Which group are you in – those in a race for the bottom? Those are people who resent the success of others, and figure that because they don’t have something (whatever that “thing” may be) other people should not have it either.
Or are you in the group that encourages everyone to reach for the stars? Those are people who rejoice in the success of others, and strive to achieve similar (or greater) successes of their own. I’m not talking about people who should be given something “as their right”, with no effort required on their part (although food and shelter I think should be a basic right for everyone). Rather, I’m referring to people who with the right attitude, the right intent in their hearts, and a solid work ethic, achieve everything in their wildest dreams.
This question comes up in tough economic times. Some employers, I think wrongly, try and take advantage of the fear associated in these moments to say “times are tough for everyone, so reduce your wages/benefits [fill in the blank] and we’ll keep on going”. Other people agree thinking that in a tough economy, better to have less wages/benefits/[fill in the blank] than to have no job at all. People will say “well I don’t have that in my job, so why should you?” That attitude is what I call the race to the bottom- and at the bottom, there lies only dust.
Well I think there is a yes and no to that particular predicament. Some companies truly do need a break from their workers to weather tough times. However I might argue that you could agree to that – as long as the company agrees in writing that as the economy rights itself, then the next set of negotiations begin at where you left off, not where you ended up. And why shouldn’t you have the right to negotiate for the same or better in your job or even your relationship?
I think any time a particular person or group can negotiate a position for themselves that improves upon where they were, we should all shout Bravo! And rejoice in their success. And then set your intentions to have the same or better for yourself. Because I do believe it will come – and the outcome from gratitude and joy is much more satisfying than the ashes from the race to the bottom.
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