Navigating the "Wangry" Waters: A Fresh Take on Discontent at Work

Introducing "Wangry," my original term for a phenomenon as old as the corporate ladder itself: the high-achiever's career dissatisfaction. While the word might be new, the sentiment it describes is anything but. It's a unique blend of frustration, simmering resentment, and the distinct feeling that your career salad is missing some key ingredients—perhaps fulfillment or purpose-flavored croutons. This blog dives into the heart of "wangry," armed with scientific insights and a sprinkle of humor, to explore how even the most polished professionals can find themselves simmering in a pot of career discontent.

The Anatomy of "Wangry"

Imagine you're a senior leader or executive. Let's call him Alex. Alex has climbed the proverbial career mountain, collecting titles, accolades, and a LinkedIn profile to die for. Yet, despite the glossy exterior, Alex finds himself wrestling with a gnawing sense of dissatisfaction. He's the poster child for "wangry": well-dressed, well-respected, and quietly stewing in his executive suite.

Alex's story isn't unique. It's a narrative shared by countless high-achievers who find themselves questioning the path they've so diligently trodden. They've reached the summit only to realize they might have climbed the wrong mountain.

“The flight is always better in first-class, until it isn’t.”

— Coach Dave

The Science Behind the Stew

• The Prevalence of Job Dissatisfaction: Over half of American workers feel disconnected from their jobs, according to The Conference Board. For high-achievers like Alex, this disconnection isn't just about the day-to-day grind but a deeper misalignment of values and career goals.

• The Productivity Pitfall: Warwick University's research shows that job dissatisfaction can lead to a 10% dip in productivity. It seems that being "wangry" doesn't just sour your mood; it can also sour your work output.

• The Mental Health Mire: A review in the Journal of Vocational Behavior draws a direct line between career dissatisfaction and mental health struggles, including stress and depression. It turns out, "wangry" isn't just bad for your career; it's bad for your health too.

Spotting the Signs of "Wangry"

How do you know if you're "wangry"? If you're reading this in your office, feeling a mix of amusement and recognition, you might already have your answer. But here are a few tell-tale signs:

• You're Irritable and Resentful: If you find yourself snapping at your assistant over minor typos or daydreaming about telling clients what you really think, "wangry" might be your diagnosis.

• Your Passion Has Left the Building: Remember when you were excited about challenges? If those days seem like a distant memory, and your work now feels as inspiring as a stale ham sandwich, welcome to "wangry" town.

• Exhaustion Is Your Constant Companion: If you're getting enough sleep but still feel drained by mid-morning, it's not just physical tiredness. Emotional exhaustion is a classic symptom of deep-seated career dissatisfaction.

But what about everyone else? 

Sample data set courtesy of CoEfficient.

Let’s reconnect with Alex for a moment, who is currently experiencing the wanger of one, meaning his own discontent. As a senior leader, Alex is also responsible for modeling behavior and reinforcing cultural norms in his organization that - theoretically - foster workplace satisfaction, empowerment and, ideally, mitigate wanger in the lives of junior staff. 

Yet, the data points to a decrease in workplace satisfaction as one moves down the corporate ladder. Take the anonymized sample data from a client of organizational performance measurement platform CoEfficient. Their client’s Culture score is 63 out of 100. You might think for a moment, not bad…if that was an Uber driver’s score, he’d probably still be in good enough standing to keep booking rides. 

Where things get ugly is in the scores of frontline staff and managers. These groups average score doesn’t even break 40 out of 100. I think we need to call this what it is: a simmering discontent that suggests org-level wanger simmering in the southern regions of the org chart. 

And now Alex is responsible not only for addressing his own wanger but that of a team of several - maybe tens, maybe hundreds - of other people experiencing their own wanger. It’s as if wanger has the potential to escalate from an amuse bouche to an all you can eat buffet in the blink of an eye.

Transforming "Wangry" Into Contentment

So, what's the antidote to "wangry"? Here are four strategies to simmer down and find satisfaction:

• Self-Reflection with a Side of Humor: Take a moment to assess what's really eating you (besides your underwhelming lunch). What parts of your job used to spark joy, and what feels off now? Sometimes, acknowledging the absurdity of certain situations can be the first step towards change.

• Boundaries and Self-Care Are Non-Negotiable: Start treating your personal time like the VIP section of a club—no work allowed. Rediscover hobbies that make you happy, preferably ones that don't involve reviewing spreadsheets. 

  And hey, we need to talk about sleep. The lack thereof, actually. If you thought the low score of the lower end of the CoEfficient data above was bad, it actually gets worse. A whopping 81% of the same firm reported negative to very negative sleep quality. Whether you’re a partner, CEO, janitor, or lone-wolf salesperson your sleep affects how you show up. If you’re going to battle the headwinds of wanger, self-care must include positive sleep hygiene. 

Sample data courtesy of CoEfficient.

• Partner with Me for Executive Coaching: If you’re navigating the rough waters of "wangry," consider me, Dave O'Connor, as your compass. Unlike adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, I work with you to uncover and tackle the root causes of your career discontent—be it leadership challenges, feeling stuck, or battling self-doubt. My goal? To enhance your self-awareness and confidence, empowering you to chart a fulfilling path forward. For a more personalized approach to turning "wangry" into contentment, and contentment into authentic and powerful leadership, book a discovery call today.

• For the team: Unlock essential team dialogue and begin shifting mindsets and manners in your team with Dave O’Connor’s small team coaching sessions and group seminars. If you sense your firm is in the murky waters of org-level wanger and you want to experience the powerful insights of CoEfficient, we can make that happen too.

While "wangry" might sound like a funny buzzword, it encapsulates a real and pressing issue for many high-achieving professionals. By recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps to address the underlying issues, you can move from simmering discontent to a fulfilling career that truly satisfies. And remember, it's okay to laugh along the way. After all, sometimes the best way to beat "wangry" is to take it all in with an all-you-can-eat buffet of humor and a dash of perspective.