Convenience is not a free pass, and consideration is not a given

Today at the office, I couldn't help but play the 'angry old man' role. There are some younger colleagues who have recently entered the workforce. They're smart, but sometimes they lack a sense of boundaries. A while ago, I noticed he was having a lot of trouble, so out of consideration, I gave him some flexibility and support, hoping he could adjust slowly. As time went on, this young man gradually started to take this 'special care' as his 'rightful due,' even beginning to cut corners on basic rules. Today, during a break, I called him over and gave him a 'wake-up call, uncle-style.' I told him: 'When I give you convenience and make things easy for you, it's because I want you to feel goodwill and do your job better; it's not for you to take advantage of it or think that everyone owes you something.' 'Tough love' from middle-aged people isn't about coddling kids to keep them happy; it's about stepping in at critical moments to guide them back on track. Gentleness can be given, but boundaries must be strict. The workplace is brutal. If I don't remind you today, the fall you take when you encounter a supervisor or client who isn't as understanding will only hurt more. After the talk, seeing his expression of dawning realization mixed with a bit of embarrassment, I knew he had taken my words to heart. Stopping at the right point, I turned back to my reports. As a supervisor, sometimes playing the bad guy and giving someone a reality check is just a middle-aged uncle's way of showing some care for these young folks!