Graduate Says, “My Boss Calls Me ‘Average Material’. What Should I Do?”

By Elizabeth Benu,

“I have been working for one year in an interior design firm and I swear I work very hard. Recently, my boss told me I am performing averagely at work yet I feel that I have been giving it my all. His comment hurt me because even in school being average never signified anything good. I am worried that I may get fired because I cannot tell what my boss thinks of me at the moment. What should I do to increase my productivity? I cannot afford to make a mistake else I lose my job,” says Andrew Wakendi in an email

At work we all desire to be commended by the boss for a job well done. On the other hand, there is a deep fear of being told you are ordinary and not performing to expectations. Similar to Andrews’s dilemma, many may wonder where they go wrong and how to rectify that.

“When your boss tells you that you have not given your full potential it means that the target you were set to achieve has not been realized. An example of a sales person who has not met sales targets for the month,” says Mr. Paul Oduk, a HR Personnel at Rose Avenue Consultants.

If you are like Andrew, you have probably worked hard and you keep questioning the reasons for not reaching your potential. Mr. Oduk says that family issues could be one of the reasons you are not performing as your boss expects.

“Alternatively, there may be something you are not doing right. Maybe you are not following the right procedure to complete a task or you have ignored some of the rules set by the company. This could cause your low performance,” he adds.

What are characteristics of people who fall in this trap of just being ‘average’ at work? I question

“People in this category give a lot of excuses concerning their work and they are also not focused. As a result of this, their performance goes down,” confirms Mr. Oduk.

He also adds that people in the average position are in a job for the money.

“If you have a passion for the job you are doing, you will go an extra mile and give it your best. If you are doing it for the money or you do not like the job then you will not reach your full potential,” states Mr. Oduk

I am quick to ask what an employee should do when their boss lets them know that they are not giving their full potential at work. Mr. Oduk says that sitting down with your boss and discussing the areas that may be causing the problems is the best way to go.

“Your boss will help you. If your boss observes that your performance is average there must be something you are doing wrong. Open up to your boss or immediate supervisor and discuss any issues, be it family or workplace issues, that may be hindering your performance and work a way out,” he advices.

Silence and fear will not help you realize your full potential. Be bold enough to seek assistance from your boss.

That said, what would you do if your boss called you ‘average’?

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