Grind Culture
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Grind culture, let’s talk about it. If you’ve worked in tech for any period of time, you’re likely familiar with the “grind mindset” that goes back decades. It’s gained a lot of popularity via social media influencers, LinkedIn addicted CEO’s, and maybe even your workplace. However, as we enter into an economic frontier that sees multiple companies undergoing mass layoffs, people are coming to find that grind culture does not equal mutual love. In fact, it erodes character.
Now, that’s not to say that working hard is a bad thing, or going for an all-nighter trying to make a project better is a wrong step. I’ve worked some weekends and 24-hour stints to make things work, especially if I’m feeling particularly inspired. However, by no means, is that type of work sustainable long term, and if you have a work culture that encourages it, your mental and physical health is at incredible risk.
Before reading further, please, read this article. (Courtesy of BBC)
When I read this, I was sick to my stomach. A twenty-six year old woman, robbed of her future, because the work culture surrounding her demanded that she’d put aside personal health in favor of company profits.
EY’s response? Something akin to “not our fault.”
Remember this, folks. Again, it’s okay to go the extra mile, or even two if you’re inclined. But remember that unless you’re working at a family auto parts store, your name doesn’t float to the top. The company moves on.
I’m incredibly happy to currently work somewhere that this mindset hasn’t infected. Don’t get me wrong, we have some intense weeks and tough quarters, but the culture here has been fantastic. Even though things are fine and dandy, it’s important to continually remind yourself and others that health, family, faith (if applicable), and your life comes first. Don’t push it aside to please someone who won’t appreciate it. Even if they respond to you with bonuses, incentives, or anything similar, remember that it doesn’t come free, and often the cost is your health. Stress is an absolute killer. I’ve lost work buddies to strokes from stress, and family members to brain-degrading diseases that are aggravated by years of intense workloads.
In closing, spend some time with your family today. If you live alone, then call them or maybe some friends. Celebrate life. Time is so finite and moves so incredibly quickly, it’s absolutely okay to take a step back and live your life before heading back into the meat grinder. And if you ever hear or see this type of ethic working it’s way into your team or company, absolutely call it out, and tell your coworkers the dangers of this type of ethic. There are far better ways to keep your company and investors happy that don’t come at the cost of health. Besides, a company is only as strong as it’s strongest employees. If you weaken everyone, your company performance will reflect that. Do the right thing.