Are You From a Dysfunctional Family?

One of my favorite cartoon images (Far Side, I think) shows five or six people standing in a large, empty hotel ballroom, drinks in their hands, under the banner “APFF: The Association of People with Functional Families.” It speaks volumes — especially in the “family” of the workplace.

Are you from a dysfunctional family? Sure. Who isn’t? The question is, is the family so dysfunctional that you need to leave?

Don’t worry. We’re not going to get into an analysis of group dynamics, here. But before you opt for a “divorce,” you need to think “Can I make this better for me right here?”

How is this a career move? Like in fundraising where it’s much easier to get a gift from an existing donor than to find a new one, most times it’s much easier to fix your current situation than to get out entirely and try to find a new job. At least it’s worth looking at.

So before you look to take out your APFF membership and leave to join a “family” that looks perfectly functional, ask yourself, “Can I get at least more functional here?”