The joy of being middle management is always fun in both Jo’s and my world. We spend many a moment slapping our heads and going, “Really?” But I digress, as since the recession has hit, my family and friends of mine I’m very fortunate to have a job.

So let’s talk about proper etiquette.

No matter how many times I tell people they still think I don’t know what they say behind my back and yet they still think that they are getting whatever they need from me after they have bad mouthed me to anyone who will listen.

I don’t care what people think of me anymore. I really don’t.  I used to care what people think about me, but I’ve watched people in careers soar to the heights of management that couldn’t do anything but talk about why his people couldn’t give him the proper TPS reports.  I used to want to be known by everyone, but right now I’m comfortable being who I am, the go to guy for the VP’s.  I’m in middle management, I do a great job, I get paid a fair salary and I get good benefits.  I’ve been there for 15 years and its going to take something incredible for me to leave. I’m comfortable.

But that being said, I’ve come to the conclusion that I can not nor should I give advice to my friends about their jobs.  Some of them will listen, some of them want to just have someone hear their bitches and most of them want to think that they are important in some fashion.

But I have pride in my work and my workplace, something that some employees in some places don’t have.

I went to a store and watched as some minimum wage employee tried to do his best to get something fronted while another boss watched and just told him why he was doing it all wrong. I could see it in the employees eyes that he cared very little about the job and it showed in his performance.

But then Joanna and I went to dinner and watched as a server take his time, get what we needed and be like a ghost, visible, but not intrusive.  His initiative got him a 30% tip and compliment to his manager.

Two people, one who didn’t want to care and got nowhere. One that had initiative and is going places.

I can see Andy as a Manager and Thomas well, asking me if I want fries with that.

Look guys, I can be brutally honest with you if ya let me, so here goes.

1.If you are working with me I’m going to give you 100%  and ask for 100% in return. I’m not going to ask you to do something that I haven’t done in the past nor I’m not willing to do with you.  I’m going to bust my ass for you behind closed doors and help you grow. But you’ve gotta help me. You’ve gotta make it so when I make my effort it doesn’t fall on deaf ears.  Because those who are deaf often miss their stop in the train of life.

2. If you want my help, ask.  I am willing and wanting to help anyone and everyone.  But if you ask for something and I provide it , you better have a good reason why you can’t help me.  Help is a two way street.

3. Communicate what you need.  I don’t have all the solutions or all the resources to make everything happen, but I do have friends who do.  But I can’t help if you don’t let me know what you need.  But then again, you better be following 1 + 2 above.

4. Be honest with me.  If there isn’t a shot in the world that you can help me, don’t string me along. Just say “Sean, can’t help you.” Because I’m going to be honest with you and sometimes honesty hurts, but then again it hurts a lot less than a painful lie.

5. Your family comes first, then your job, then your friends and after that everyone else. No ifs ands, or buts.

If you can remember these 5 truths, you will be a better person.  If not…

No, I don’t want my fries super sized.