Comments on: It’s Not My Job! http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/ Transforming Adversity Into Success! Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:57:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Stephen Hopson http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6429 Stephen Hopson Sun, 25 May 2008 01:58:38 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6429 Debbie: I just sent you an email with a copy of a manifesto written by Michael Lee Stallard who wrote a 20 page free report about the value of connectedness in the workplace, exactly what I talked about. It is here: http://changethis.com/44.06.ConnectionCulture Michael's website is here: http://www.michaelleestallard.com/ Stephen Debbie:

I just sent you an email with a copy of a manifesto written by Michael Lee Stallard who wrote a 20 page free report about the value of connectedness in the workplace, exactly what I talked about. It is here:

http://changethis.com/44.06.ConnectionCulture

Michael’s website is here: http://www.michaelleestallard.com/

Stephen

]]> By: Stephen Hopson http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6411 Stephen Hopson Sat, 24 May 2008 13:52:49 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6411 Debbie: Welcome to the Adversity University community! It's great to hear from someone with on the job experience. The first thing that popped into my mind is what I usually tell my life coaching clients: How can you get your colleagues more involved in the outcome. Are they part of the overall vision? Are you letting them know what is in it for them if they make those phone calls? Have you gained their trust by communicating with them and truly having an open door policy? Only you can answer these questions for you're an expert in yourself. Giving them more money is not always the answer. Many people are starving for recognition and the need to feel important. How are you making them feel like a team member? Hope these were thought provoking questions for you to mull over. These are the same questions I've put to my clients and for myself. Really makes me think when I sit down and contemplate the answers. Thanks for contributing! Have a great holiday weekend and I look forward to hearing from you again. Debbie:

Welcome to the Adversity University community! It’s great to hear from someone with on the job experience.

The first thing that popped into my mind is what I usually tell my life coaching clients: How can you get your colleagues more involved in the outcome. Are they part of the overall vision? Are you letting them know what is in it for them if they make those phone calls? Have you gained their trust by communicating with them and truly having an open door policy?

Only you can answer these questions for you’re an expert in yourself. Giving them more money is not always the answer. Many people are starving for recognition and the need to feel important. How are you making them feel like a team member?

Hope these were thought provoking questions for you to mull over. These are the same questions I’ve put to my clients and for myself. Really makes me think when I sit down and contemplate the answers.

Thanks for contributing! Have a great holiday weekend and I look forward to hearing from you again.

]]> By: Debbie Hubert http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6410 Debbie Hubert Sat, 24 May 2008 13:41:13 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6410 I recently returned to a supervisory position and have 3 very strong willed young staff members. I experience this comment often and I try to ask questions like if you don't give this person a call and ask what their intention was how are you going to know in the future? Isn't it better to resolve it now instead have having to deal with it over and over again? Their response is always "it's not my job to make the call". I wonder what happened to the generation that was so atimate about customer service and to take or go that extra mile. My response after trying to get them to see through questions or allowing them to come to the decision, is never mind I'll just do it myself. The problem with me doing this is that I just don't always have the time to perform my job and their jobs too. So perhaps my line of questioning is not correct and is something I may need to work on. I recently returned to a supervisory position and have 3 very strong willed young staff members. I experience this comment often and I try to ask questions like if you don’t give this person a call and ask what their intention was how are you going to know in the future? Isn’t it better to resolve it now instead have having to deal with it over and over again? Their response is always “it’s not my job to make the call”. I wonder what happened to the generation that was so atimate about customer service and to take or go that extra mile.

My response after trying to get them to see through questions or allowing them to come to the decision, is never mind I’ll just do it myself. The problem with me doing this is that I just don’t always have the time to perform my job and their jobs too. So perhaps my line of questioning is not correct and is something I may need to work on.

]]> By: Stephen Hopson http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6249 Stephen Hopson Tue, 20 May 2008 17:05:37 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6249 Christina: Very insightful thought and actually quite realistic with what's going on out there. I've always believed that it's not what happens that matters but how we deal with it. Regardless of the reason behind the circumstances, we still have a choice on how we will respond to the way management is treating me and so forth. Certainly lack of genuine leadership is hurting organizations on all levels. If they don't demonstrate integrity, how can their employees be expected to follow suit? Not an easy situation, for sure. Thanks a lot for sharing - it really added value and flavor to this discussion! Christina:

Very insightful thought and actually quite realistic with what’s going on out there. I’ve always believed that it’s not what happens that matters but how we deal with it. Regardless of the reason behind the circumstances, we still have a choice on how we will respond to the way management is treating me and so forth.

Certainly lack of genuine leadership is hurting organizations on all levels. If they don’t demonstrate integrity, how can their employees be expected to follow suit? Not an easy situation, for sure.

Thanks a lot for sharing - it really added value and flavor to this discussion!

]]> By: Christina http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6247 Christina Tue, 20 May 2008 15:55:59 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-6247 I think part of the reason - I have personally said, Its not my job! Is due to the lack of foresight on management. It is a culture that can take the most creative, energetic efforts and change them into a horizontal trance. My own... It's not my job has materialized from not being valued, listened to, trained, or paid. I have been in business, where I have communicated concerns on preplaning and avoiding major catastrophes during transistions(which can be stressful). When Management pushes you aside and says we will deal with that later or the absolute worse- we don't have time for that now!!!! Yet clearly the train is still barrelling in their direction ... you are left to choose ...step aside or sacrifice yourself to save them. Later the employer is stressed out because they refused to preplan and now they are flying by the seat of their pants(hurried and panicked) Everything you do.. is a day late and a dollar short. These types of frustrations lead to It's not my job - you chose not to listen. Good luck. This also lessens the desire to want to be helpful to your employer in the future. Just a thought! I think part of the reason - I have personally said, Its not my job! Is due to the lack of foresight on management. It is a culture that can take the most creative, energetic efforts and change them into a horizontal trance. My own… It’s not my job has materialized from not being valued, listened to, trained, or paid. I have been in business, where I have communicated concerns on preplaning and avoiding major catastrophes during transistions(which can be stressful). When Management pushes you aside and says we will deal with that later or the absolute worse- we don’t have time for that now!!!! Yet clearly the train is still barrelling in their direction … you are left to choose …step aside or sacrifice yourself to save them. Later the employer is stressed out because they refused to preplan and now they are flying by the seat of their pants(hurried and panicked) Everything you do.. is a day late and a dollar short. These types of frustrations lead to It’s not my job - you chose not to listen. Good luck. This also lessens the desire to want to be helpful to your employer in the future.
Just a thought!

