There are few things that annoy me more than when I ask someone what they do for a job or living and their reply starts with, ‘Oh, I’m ‘Just a’…’. So I started thinking about the importance of valuing yourself in the workplace.
First of all, there is no such thing as a ‘‘Just a’…’ and the so called ‘‘Just a’s ‘are usually people who are often referred to as, ‘entry level’ who believe that because they are not a manager or a supervisor, they are of no significance hence the ‘‘Just a’…’
To me, ‘‘Just a’s’ are heroes…. who are very much unsung and overlooked or, to be fair, taken for granted.
I remember when I was Conference Host Manager, I overheard one of my team say to a guest that he was ‘‘Just a’ Porter’. I was appalled that he considered himself as a ‘‘Just a’…’
This ‘‘Just a’ Porter’ was as reliable as they come, he (and his colleagues) set up meeting rooms with precision and to brand, met and greeted the meeting hosts, took details of breaks, explained the fire exits, toilets and checked that they had everything they needed. He would deliver the refreshments on time, clear away, refresh the rooms at lunchtime, then clear away at the end of the meeting, only to reset for the next one.
Now tell me…where is the ‘‘Just a’…’ in that?
‘Just a’ carer who does home care may be the only form of contact that person has. The carer may be the difference between insufferable loneliness and someone to look forward to seeing. That carer may be the only time the person smiles that day.
‘Just a’ Kitchen Porter (KP). What you mean the KP who stands hours on end washing crockery and cutlery not to mention pots, pans, tray etc etc so people can eat off plates, drink out of cups or mugs and Chefs can cook in clean and sparkly pots? Who also cleans the larders, fridges and take in the deliveries? What that KP?
First impressions always count, so the ‘Just a’ cleaner or housekeeper in a hotel, cleaning public areas or bedrooms are creating a lasting impression without even being seen! Guests can see a well-kept Hotel, Lobby or Reception a mile off but because cleanliness is an expectation very little is said. It’s a different story when people walk into an unkempt, dirty space. That does get noticed more readily and generally vocalised more not just to the employees but to friends, family, TripAdvisor and so on.
In a hospital or care home the ‘‘Just a’ cleaner are integral to infection control. Lifesaving! Sometimes valuing yourself in your job is all about reframing the vital role you play.
Now, let’s consider this. Who would we miss more if they don’t rock up to work for a day or two: the CEO, Managing Director, Department Manager or would it be the frontline carers, cleaners, waiting staff, porters, bar tenders, shelf stackers, cashiers?
These unsung heroes keep our brands and reputations intact. They create good first impressions, and they often earn the lowest wages despite being far more important than many realise.
After hearing my colleague refer to himself as “just a porter,” I had a conversation with him. Although he insisted that he didn’t feel undervalued, I couldn’t help but feel terrible. In the spirit of valuing yourself I made him promise never to refer to himself as “just a” again. Today, that porter is a Hotel Manager.
So…next time someone starts off with, ‘I’m just….’, do what I do and say, ‘There is no such thing as a Just a’