Let’s discuss another office stereotype that you might be familiar with: the mother hen.
Who You Are: You have a constant need to take care of everyone in the office. You have an opinion about everything and you absolutely love it when someone asks your opinion on something. You organize lunches to make sure everyone is fed and bring in baked goods more than anyone else in the office.
Advantages
Stronger Relationships: You give advice freely to anyone who seeks it, which creates great relationships between your and your unofficial mentees. This creates a great support system in the workplace for you because the people you’ve helped are now invested in your success. You’ve made it clear to them that you’re willing to help their goals which will be reciprocated.
Irreplaceable: You tend to the unseen needs in the office and go above-and-beyond your work responsibility to meet those needs. This makes you an invaluable member of your group and therefore irreplaceable. In a recession, what can be more important than being irreplaceable in the workplace?
Disadvantages
Overbearing: Although your advice may be spot-on and much needed, you may be too quick to give advice to someone that isn’t looking for it. Because those who are non-receptive to criticism are usually also proud, it might create a weird tension between yourself and that other person. Your intentions are in the right place, but make sure you’re focusing your efforts on someone who actually wants it.
Amplification of Mistakes: By taking on the role of a mother hen, you’re giving an impression that you have answers to everything. This might pressure you into giving answers even when you’re not so confident about the subject. Unfortunately, if you are wrong in your assessments, your mistakes will be amplified because you’ve already established yourself as the expert in the field through providing advice.
Know-It-All: Because you have an opinion about everything, some might see you as a know-it-all. Remember, there is a fine line between being confident in your knowledge and being self-assured that you know anything and everything. The latter is very unattractive in a coworker.
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-J
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