preview

Jack Lemmon's Fear Of Failure In The Workplace

Good Essays

"Failure seldom stops you. What stops you is the fear of failure."--Jack Lemmon

Jack* was a financial analyst for a large company in Washington, DC. After a few years, the director of his department decided to leave so her position became open. Jack considered applying for the job, but his fear of failure in managing others overwhelmed him. Despite his reservations, he decided to apply and ended up getting the position. Less than a year later he was fired for his failure to manage effectively. He was out of work for three months, which coincided with the birth of his first son. At the end of those three months he got a new job working as a financial analyst for a company he likes much more and that is located only two miles from his home. In the end, Jack realized he was not cut out for management yet but he didn 't regret trying it out. He believes being fired was a blessing in disguise because he was able to spend valuable time with his son and find a new job he enjoys.

A new manager in her early 30s was running a small group of client service representatives to service an institutional clientele at a financial services firm. One of her new employees had become very difficult-she was demanding, acting entitled, was trying to pick and choose her work, and was creating resentment among colleagues. This was the manager 's first challenge in confronting employees whose behavior had become counterproductive. Knowing that she had to speak with the problem employee, but never

Get Access