> I'm sorry but I'd argue that I cared more when I was younger (mostly because I was stupid). I've spent entire days in someone else's cubicle (not so much pair programming as me standing guard against distractions such as business analysts and quality assurance who apparently kept popping in) making sure they finish their part of work.
I think this is one of the main points. Some managers literally abuse the commitment a good worker has toward the company - for any possible reason: first job, belief in career advancement (within the same company), pure love for work (workaholic), etc. However, once you change a couple of companies, and once you see what managers really value, you start to wonder: what am I doing here? who am I kidding here? Your priorities start to shift toward something that becomes more important for you (family, kids, your own person, friends, and so on). My 2 cents. I might be completely wrong, so ignore me :)
In general, I feel that the "proactive" or "reactive" mindset is not always the main reason of such issues occurring at work. Sometimes the environment is so literally fucked up, that you can't do anything, even if you are super proactive. Really, nothing, even when you try to find yourself a task, something to do; and this will kill you inside, until you change job. I believe that good managers make you productive, even when you "literally" work 50% of the time. After all, that's what they are also paid for, isn't it?
I also want to believe that a good manager doesn't let that happen (that you work like hell), for the simple reason he is aware of the consequences.
However, I find it's hard to generalize, it always depends on the case/company/team/person.
I think this is one of the main points. Some managers literally abuse the commitment a good worker has toward the company - for any possible reason: first job, belief in career advancement (within the same company), pure love for work (workaholic), etc. However, once you change a couple of companies, and once you see what managers really value, you start to wonder: what am I doing here? who am I kidding here? Your priorities start to shift toward something that becomes more important for you (family, kids, your own person, friends, and so on). My 2 cents. I might be completely wrong, so ignore me :)
In general, I feel that the "proactive" or "reactive" mindset is not always the main reason of such issues occurring at work. Sometimes the environment is so literally fucked up, that you can't do anything, even if you are super proactive. Really, nothing, even when you try to find yourself a task, something to do; and this will kill you inside, until you change job. I believe that good managers make you productive, even when you "literally" work 50% of the time. After all, that's what they are also paid for, isn't it?
I also want to believe that a good manager doesn't let that happen (that you work like hell), for the simple reason he is aware of the consequences.
However, I find it's hard to generalize, it always depends on the case/company/team/person.