How Do Leaders View Employees Who Are Unassertive and Avoid Competition?
Many employees choose to be unassertive and avoid competing with colleagues in the workplace. However, leaders often have mixed views on such employees - some see benefits while others have reservations.
In today’s competitive corporate environment in China, some employees deliberately keep a low profile by not being assertive or proactively seeking opportunities for advancement. They prefer to focus on their assigned responsibilities and avoid workplace politics or aggressive self-promotion. How do leaders perceive these unassertive, competition-averse workers?
Based on input from Chinese professionals, leaders seem to have both positive and negative opinions of such employees:
On the positive side, these employees are often seen as stable, reliable and able to concentrate on completing their core job duties. Their easygoing attitudes can help foster a harmonious team atmosphere. Leaders may find them trustworthy to execute tasks without stirring up unnecessary conflict due to personal ambitions.
However, many leaders have reservations about unassertive employees' lack of drive and competitive spirit. In a cutthroat business landscape, leaders need staff who are motivated to push boundaries, innovate boldly and propel the business forward aggressively. Employees who are content with the status quo may be seen as lacking initiative and leadership potential.
When considering promotions and plum project assignments, leaders may hesitate to select unassertive employees, deeming them short on the assertiveness and executive presence needed for more senior roles. The squeaky wheel often gets the grease - those who proactively seek opportunities and fearlessly compete tend to gain an edge.
Additionally, leaders sometimes find it difficult to communicate with and fully leverage unassertive employees. Their reticence to speak up proactively means their ideas and concerns often go unheard. It falls to leaders to make an extra effort to solicit their thoughts.
Unassertive employees also run the risk of fading into the background and being taken for granted, especially in a large organization. If they don’t make their accomplishments and value known, they are more likely to miss out on recognition, advancement and plum assignments.
Overall, while leaders appreciate the stability and cooperation that unassertive employees bring, those same qualities can be impediments to individual career growth and a company’s need for aggressive innovation. For their own career prospects and to maximize their contributions, employees are well-advised to find a middle ground - maintaining their integrity and teamwork, while also selectively displaying more assertiveness when the occasion calls for it.