Lambentpath

I love humor and especially when it offers direct connection and effect on something I hold dear.  During my years of working with people, I have been told consistently that I am the person that people come to when they are trying to solve problems.  “Do not go speak to Jason unless you are ready to hear some real advice”.  I sense that I have built a good reputation for people, allowing them a place (when i can offer help) that has solid advice but is aimed at getting a goal attained and not just smoothing something over.  With that sort of approach, this post hit close to home.

Laurie Reuttimann writes an excellent post here.  Take a look at this quick view into what she has to say:

1. Don’t be an asshole.
2. Don’t divert attention away from the mission and vision of the organization.
3. Don’t cause problems that are bigger than the problem we’re trying to solve.
4. If you don’t like it, leave.

I know some people will find the first statement offending but we have all worked with people that are not nice and tend to want to ruin the job rather than get it completed.  People are into self survival, and that really is the focus of #2 for me.  All offices have the people that keep their own jobs by constantly keeping themselves busy doing things that are not required of the company’s goal and vision.  #3 could not be any clearer but something people do all the time, complicating issues far beyond what they need to be and raising small segments of the problem so far that they shadow over the main mission.  I tie #3 and #2 together as I see them joined.  And #4……

#4 is so awesome and powerful but not taken to heart by employees and employers.  Leave.  Not all relationships are going to work, and most important - that is not necessarily reflective of you or the company.  Neither has to be wrong for something not to work.  However when you know that it does not, simply leave and move on.  Too many people stay on longer than they should, developing resentment and forming bad habits in the process.  Unfortunately these are brought to the next job and start a spiraling process downward that is difficult to retreat from.  Make sure not to make that mistake.

KISS - Keep it Simple Stupid.  Something I rely on as to not make things more complex than they need to be.  Though not the nicest of words, I think you can find some solace in keeping things simple and applying some of Laurie’s thoughts.