Taking the Peyton Manning, Richard Sherman or Tim Tebow Approach in Business

At some point in our professional career we have all been faced with the choice of being Silent Assassin (Peyton Manning) or being the vocal leader (Richard Sherman).

Peyton Manning Approach

Many of us take this Silent Assassin approach aka Let my work speak for itself and keep my head low and stay out of trouble. 

The big question is.. How has that worked out for you?

I've seen it work out great for some people especially in circumstances where their performance is based on their performance i.e. sales positions. Where I have seen this approach fail is when you are "Salary" and you performance is evaluated based on when and how you get you the work done. 

Audibles will frequently get called when you are a "Salary" employee as additional work will be given to you and you will be forced to swallow your pride and give it 100% and hope your hard work on these new projects/assignments will entail a Raise or additional income.

Much like in Football, a starting Quarterback makes much more than a back up Quarterback as the Starting Quarterback takes on a lot more work and responsibility i.e. A Salary employee who takes on additional work and performs well. 

So why do most companies overlook giving raises to Salary Employees?

They are either:

-Blind to what you are doing

-Ignorant

-You have not expressed the need/desire for additional money (flaw of Manning Approach)

-or in most cases their CHEAP!

So this begs the question, should you then take the Richard Sherman Approach

Richard Sherman Approach

This was me early in my career.. very vocal, emotional but yet very driven and gave everything 110%. I approached every opportunity as a way to not only excel, but a way to demonstrate my value by giving me 2 cents on how it can be improved. 

My very forward approach assisted me to get more money than the average 20 year old, but also along the way I burnt some bridges and pissed some people off in high places as business owners are never very fond of 20 year old critiquing what took them "X" years to build. 

Or as I been told.. the average youngster or even employee is just another "pee on" that is doing the dirty work they no longer want to do.

But in retrospect, The Richard Sherman approach did have its place but its you must recognize be very selective when you decide to really let Erin Andrews know how you feel. 

The Richard Sherman approach can be utilized when it comes time to talk money and the company you're working gives a little bit of push back on giving you a raise even though on paper and numbers can prove that you have either:

-Brought the company more money

-Taken on More Responsibility which is turn did the above

So what if either approach fails... Take the Tim Tebow Approach

Tim Tebow Approach

Recite every verse in the bible and pray roughly 5-6 times a day and hope someone recognizes your work ethic and they pay you accordingly. 

Much like Tim Tebow, you may have to switch teams i.e. Find another job.. or in his case now.. find a new profession in order to be properly compensated.

I personally have taken every approach and most recently took the Peyton Manning approach with a company I've worked for the past 2 years and I am still at square 1 i.e. 4 times the workload and the same pay. I often get frustrated and turn into Richard Sherman/Ray Lewis and it does not achieve much.

Truthfully, if the company does not perceive or recognize your value and you have to consistently remind them what you do, then chances are they have no intentions of compensating you more.

So then what? 

If the company doesn't wake up before your breaking point, then begin the job hunt. There is always a company out there especially in a similar field that is willing to pay you more. 

The job market is brutal but treat yourself as a business.. Does the average business take on more without requesting an increase from their customers?

No way! 

At some point you must stand your ground. 

Hope you enjoyed my football/business analogy