ATTENTION SEEKERS IN A WORK-STATION: They spell no Magic!!

Oliver Goldsmith should be reborn to rewrite the character of “Beau Tibbs” – a fascinating attention-seeker – his attire, his body language, his idiosyncrasies, his populist initiatives, his aggressive relationship building and not last of all, his assumed authority. He might find innumerable new ideas in the instant professional environment. A child crying aloud, a boy or a girl behaving in a whimsical manner outside a mall, a student enjoying a mischief in a classroom where he has no interest, an adolescent changing the colour and style of his hair oftentimes – are but a few examples of natural attention seekers in a functional environment.

Attention seeking is a normal human instinct and hence is not functional disorder. But an overdose of it in a given environment, the madness in methods, the liberal communication of attention and the context in which it is exhibited and sometimes the objectives for which it is articulated are indicators of the inner intent of the individual and makes others wonder whether it is right or wrong. Well,  while the judgment of this syndrome is not warranted by any external source, it does become a point of observation, comment or debate.

“Shyam” said his boss “I do understand that you have done some excellent work. You have done some out of box thinking too. But you have failed to bring it to the notice of the team from time to time.” Shyam was looking down and was not facing the boss.

“Peter” said his manager “Many thunder clouds make a lot of sound and fury. But they don’t bring the rain. So, has been your work.  You have spoken so much about what you have been doing, but critically examined, it is just nothing. There is too less of productive work.” Manager was not keen to allow Peter to talk any further despite his aggressive effort to make a point.

In a workstation, attention seekers have several manifestations of their profile. Many reasons could be attributed to them – and a few are: their low self-esteem, their urge for better recognition, sometimes a bit of self-pity, their divisive and deviant action to hide their inferior performance and skills, sometimes a foolish belief that this would add value to their competencies and on a few occasions a display of self-assumed authority.

Let us see a few strategies adopted by some attention seekers in work station:

1.The attire

RVS was working in a profession where everyone was coming in a normal formal attire. But he used to come to the office on most days in his suit, sometimes with fashioned outfits, with colours which would attract everyone’s attention and with dress most unsuitable for that weather. Everyone wondered why he was seeking the attention of his colleagues that way. Though he was not adequately rich to afford them, he fashioned to do so. Even when he was questioned by his colleagues, he replied: “This is me. I don’t compromise. Remember, God makes men. Tailors make gentlemen and I am…” He would laugh and walk away.

2. Communication

Sakaar was working as a mid-level official in a private organization. He was simple. But he didn’t have any professional qualification and was only a low-achiever in the school but obtained a degree through correspondence. His colleagues often avoided talking to him. “If I were to advise Napoleon during the British-French war, he would have certainly have listened to me.” His friends were scoffing at him on his back. “The structural defects in Pisa Tower are only very minor to mention.” His colleagues knew that he was neither an engineer nor has he visited Pisa Tower.”  Imagine, when Saakar took an elderly member of the family to a doctor and made a comment to the doctor “He has some geriatric problem”, the doctor was annoyed and blew up saying “what do you know about geriatrics? Don’t use the terms in wrong contexts.”

3. interventions in conversation

Mike had an interesting habit of intervening into a conversation of others even if he is not a party. “I could understand your problem and help you out” he said once in an official dispute though it did not relate either to him or his arena of work. “Thank you, Mike. We will celebrate your wisdom when required.” John remarked. Intervening into discussions or during a conversation or in a meeting, some feel, makes them important and everyone notices them. Such attention seekers are often ignored, sidelined or marginalized by others. These are considered as strong indications of impolite behaviour.

4. Offering Blind resistance

Some attention seekers have the habit of offering blind resistance to any topic of discussion. They highlight all the challenges and negative outcomes the point of discussion could lead to. Even if they know these challenges can be handled with ease, offering a blind resistance does bring joy to them as they want to show themselves as champions of a cause. Some seek attention through display of self-pity. Celebrating sickliness, shedding tears, or frequent comments about the emotional pain they have incurred, they tend to draw others attention. While these are acknowledged in a professional environment, it doesn’t have a long life in professional considerations.

5. Recalling the past glory

Many people have the habit of recalling their past glory – their high qualifications, their visit to a foreign land, their association with a public figure and the laurels and wisdom they bring because of them. Smith, while delivering the talk after his visit to a foreign land, said “As such the Japanese were quite impressed with my work and wanted to learn how I do such things.” There was an invisible smile that flashed in everyone’s face. They had reason to expect more from Smith.

Attention- seekers often exhibit a sense of insecurity about themselves. They want a positive reinforcement from the organizational environment in which they work.  “Boss, you are very much aware of arduous work I have done.” The boss smiled and nodded. “I am sure you will keep it in mind when you do the half-yearly review.” The boss smiled without offering a reply. “You are my only hope, boss” Victor almost played a victim’s tune!

Attention can be sought with a positive or a negative intent. Resistance to work, Creating an environment for forced sympathy manipulating the pain of others to organize a support system for their own incompetence,   engaging into delaying tactics or strikes are some forms of attention seeking.

Sometimes attention seekers do so to ‘brand’ themselves. They are recognized by their body language, mannerisms, tantrums and outbursts of emotions.

In a typical professional environment, attention- seeking is not an insurance premium for recognition, growth and development. It does not in any way help to achieve or celebrate one’s performance, success, nor is it a gateway to ‘effective branding’.

In most professional environments, it is performance that speaks LOUDER!