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http://tnij.org/8rle
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Have you ever been in a
situation at work when you would like to do something but it is not
in the scope of your responsibilities? Most people answer: yes, but
why I had to do it if my boss in paying me for it?
To tell why, I’ll tell
you a short story.
Once upon a time there
were three bricklayers. When asked “what are you doing here” the
first bricklayer said “I’m laying bricks, so they align to each
other”. The second one said “I’m putting up a solid wall”.
But the last one said “I’m building the greatest cathedral in the
world”.
So, If you are like that
last bricklayer and you really want to build something great, the
thing that will be used by thousands of people, the thing that is
totally innovative, the thing that lets you earn a lot of money, the
thing that changes the world, Forget Your Title, make things happen.
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http://tnij.org/8rnk
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If you want to build your
great cathedral, your job position is only a starting point. It is
that part of the job you have to do because other guys rely on you.
But you should NOT limit your role in the organization to what your
business card says.
Let’s have another
example.
Suppose you are a team
member: developer/tester/graphic/whoever. You’ve created a great
new feature, but the users do not use it. Why don’t you grab the
phone and call the clients to ask what’s going on? It does not suit
your position description? Come on - forget your title and make
things happen.
And how is it with you?
Aren’t you afraid of responsibility? Are you able to forget about
your position?
I'm my own boss, so I don't know the feeling... I try to do everything possible, or even impossible, and if I hit a brick wall, I ask my friends for help :)
ReplyDeleteI always do what I think is right. I do not fear the reactions of others people. If I do something wrong I am ready to suffer for the consequences.World belongs to the brave people.
ReplyDeleteI even prefer to do much more than I'm officially responsible for. Thanks to that, I learn new things which are useful later and in the same time I'm getting closer to point in which I'll be able to manage something on my own. The feeling when someone force me to do things that I'm not responsible for - so common that usually I don't even notice when so many new unique tasks arrived (as far as they are interesting and challenging - fortunately, in my work in most cases they are).
ReplyDeleteIn my field of work, which is art, everyone is their own boss. The art style, even if similar, is something we achieve individually and decide ourselves how much it’s worth. As a graphic designer I create my own rules and I’m in charge of my work. When working for a company I just get tasks and decide if I can meet the requirements or not. I hardly ever use my title, never the less I take my job seriously. I try to make it as much fun as I can for myself as I love my job.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm in a good position, because I work in a corporation, but a very tiny division where my work enables me to do diverse activities. I can work on all kinds of tasks and help any of my coworkers with their tasks whenever I feel like it and whenever I feel like I might have important things to contribute.
ReplyDeleteIt allows me to truly like my work and never get bored. I have opportunities to perform tasks I really want to perform and find them interesting. I am also often asked to help with things that are not part of my responsibilities or are even totally not connected to my job position. If I never did them, I'd think my job feels repetitive and uninspiring. It's actually trying new things that make us leave our comfort zones that define whether we are happy and thinking we are doing something interesting. It's the definition of being satisfied to me, and entertained at work at the same time.
If you think that you position in company restricts you, it's high time to change work :D
ReplyDeleteIn past maybe building the biggest cathedral was easier. You can say that now we have machines that can help us. Yes but know there is alot of engineers around. You can't go and build just like that. This is myth.
I think the sample is bad. If we feel uncomfortable in our work and we have ideas. We don't have to be reproductive. We have to be creative.
If cathedral has already been built. Now is time to build mosque. This is the thinking of people that wont to do more in life.
I really depend on the subject and current employer. For example, when I'm doing commissions for people who are extremely nice to me and the subject of my work is interesting, I can do the "cathedral" piece for far lower price than I usually do, I just try my best. However, I had also a bad experience in working at one TV station. The tasks were terribly dull, every graphic designer was underpayed and they treated us the "it should be your dream job, you will never get any better" way. I resigned after few months and my boss told me then that he was extremely disappointed - he showed me artworks from my portfolio and asked "why didn't you draw things like this for us?". Well, because your brand doesn't deserve this. So remember guys - build a cathedral, but watch out for building it for free or for the profit of someone you don't really like :)
ReplyDelete@Martyna great decision, congratulate! I hope that you only work on cathedrals, now ;)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, as I talk (especially with the older generation) not everyone has the courage. Changing jobs isn't easy. We fear that the next job will be worse, and here we have the proverbial 2000 zloty. We prefer flexible and dynamic contracts, our parents can not imagine anything else from a stable contract.
I do prefer to work on my own cathedral but also can relate to Martyna's experience. From time to time I had to do the work that are completely boring and dull but just has to be done. I think this is natural and we definitely should not limit ourself to only those boring task and keep searching for our vocation, our cathedral.
ReplyDeleteIn the corporation that I work at we are encouraged every day to take matters in to our own hands and when we think that some process can be improved we should not sit and keep it a secret but share it with the community. Plus asides from our “normal” jobs we also have to do at least one more side job for the community or out teams. That being said I am in no way afraid of responsibilities and in fact I work much better when I’m under stress and know that somebody is counting for the results of my work. I believe that at least in the (US) corporations, job titles are a second or third thing in line and you do/should do more than what you are asked to do.
ReplyDeleteIt is always good to do more than you "should". Of course it does not work in all cases, sometimes too much is bad but when we speak about job and our attitude I think it is important to be creative and hard-working.
ReplyDeleteSome people may see ambitious employee as a "delusive one" or hopeless and make fun for looking for a promotion but I think it is important to set some goals and to do more then we should in all time. It may find the best use in work but is shows how someone can be different from others (just doing what they are told to) in a good way.
This is very interesting topic. If you do something do it good.
ReplyDelete"How is it with you?"
I love my job and I am like this third bricklayer who is building the greatest cathedral in the world.
Aren’t you afraid of responsibility?
Responsibility is something natural. We are responsible for more or less important things. Since it is natural I am not afraid of it.
Are you able to forget about your position?
I do not have to forget because I like my work and I like to remember the luck I have working for myself. I am my own boss. And I do what I am pleased.