Feeling Unappreciated at Work?

Feeling undervalued at work can be uncomfortable and disheartening. Many experience it at some point in their careers and may feel underappreciated. This can make us feel frustrated and demotivated, affecting our job satisfaction and performance.

They say we spend a third of our lives at work. Thus, we can at least expect our job to be satisfactory, at least from a professional point of view. Nor is it necessary for your boss to spend the whole day praising your work and showering you with compliments.

That would be weird. Nor does it mean that you can do the bare minimum and be recognized. We have to earn our paycheck. But of course, it’s essential to get the credit we deserve.

Let’s Put It In Context

A new team member with a master’s degree starts working on a significant research project. So far, so good: good salary, good conditions, and good leaders.

The problem becomes more emotional when he realizes he is the only magister on the research team. He has been assigned exclusive work, which is part of the research. However, he feels undervalued because he does not have a Ph.D. like the other research team members.

This person is aware of their qualities and skills. He also has the technical and practical knowledge and intelligence to perform complex tasks.

However, the doctors perform essential functions of the research without the possibility of including him. He even mentioned that he was accepted into the study because of his great work in previous research.

Currently, the researcher with a master’s degree is dedicated to the theoretical part of the research, while the researchers with a Ph.D. are working on the practical part of the project. They are not allowing the new member to participate, knowing he is qualified.

This annoys the new team member a lot, and slowly, he starts to feel undervalued and not respected by his bosses or colleagues. He does not feel valued at work, which impacts his emotional well-being and professional growth.

Signs You’re Not Being Valued

Recognizing the signs that you’re not being valued at work is the first step toward addressing the issue. Here are some common indicators:

1. Lack of Autonomy: If you feel micromanaged or not trusted to make decisions, it’s a clear sign that your employer doesn’t value your judgment or skills. This can be incredibly frustrating and can stifle your creativity and job satisfaction.
   
2. Limited Opportunities for Growth: When you’re not being offered training, promotions, or new challenges, it may indicate that your employer doesn’t see your potential. This lack of professional development can make you feel stuck and undervalued.
   
3. Poor Communication: Being left out of important meetings, not receiving feedback, or being ignored in discussions can make you feel overlooked and undervalued. Effective communication is crucial for a healthy work environment.
   
4. Unrealistic Expectations: Being given an excessive workload, unrealistic deadlines, or unclear expectations can lead to feelings of being undervalued. A manageable workload and clear goals are essential to feel appreciated and productive.
   
5. Lack of Recognition: Not receiving recognition for your achievements, contributions, or hard work can make you feel unappreciated. Everyone needs acknowledgment to feel motivated and valued.
   
6. Unsupportive Work Environment: A toxic work environment, lack of resources, or inadequate support can make you feel undervalued. A positive work environment is essential for your well-being and job satisfaction.
   
7. Limited Flexibility: Not being allowed to work remotely, having inflexible hours, or being denied time off can make you feel undervalued. Flexibility is a critical component of a supportive work environment.
   
8. Unclear Expectations: Not having clear goals, objectives, or expectations can lead to feeling undervalued. Clear communication about your role and responsibilities is crucial for feeling valued.
   
9. Lack of Feedback: Not receiving regular feedback, constructive criticism, or coaching can make you feel undervalued. Feedback is essential for professional growth and feeling appreciated.
   
10. Feeling Overworked: Being overworked, undervalued, and underpaid can lead to burnout and decreased job satisfaction. Having a balanced workload is essential to maintain your well-being and job satisfaction.

What Would You Do In Their Place?

Would you put up with it because the most important thing is the salary, keep quiet, and try to prove your worth indirectly? You might even consider changing jobs. Or would you talk to your leader or boss so that, little by little, it allows you to be involved in more intellectual tasks?

You’re not looking to lead research but don’t need a Ph.D. to do some of their current activities. You may be excluded from specific job opportunities. Maybe you’re not getting your place in some project for which you think you have the skills. It’s possible you’re mistaken and don’t have the skills, but you’ve put a lot of effort into it and are confident.

If you feel this way, you are probably feeling unappreciated at work.

What To Do If You Feel Undervalued?

It is straightforward (although it seems very easy to say): We only have to value what we have, and that cannot be bought, such as our emotional environment, family, people who love us and respect us, etc.

We must be aware that, for whatever reason, we will encounter people who try to make us feel undervalued. We cannot forget that feeling unappreciated can seriously damage self-esteem, so we must avoid suffering from this feeling.

I believe that everyone has gone through or will go through this episode at some point in their lives, and this article is intended to clarify the ideas before such a question (what to do if we feel undervalued) and how to respond to situations that make us feel this way.

