> I tried to explain that, when I started to work, and throughout my career, I gave 200% of my energy to my job and it would never have occurred to me to question this.
It did not occur to the author that values above 100% of something may be excessive? Somehow, I don't find that convincing.
> I also shared with them my view that going “above and beyond your work” was the only way to continue learning and developing
That's a strong argument against investing effort and enthusiasm, right there. It's saying that even doing your job properly and well means no development and no "learning".
> it would pay off eventually
1. It.... probably wouldn't.
2. Today's labor market is much more precarious; chances of a person staying at the same workplace for more than several years are mediocre-to-low. So by the time "eventually" comes around, the employee will need to be someplace else, doing something else, i.e. no payoff.
3. Even if the employee stayed put - they will live in poor material conditions while waiting for that eventuality to materialize.
I had the same thought about the 200% thing. Actually I think it is either empty boasting or a difference of terminology. I understand giving 100% to mean: I give as much as I possible can. Giving 200%(or anything above 100%) sustainably for all your career sounds impossible by definition to me.
As an aside(since you used him for the author) I found it interesting that the author (according to her LinkedIn profile) is a woman. My initial prejudice was that giving so much more than everything to your work sounded like something that is only possible if you have a partner taking care of everything at home. And I immediately assumed this must be due to traditional family roles.
And people usually make more morning switching jobs every couple of years than staying in the same place. I have been hired several times, with better compensation than people more senior than me who have "been around" for a long time.
It did not occur to the author that values above 100% of something may be excessive? Somehow, I don't find that convincing.
> I also shared with them my view that going “above and beyond your work” was the only way to continue learning and developing
That's a strong argument against investing effort and enthusiasm, right there. It's saying that even doing your job properly and well means no development and no "learning".
> it would pay off eventually
1. It.... probably wouldn't.
2. Today's labor market is much more precarious; chances of a person staying at the same workplace for more than several years are mediocre-to-low. So by the time "eventually" comes around, the employee will need to be someplace else, doing something else, i.e. no payoff.
3. Even if the employee stayed put - they will live in poor material conditions while waiting for that eventuality to materialize.