If there’s one thing I’ve learned about working at Hertz, it’s that it can feel like one big popularity contest.
You can work hard, consistently get results, and prove that you’re good at your job, but none of that seems to matter as much as being liked by the right people. There are people who basically work from home even though that’s not technically their job, barely seem to do much of anything, and somehow nobody cares because they’re well liked.
I guess birds of a feather really do flock together. When you have leaders who spend more time barking orders than actually doing the work themselves, of course they’re going to appreciate people who operate the same way. Why would poor work ethic bother you when you’re looking at a reflection of yourself?
And then you have the “business trips.” Put the right group of people together, add some drinks after the meetings, and suddenly everyone is gossiping about people who aren’t even there. The craziest part is watching someone in leadership change their entire opinion of another employee based on what one of their buddies has to say about them. Never mind that person’s actual results or what they contribute. Apparently, a few drinks and the right person whispering in your ear can carry more weight than the work someone actually does.
Meanwhile, the people who show up, do the work, produce results, and hold themselves accountable are expected to just keep doing it.
So if you’re looking for longevity or advancement at Hertz, here’s the lesson: being good at your job only gets you so far. Better make sure your butt-kissing skills are on point too, because being popular with the right people seems to matter a whole lot more than actually being effective.