We all have personalities and might be appreciated for our efforts. If you think no one notices what you are doing, you can change the situation. There are many ways to ensure people perceive and see what you do.

How To Highlight Your Accomplishments Without Bragging  

Who should I talk to if I feel undervalued? And if the situation doesn’t change, how long should I stay in that position? The questions you ask yourself in these situations often tell you how much the feeling affects you personally. However, there are many ways to ensure people understand and see what you do. The key is to find diplomatic ways to show your work.

Feeling underappreciated at work can result in low motivation, nerve-racking, and general discomfort. It’s necessary not to go to extremes that endanger our health. Therefore, remember the following: Talk to your bosses, human resources, or management. Explain the problem and how you feel undervalued (salary, goals achieved, and few opportunities for promotion or job improvement…).

If you continue in that job, don’t lower your performance. That way, your productivity will continue to be strengthened, and your self-image will continue to be appropriate.

Even if you don’t receive reinforcement or motivation at work, try to boost your self-esteem with goals that you set for yourself. Beyond the context that surrounds you, do not stop valuing yourself and your skills.

Feeling Truly Appreciated Lifts People Up

If they don’t appreciate your potential in that work setting, they can do so elsewhere if you decide to leave that position. Feeling appreciated lifts people at the most basic level; it makes us feel safe, which frees us to do our best work. It’s also energizing.

When our value feels at risk, as it often does, that worry becomes preoccupying, draining, and diverting our energy from creating value. The problem is that many employees don’t feel appreciated by their employers in today’s corporate culture. As a result, motivation and productivity can decrease. 

This creates a dangerous cycle where a lack of appreciation leads to a lack of work and friction in the workplace. Not only does a lack of appreciation affect production, but it also causes physical harm in the form of stress and anxiety. When you don’t feel appreciated, give yourself a “personal litmus test” about your recent accomplishments. 

Ask yourself, “Was my work the best? was it above and beyond what my team usually does?” And, more importantly, “If I had to ask for acknowledgment for it, would I sound dumb?” If you’re unsure, get a second opinion from a “more experienced coworker” or a peer you respect and get feedback from them. 

How Negativity Affects Us

What if it’s negative feedback? How does negativity affect us? It would be best to look at the concept of negativity bias.

This bias, intrinsically built into the human brain, says negative experiences are easier to remember and perceive than positive ones. Negative stimuli cause the brain’s alarm bells, while positive stimuli cause temporary satisfaction.

Your brain’s alarm bell – the amygdala (you have two of these little almond-shaped regions, one on each side of your head) – uses about two-thirds of its neurons to look for the bad news: it’s inclined to go negative.

Once the alarm advises, adverse events and experiences are quickly stored in memory. In contrast, positive events and experiences must be held in awareness for a dozen seconds to transfer from short-term memory buffers to long-term storage.

It’s easy to see why so many people struggle to motivate themselves when not feeling valued at work fulfills the need to feel appreciated with your innate inclination toward negativity bias.

Focus On Small Victories

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go our way. There are no available electric outlets, the printer jams, or there is no coffee or bad coffee. Our boss congratulates someone for something you did, making you feel unappreciated at work.

On days like this, it can help you look for small wins. For example, if you need to start a big presentation but can’t move forward, instead of staring at a blank presentation deck for thirty minutes, put the project aside and find something to do “bite-sized.”

When you look for small victories, you force your brain to stop focusing on negative stimuli instead of positive ones. This counteracts the negativity bias and helps you become aware of the positive things around you.

What Is Extrinsic Motivation?

This type of motivation occurs when external rewards drive someone to perform certain tasks and learn new skills, especially when feeling unappreciated. Intrinsic motivation can provide a long-term impetus to do things.

For example, these reasons may allow people to do the same job with pleasure for several years or to help peers without expecting anything in return. There are several ways to boost this type of motivation at work:

From The Managers’ Point Of View:

They can promote intrinsic motivation with empowering and enriching feedback. Open communication is also crucial for the team to understand what is expected of them and address feelings of not feeling valued at work. This will avoid misunderstandings and frustration and raise engagement and productivity.

From The Point Of View Of The Employees:

Expressing feelings and reasons for dissatisfaction, especially when feeling unappreciated at work, is essential. Likewise, letting people know the most enjoyable activities will help managers assign tasks.

What Is Intrinsic Motivation?

Whoever acts under this type of motivation does not seem to have any apparent external reward. That means there is no incentive or pressure from anyone else. However, feeling unappreciated can diminish intrinsic motivation, as the reasons come from inside because they find what they must do enjoyable or exciting.