]]> By: Stephen Hopson http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-1417 Stephen Hopson Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:39:50 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-1417 Chris: It's good to see you again! I see you're browsing around the university, checking out different articles and posts that seem to draw your attention and interest. Welcome! And I'm glad to have you as part of the community here. Have you ever noticed how these people who say, "it's not my job," are the same ones who say "Same old. Same old" when asked how everything it going in their life? Those people lost their dreams long ago. They may once have had a spark of fire in them but something happened along the way and the spark was extinquished, forever darkened. Oftentimes they aren't aware of it until someone comes along and takes them under their wing. Otherwise, they go to their graves never knowing how much of a difference they could have made if they just made an little bit of an extra effort. Great comment! Thanks again for feeling inspired to add your thoughts to this discussion. Chris:

It’s good to see you again! I see you’re browsing around the university, checking out different articles and posts that seem to draw your attention and interest.

Welcome! And I’m glad to have you as part of the community here.

Have you ever noticed how these people who say, “it’s not my job,” are the same ones who say “Same old. Same old” when asked how everything it going in their life?

Those people lost their dreams long ago. They may once have had a spark of fire in them but something happened along the way and the spark was extinquished, forever darkened. Oftentimes they aren’t aware of it until someone comes along and takes them under their wing. Otherwise, they go to their graves never knowing how much of a difference they could have made if they just made an little bit of an extra effort.

Great comment! Thanks again for feeling inspired to add your thoughts to this discussion.

]]> By: Chris http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-1415 Chris Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:11:03 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-1415 I take the path of finding out what it is that makes the person respond with "It`s not my job"... If you work for a company it is your job to know everything about who you work for, saying "Its not my job" is like saying "Hey, anything in life will do, why must I extend myself any further than what is required." Well, I`m sure you can see the logic in that...what kind of career will you have with that company with that attitude ? I`ve seen it, people sitting 20 years plus in the same job, never moving further because "Thats not my job"...same company, same office, same desk, people come and go/move around them...its crazy. That`s where that attitude gets you. Rather try and teach them about bettering themselves, even if it means you must "take them under your wing" for a while and show them something new. I take the path of finding out what it is that makes the person respond with “It`s not my job”…
If you work for a company it is your job to know everything about who you work for, saying “Its not my job” is like saying “Hey, anything in life will do, why must I extend myself any further than what is required.”

Well, I`m sure you can see the logic in that…what kind of career will you have with that company with that attitude ? I`ve seen it, people sitting 20 years plus in the same job, never moving further because “Thats not my job”…same company, same office, same desk, people come and go/move around them…its crazy. That`s where that attitude gets you.

Rather try and teach them about bettering themselves, even if it means you must “take them under your wing” for a while and show them something new.

]]> By: Stephen Hopson http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-957 Stephen Hopson Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:59:19 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-957 Hello there Andrew: Well, Andrew, I'm glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you come back again...(You're more than welcome about the linkback - I believe in giving credit where due). Thanks for stopping by. Hello there Andrew:

Well, Andrew, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you come back again…(You’re more than welcome about the linkback - I believe in giving credit where due).

Thanks for stopping by.

]]> By: Andrew Flusche http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-956 Andrew Flusche Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:48:54 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-956 Hi Stephen, This is a great post. I'm glad you liked the "hard work" image we made; thanks for the link! Since I'm the low man on the totem pole right now, "it's not my job" isn't a big problem for me. I'm usually able to take it to the boss and have them handle people like that. :) Andrew Hi Stephen,

This is a great post. I’m glad you liked the “hard work” image we made; thanks for the link!

Since I’m the low man on the totem pole right now, “it’s not my job” isn’t a big problem for me. I’m usually able to take it to the boss and have them handle people like that. :)

Andrew

]]> By: Stephen Hopson http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-953 Stephen Hopson Sat, 24 Nov 2007 21:08:22 +0000 http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/2007/11/23/its-not-my-job/#comment-953 Mark: Welcome! What a delight to have a new commentator join in on the fun and discussion. :) You seem to have it down pat with your system of asking people a series of questions, leading them to make some profound discoveries. It's interesting to see a wide variety of different opinions on this subject! As you can see, there is no one way to do things. Everyone has a different method for dealing with these "IT'S NOT MY JOB" people. I love the sinking boat analogy - it's BRILLIANT! Thanks again for joining in on the conversation. It was great having you. Mark:

Welcome! What a delight to have a new commentator join in on the fun and discussion. :)

You seem to have it down pat with your system of asking people a series of questions, leading them to make some profound discoveries. It’s interesting to see a wide variety of different opinions on this subject!

As you can see, there is no one way to do things. Everyone has a different method for dealing with these “IT’S NOT MY JOB” people. I love the sinking boat analogy - it’s BRILLIANT!

Thanks again for joining in on the conversation. It was great having you.

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