The fact that he’s been dead for a hundred and twenty-seven years notwithstanding, Darwin is alive and well. We’ve discussed the benefits of introducing and participating in corporate wellness programs before, but are there any hidden downsides?
Other than having to actually follow a fitness routine and eat your vegetables, I mean.
It’s unlikely that you’ll end up in Dilbert or Asok’s position, but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that being healthier will afford better opportunities and more stability at the workplace. A stellar attendance record certainly isn’t a mark against someone angling for a promotion (or a raid slot).
For one thing, if your company has a fitness center, it’s a great chance to do some networking that doesn’t involve TCP/IP, resetting someone’s password (again), or even making awkward smalltalk over hors d’ ouevres while wearing nice dinner clothes. Almost by definition, you’ve got something in common with everyone else there beyond the person (or computer) who signs your paycheck — you’re both into fitness to one degree or another. Making a workout buddy is a great way to stay (or get) motivated. You might be surprised at the cross-section of your Org Chart that you’ll find there, and some of those folks might be fairly high up the food chain.
After you’ve been doing the fitness thing for a while, don’t be surprised if folks start coming to you for suggestions or advice. Even if you’re not normally in a position of much formal influence, this can still permeate your work relationships in a positive manner. You’re apt to feel confidence that might not have been there before, and folks will recognize your expertise, competence, and willingness to share knowledge, even if it’s not specifically related to your position. This has certainly happened a fair bit where Mike and I work (and was part of the impetus for ShrinkGeek’s inception), and it’s definitely nice to be recognized for something other than a deft mousing technique or a spiffy red Swingline.
It’s less tangible, and not any sort of guarantee of success, but simply being healthier might tip the balance in your favor in a close hiring or promotion decision. It’s one of those things where people just seem to respond more positively to certain traits, consciously or not; we might as well make it work in our favor, right?
And, even if none of that comes to pass, when an uppity intern does try to knock you off, you’ll totally be able to take them down.
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