An Open Letter to Low Performers

Dear Low Performers,

I am grateful to you. For real. You exemplify everything that I am not and everything that I never want to be. Working with you makes me appreciate high performers that much more.

Here is what I know about you:

1. Your work is adequate at best.
2. You blame your bosses and co-workers for your mistakes – which you make often.
3. You blame your bosses and co-workers for your low self-esteem – which you struggled with before they even met you.
4. You blame others for your problems – even problems that you created and have had for many years.
5. You claim that you are afraid to speak up when you are unhappy about something at work, but you are not afraid to badmouth your bosses and co-workers.
6. You claim that you do not have a voice, but you often say “I have nothing to add” or “I agree with her” when asked your opinion.
7. You rarely have original thoughts and ideas.
8. You lie and deceive.
9. You play the victim.
10. You stir the pot.
11. You manipulate those who also have low self-esteem.
12. You seek allies, who want to help you because you are perceived as “nice” and “sweet.” They have no idea about the “real” you. However, your bosses know who and what you are.
13. You do not like working for women – even if you are a woman yourself.
14. You claim to be progressive and inclusive. You just do not want to work for “one of them” – especially Black women.

High performers do not like working with people like you. You are the weak link in the chain, and they know it. The question is: Do you know it? No one wants to hitch their wagon to a low performer.

When you know better, you do better. IF you have the capacity to do better, I hope that you do.

In the meantime, do us all a favor and resign. Start your own business or work for an organization that embraces low-performing behavior. You will then get a taste of the real world and MAYBE realize how misguided you were as a low performer on someone else’s payroll.

#ByeFelicia