The LMX theory focuses on the relationships between leaders and followers. Followers are either part of the in group (those who go above and beyond formal job duties, developing a trusting friendship with the leader) or the out group (those who do exactly as required in the job description and receive formal accolades for doing so). Throughout my working career, I have found that I have been a part of both groups, sometimes simultaneously.
I believe that personality plays a huge part of which group you ultimately end up in. There is no doubt that I am an extrovert. Growing up the seventh of eight kids, I learned quickly to be outspoken, boisterous, and independent. I knew if I didn’t ask for what I wanted, I wasn’t going to get it. There are very few times when I keep my mouth shut if I disagree with something. I am pretty blunt and tell it like it is. Many times, I forget to consider the feelings of others because I learned if I didn’t speak up and say what I thought growing up, my voice was going to get lost amongst my siblings. While this has gotten me a lot of things in my career, it has also helped make me unpopular amongst some coworkers. Having this kind of personality has both helped and hindered me.
While I have typically always been a part of the in group, I have not always been the most liked person. I do more than is required, but not because I am trying to get points with my boss; this has just always been something I have done. I hate failure and take it personally if I finish any less than I expect of myself. I expect a lot of my coworkers and I know I write off those who only do the minimum to get by. One could say I am an overachiever . . . and I make my team become overachievers, too. I weed out those who do not like to work and keep those who have proven themselves to me.
Because of my personal drive, I have always been well-liked by my bosses. They know they can depend on me to get any job done. I do more than is required of me with most projects and am always willing to take on extra responsibility. While I am in the in group with my leaders, I am almost always in the out group with coworkers. I cannot say I am necessarily disliked; instead, I am looked upon as a brown-noser or a suck-up. Quite frankly, I’m okay with this. Having the personality I have has gotten me to where I am now. I am the first female in my company to hold this position. I have been told many times by my field crew that they prefer working for me over any other project manager because I am willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done. I will go out on the range with my guys and dig trenches, set up targets, or anything else they will do if it means we will be successful. My guys approving of my work ethic and appreciating my hard work is the most important thing to me.
It is nice to be a part of the in group, but it isn’t something I strive to do; this usually occurs naturally. I have had to learn over the years that it is the opinion of my team and my bosses that matters most to me; any other opinion is simply white noise. While I may not be the most popular person amongst my coworkers, I do know that I am a trusted employee who can be counted on to get the job done. And quite frankly, that’s more important to me than winning a popularity contest.