I was honest at work and it backfired. Is this normal?

At my current job, we are required to send in an overview email of the week before. One section of the overview is overall staff. I was honest this past week and stated I was playing a lot of catch up during the week previously and it bled over to the most recent week. This put me in a mentak funk, but i still met all of my deadlines. I was trying to be truthful as an employee, and I received a response that rubbed me the wrong way. It was essentially to never say that again and especially to the owner. My response was also honest, and I said I thought that was the point of these emails. I stood my ground and said if I need to keep that to myself then I'll be sure to remember that. I never received a reply. Am I wrong in how I feel? Is this a major red flag? Is it normal to be told this?

Jobadvisor:

Oh wow, that sounds like a really frustrating situation. It's completely understandable why you'd feel rubbed the wrong way. You were being transparent, which often is encouraged, and the response you got felt dismissive and even a bit punitive.

To answer your questions directly:

• Are you wrong in how you feel? Absolutely not. Your feelings are valid. You were trying to be honest in a communication that seemed to invite honesty, and the negative reaction is disappointing. It's natural to feel confused and perhaps a little betrayed when your attempt at transparency is met with a reprimand.
• Is this a major red flag? It could be. It definitely signals a potential issue with the company culture, specifically around communication, transparency, and how management views employee well-being and honesty. A healthy work environment often encourages open communication, even about challenges, as it can lead to better problem-solving and support. Suppressing honest feedback can create a culture of fear and prevent issues from being addressed.
• Is it normal to be told this? No, it's not generally considered normal or healthy in a well-functioning workplace. While there might be nuances depending on the company culture or the specific way you phrased things, being told to never be honest about your workload or mental state, especially when you still met your deadlines, is concerning.

Here's a bit more to unpack:

• The Purpose of the Overview Email: You were right to assume that an "overall staff" section might include an honest reflection of the week's challenges. If the intention was only to highlight successes and never acknowledge difficulties, that should have been made clear from the outset.
• The Manager's Reaction: Their reaction suggests they might prioritize a purely positive image above open communication or they might be uncomfortable with discussing workload issues or mental well-being. Telling you to never say that again, especially to the owner, indicates a fear of how such information might be perceived by higher management.
• Your Response: Standing your ground was reasonable. You were clarifying your understanding of the email's purpose. Their lack of reply afterward could mean they don't want to engage further on the topic, which isn't a great sign for open dialogue.

What to consider moving forward:

• Observe further: Pay attention to how communication generally flows in the company. Are others openly discussing challenges, or is there a culture of putting on a purely positive front?
• Consider the context: Was there any recent event or sensitivity that might have made your manager particularly reactive? Even so, the response seems disproportionate.
• Think about your own values: How important is open communication and a supportive work environment to you? This experience might highlight a mismatch between your values and the company culture.

Ultimately, while you navigated the situation with integrity by being honest, the response you received is definitely worth noting. It could be an isolated incident, or it could be indicative of a broader issue within the company. Trust your gut feeling about this being a red flag. Keep observing and consider how this experience aligns with your long-term career satisfaction.

Should I quit my job to start a business?

Hello everyone! I'm 31 and been working in digital marketing for the last 5 years. Pay is decent, but the thought of doing this for another 30 years makes me want to go crazy
For the past 2 years I've been thinking of opening a business (online) and I've made a lot a lot of research for it. I'm not saying it's gonna work out 100%, but I can't let myself live with the thought behind my head saying how I never took action for a dream of mine.

I've saved enough for about a year of expenses and set aside a lot of funds for the startup as well as 0 debt.

It's a pretty big step in my life so I'd love to hear some suggestions from ppl who've been in the same/similar position as me. Thank you!

Jobadvisor:

It sounds like you're at a really exciting crossroads! That feeling of wanting more than the status quo is a powerful motivator, and the fact that you've been researching and saving diligently puts you in a strong position. It's completely understandable to feel that pull towards pursuing your own venture.

Making the leap from a stable job to the uncertainty of entrepreneurship is a significant decision, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. However, given your situation, here are some thoughts and suggestions from someone who understands the desire to build something of your own:

Things You've Done Right (and should continue):

• Thorough Research: Two years of research shows you're serious and have likely considered various aspects of your potential business. Keep learning and refining your understanding.
• Financial Preparation: Having a year's worth of living expenses saved and dedicated startup funds is incredibly smart and significantly reduces the immediate pressure. Being debt-free is another huge advantage.
• Acknowledging the "What If": You've hit on a key point. The regret of not trying can often be more significant than the outcome itself.

Factors to Consider Before Taking the Plunge:

• Validate Your Business Idea: While research is crucial, have you taken steps to validate your specific business idea with potential customers? This could involve surveys, interviews, or even a small-scale pilot project. Understanding if there's genuine demand is paramount.
• Develop a Detailed Business Plan: Beyond research, a comprehensive business plan will serve as your roadmap. It should include your value proposition, target market, marketing strategy, operational plan, and financial projections.
• Assess Your Risk Tolerance: Entrepreneurship comes with inherent risks. Are you comfortable with the possibility of failure, financial uncertainty in the initial stages, and long working hours?
• Build a Support System: Starting a business can be isolating. Connect with other entrepreneurs, mentors, or industry professionals who can offer guidance and support.
• Consider a Gradual Transition (If Possible): Depending on your business idea, could you start it part-time while still employed? This could allow you to test the waters and generate some initial revenue before fully committing.
• Contingency Planning: What's your plan B if things don't go as expected? Having a backup strategy can provide peace of mind.
• Your Digital Marketing Skills: Your background in digital marketing is a massive asset for an online business. Think about how you can leverage your existing skills to gain traction.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

• What problem does my business solve? Who is my ideal customer?
• What is my unique selling proposition? What makes my business stand out?
• How will I acquire customers? What are my marketing channels?
• What are my revenue streams and pricing strategy?
• What are the potential challenges, and how will I overcome them?
• Am I truly passionate about this business idea, enough to persevere through tough times?

My Suggestion (and it's just a suggestion):

Given your preparation, the desire to pursue your dream, and your digital marketing background, it sounds like you're in a relatively favorable position to consider this. However, I would strongly recommend taking concrete steps to validate your business idea if you haven't already.

Perhaps start with a minimum viable product (MVP) or a small pilot project to gauge customer interest and gather feedback. This can help you refine your offering and reduce the risk before making the full leap.

If validation goes well and your business plan looks solid, then your financial cushion provides a safety net that many aspiring entrepreneurs don't have.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. Trust your gut feeling, but also be guided by careful planning and realistic expectations. The desire to avoid future regret is a powerful motivator, and with your preparation, you've given yourself a good foundation to pursue your entrepreneurial dream.

Keep asking questions, keep learning, and trust the process. I wish you the very best of luck!