Sometimes, it is necessary to install extrinsic factors to get better results. Especially when you need to speed up productivity, work overtime, or assign an unpleasant task, for example, with prizes, commissions, and bonuses.

From The Manager’s Point Of View:

It’s important to offer rewards strategically. When employees do not feel valued at work, this type of motivation drives people to take on new challenges or do better. However, you also need to give your team the resources they need to develop projects and skills they are passionate about.

From The Collaborator’s Point Of View:

It is good to engage in projects that offer an external benefit, but these should not exceed those activities that are done for personal satisfaction. Feeling unappreciated at work can lead to isolation and disconnection, making it essential to balance the time by dividing a few hours into developing hobbies and projects that are challenging on an individual level.

Discovering And Fostering Self-confidence

There are many ways to foster motivation despite your job’s overwhelming lack of appreciation. The key is to promote self-confidence, even when feeling unappreciated and no one else gives you the encouragement you crave.

It’s also important to contribute to building a work culture that prioritizes appreciation. Even if you’re not in a management or leadership role, you can do little things to make people feel valued.

Go out of your way to say something nice about one coworker. It could be simple, like, “I think you did a good job on that presentation. You should be proud.”

People like to feel needed. When you ask someone for help, explain that you sought them out specifically because you know they’re good at creative design (or, in any case).

If you’re working on a big project with a team of people, consider bringing coffee, snacks, or lunch one day. A physical token of gratitude for the hard work will lead to an instant boost in motivation.

Pay attention to detail. If you ask someone to send you information about a client and they do so immediately after returning to your office, thank them for their prompt response.

By making your coworkers feel appreciated in small ways, you can help create a new culture. You’ll be aware that those acts of appreciation turn into something contagious. Before you realize it, a whole new culture will emerge, with motivation and happiness.

We can sometimes think, “I feel undervalued by others.“ When this happens, we must explore ourselves first. We can’t expect from others what we don’t give to ourselves.

Sometimes, we don’t realize what we have in our skills and the world around us. Trying to appreciate who we are and what we have achieved in our lives may be a big step to overcoming a feeling of undervaluation.

When people feel undervalued, they cannot appreciate what others do for them. In these cases, it can be beneficial for both you and those around you to try to be more grateful for the gestures that others do for you. The key is to see all that you have, both in you and around you, and that makes you feel comfortable expressing it outwardly.

Thus, if our self-esteem and personal appreciation are covered and there is a problem of contempt, we must solve it. Living a long time with that feeling stuck inside us is not advisable because it wears down, hurts, and damages us.

Let’s solve these situations with assertiveness and request what every person deserves and needs: respect and appreciation.

Next Steps

If you’re feeling undervalued at work, it’s important to take proactive steps to address the issue. Here are some next steps to consider:

1. Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your feelings, values, and goals. Ask yourself if the issue is with your job or with you. Understanding the root cause of your feelings can help you take the right steps to address them.
   
2. Communicate with Your Employer: Schedule a meeting with your supervisor or HR representative to discuss your concerns and feelings. Open communication can help address issues and improve your work environment.
   
3. Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from colleagues, mentors, or a career coach to gain a different perspective. Constructive feedback can help you understand how others perceive your work and identify areas for improvement.
   
4. Explore Options: Consider looking for a new job, industry, or career path that aligns with your values, skills, and interests. Sometimes, a change of environment can significantly improve how valued you feel.
   
5. Prioritize Self-Care: Focus on your well-being, self-esteem, and mental health. Engage in activities that make you feel valued and appreciated. Taking care of yourself is crucial for maintaining a positive outlook.
   
6. Develop New Skills: Invest in your professional development by taking courses, attending workshops, or pursuing certifications. Enhancing your skills can boost your confidence and make you more valuable in the job market.
   
7. Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who support, encourage, and value you. A strong support network can provide the encouragement and validation you need.
   
8. Re-Evaluate Your Job: Consider whether your job is a good fit for you. Ask yourself if you feel valued, appreciated, and fulfilled. If not, it might be time to look for a new opportunity that better aligns with your needs.
   
9. Create a Plan: Develop a plan to address the issues, whether it’s finding a new job or working with your employer to improve your work environment. Having a clear plan can help you take actionable steps towards a more fulfilling career.
   
10. Take Action: Take proactive steps to address the issues and create a more fulfilling and prosperous life. Whether it’s improving your current situation or finding a new job, taking action is key to feeling valued and appreciated.

By recognizing the signs of being undervalued and taking proactive steps to address them, you can improve your job satisfaction and overall well-being. Remember, you deserve to feel valued and appreciated in your work environment.

See more articles by Carla Fattal.