjoy and make time for them in your schedule.
Finally, use your breaks to do something you enjoy. Even if it's just reading a book or taking a walk, taking a few minutes to do something you enjoy can help you feel refreshed and ready to face the rest of your day.
These strategies will help you regain a sense of power and connection to your job. And who knows? Maybe they'll even help you find a new job that's a better fit for you!
