Selling out is “selling out” your principles. Although it is and seems wrong you may have to do from time to time. Perhaps your boss is an idiot – a moron – who believes by kytowing you he has great power. It is an interesting lesson in life that in the end we have little control over much of anything. And yet many live their lives in a vain attempt to control others – even declaring it in grandiose terms such as “The Rules are Golden and THEY ARE MY RULES”. You would expect such thoughts and management behavior from the Gestapo not in a business where the end result is supposed to be productivity not control of others. And yet many management types act in this vain attempt that somehow that they have great control overs ( at least in front of their faces). They probably fall asleep ( if not in a drunken stupor) of repeating this mantra of “The Rules are Golden and They are MY RULES”. King of the playpen , Morons of the world
Imagine your boss as the manager and supervisor of a schoolbus
Here he is indeed after a careful search and hiring process by the below questionnaire – no expense ( of the expense and travel accounts ) was spared in the search for accurate testing process for new hires and company presidents.
The much fabled “Xerox PSS Course” ” Sell me that pen” , could be summarized as little more than close to $ 5,000 spent hire or trained monkey all to learn to repeat the phrase – “hmm”
“A most interesting point of view”, ” A good point to ponder !” or ” an interesting point to ponder”.
All phrases of an “discussion “ with management on the way , full of mis-truths ,misunderstandings. You might as well say to the author of these stock phrases - Why not just send me a memo ( now a blackberry text message) and tell me what has been decided already ? Why get me upset , and pretend that I/or we have some input when don’t in any way or manner.
It must be on page x of the management handbook or in an article read on the airplane that the management clone / fool is now an expert of but in reality understands litle of the basic concept and concepts in any manner what so ever.
The amazing part of it all that they really think that they “are so smart” when in actuality they are complete morons in any manner.
The difference is that they have the hangman’s hand on the pull switch which gives them apparent power. It has been said after the First World War by a journalist on the origin of war and wars that they occur when ” politicians have journalists write lies ( and the wars occur) when the politicians begin to believe those lies”.
The same can be said of management , its great power and powers in itself and ultimately in its own correctness. Why not ponder those points yourself. Look in the mirror . “An interesting point to ponder” yourself
If nothing else is sacred – your self worth as well as personal integrity should be.
Do not let management make “mince meat” out of you in order to preserve their “sacred cows”
Your remain the same person that you were with or without their approval. Their approval or pat on your head (or threats ) mean little. You were the same person regardless – the same person who woke up in the morning ,who got in the car or bus. Your intrinsic value remains the same regardless. Resist the magic swoop of logic that somehow the minute you don’t fall to their wishes , or miss a production , sales or other corporate ( top floor ) target you are somewhow of less value as a human being . Magic ( and most faulty logic). Have them look in the mirror. How on earth does missing one arbritrary target of their make you any less of a human being.
In many ways it comes down to control issues on their part – pathological on their part. If anyone has problems it is them . Look in the mirror. Look at your own order book sonny.
You may well of had a situation at a border crossing of being asked “Where were you born ?”. Puzzling you may think as I am an “American ” with a valid American passport and documentation. Why should I be asked “Where am or was I born ?”
In the same way you may be asked in a job interview about absences at work and your attendance record. This may even be for an interview for a firm that either pays by a commissions structure or in its mind gives lip service to phrases such as ” First and foremost we reward results…. we…. solid performance.” Its a case of lack of comprehension of simple concepts or / and dealing with idiots and morons. A little knowledge can be said to be a dangerous thing in the hands of less than proficient management.
What should matter first and foremost is results – your productivity and as well ( perhaps) consistency. There are no shortage of apparently loyal employees and various workers “screwing the dog” aka putting in time., all for that large pension or “golden handshake ” at the end of it all .
It could be said that the bonus system of management for the American auto industry and financial system is delusional and indeed theft and is more than a false measure of job performance and productivity. However in the end someone has to pay the piper . Hopefully that is someone else than you , somewhere else.
Another standard interview question or query that indeed evolved into a classic joke with a punchline is along the lines of “If you could be anyone in the world who would you like to be or have you often wished you were born as someone else in another family setting ?” In the humorous version the answer given to the puzzled interviewer is “Alberta Pipilini” . The puzzled interviewer ponders the answer – not understanding the answer or knowing who the person of fame Alberta Pipiliniis or where she resides , and in what capacity.
This is a psychological question with deep hidden inner meanings and desires revealed.
It turns out that when the interviewer reframes the question – that the person in question is not person in the flesh but rather the oil pipeline of Alberta (Canada) (Alberta pipeline) , who the interviewee ( most likely female) , and that “Alberta Pipelini was laid by a thousand men in the course of six months”.
Well at least the interview question ruled out one candidate on the grounds of intelligence or perhaps helped choose a new executive secretary for the boss.
Any of a number of outward manifestations or traits can well provide a better idea , an insight or insights into what your boss / supervisor / manager is really like and what really portends his mind or what perhaps goes on his / her or its little mind.
Never mind the little chatter ( none of which is off the cuff) that comes out of their mouths. What is really going on . What are the real concerns and area of focus ? That is other than getting into power – to be in the real position to effect change towards what they feel is “right ” “proper” or to drive that big new Cadillac perk – never mind that the vehicle of choice has now moved on to new models and types. So much for progressive proactive thinking. Its all still way back there in the “stone age”.
As an example and case in point one manager went on at great lengths regarding a discussion he had with a novice , and still relatively untouched , marketing type. The conversation was about the skills – or better simply put coercive management skills of Atilla the Hun. Atilla was widely successful in conquering and tormenting vast areas of geography. He was known as the evil Rasputin of his day. Still he not only was successful , he was an effective manner of men. Atilla did not do the work himself but by command of the troops. The summary of Atilla’s management style was that troops showed loyalty to Atilla and Atilla rewarded the troops. It all depends which side of the fence or side you are on . Good and evil is only subjective. If you are on Atilla’s side the rape and pillage and rewards would be great. If on the other side of the victims’ then not so good. The message to any listeners was ” I am a bastard ” but if you show loyalty to me and my projects I will reward you greatly. “Get with the program”
It seemed that John felt that “he needed a job”. So much for peer and family pressure all meaning well.
However John was having trouble finding a job that paid enough . He had worked in the produce department of a grocery store but had quit because the pay was so low. Desperate he decided to apply for such a position , even though he resented the low wages and no benefits.
Finally he found an actual opening. The grocer offered x amount a week $ to manage the produce section of the supermarket. John agreed. Workers often react and respond to unfair treatment by ripping off the company. In the end neither side benefits to any degree – both are being taken advantage of . No one is ahead at the end of the day. Not the employer who has problems of employee theft and low morale. Not the workers who seldom put in an honest days work , and are best are scheming at how to get more off the shelf goods. So much for good value and proper effective management tactics and procedures.
