NOTE: This is a (mostly) untested theory, and as such is very rudimentary. You’re welcome to offer your own observations and suggestions, because I think that this could be the psychological/sociological/zoological find of the week. At least.
So I have this theory about work and how it ties in to your romantic life. And it’s not that the job application and work process are like dating, because we all know that theory is totally true. This one is a bit different:
How you act in a romantic relationship (and the type of relationship that you are in) reflects how you are as a worker.
Consider the jobs of teenagers. Usually a bit uncomfortable, often unsure of their full responsibilities and duties (at least at first), and mostly set at a beginner’s level. Similarly, most teens are trying to understand the intricacies of romantic entanglements and are developing from a position of little or no knowledge to one where they at least have a rudimentary understanding of how things work.
Similarly, college and younger post-grad students will take on a myriad of jobs and relationships as they discover what they are really looking for, personally and professionally.
However, when a good career and relationship are discovered, one may settle into their new role comfortably with the knowledge that they have found what they are looking for.
But it goes beyond an age and dating history distribution.
A single person in the workplace often has polarizing work performance. While prone to strong bursts of productivity and lulls of distraction and inactivity, single employees may use work as a substitute for romantic relationships. This in turn can develop into workaholism (which, despite my spell checker, should be a word, since you can be a workaholic) and a larger dependence on having career-related distractions. Single employees may also flit to and from different positions and companies, not wanting to remain with one job title at one place too long. That’s right – a fear of commitment can impact your career choices.
Meanwhile, those in relationships can develop tendencies to stay on with a company or position past the point when they should. Though they may have more stable work tendencies than those who are single, there can be a greater hesitation to take risks. However, those in relationships also will want to push themselves upward in an organization with promotions and raises more rapidly than those who are not; the desire to provide for one’s partner and mature are key influences on this change.
Additionally, those who are single may have a tendency to be less risk-averse than their coupled counterparts. Whether it’s undertaking a new responsibility, making a radical career change or going the entrepreneurial route, a single person will not have concerns about how their actions will impact their partner or family. The lack of a significant other that would make them rethink their actions and remain more conservative in choice making allows them to expand their horizons with less guilt.
Relationship roles can create a dynamic reversal in one’s workplace personality. If someone is feeling more put-upon by their partner and becomes more submissive in the relationship, they may become more boisterous and dominant at work. As such, there is a trickle-down effect that comes from unhappiness with one’s partner that can affect an entire organization. Using a football structure, here’s how the Chain of Screaming (as referred to by one of the best shows ever) develops from the top down to create discord:
As such, a depressing or angry relationship can create a depressing or angry business.
No matter how we try to deny it, the different aspects of our lives are all linked together. Regardless of if we label them professional or personal, they all have an effect on each other. So what does your relationship say about your work habits?
