u/Few-Negotiation-3974

I used to think that being the person everyone could rely on was always a good thing.

But sometimes it’s about being the first to show up when someone else doesn’t. Eventually your reliability starts to feel more like an expectation than a form of recognition.

I learned that there is a difference between being appreciated and being convenient.

Have you ever been in that situation at work?

For me it's how they handle a mistake.

A good supervisor can criticise in such a way that the person does not feel inferior or scared to ask further questions. It may seem like a small thing but it makes a big difference to the level of comfort people experience in their professional environment.

What is a simple act of kindness that you still remember from a good boss?

I said yes to everything for years, thinking that being flexible would help my career.

It just became the expectation instead.

The first time I started to draw boundaries and speak up for my value, I was taken more seriously than ever before.

Did your career benefit or suffer from setting boundaries?

I would always say yes to the first one. More work, working late, helping out when possible. I figured that was how you proved yourself.

I figured something out over time. The extra effort was no longer appreciated, it was simply expected. Saying yes all the time just became my normal workload, it didn’t lead to more recognition.

I still do my job well, I just am much more careful about what I volunteer for now.

What made you stop going the extra mile at work?

I have learnt that you can generally tell pretty quickly when a place of work isn’t as good as it seemed at the beginning. It isn’t always the workload that makes the difference. Sometimes it’s how people talk to each other, how mistakes are handled or if employees feel safe to talk up.

Looking back there was usually one moment where it all clicked.

What was the first indication that you knew a workplace was not a healthy one?

The best employer I ever had didn't check in every hour or question every little decision. They had high expectations, trusted me to do my job, and were there when I needed help. That trust made me more motivated to take ownership instead of just doing the bare minimum.

Looking back, I think trust had a bigger impact on my performance than perks or fancy office benefits. Has anyone else worked for an employer where trust made all the difference?