WHAT I GET TO DO - NOT WHAT I HAVE TO DO

I was recently asked to explain the Schilagi Interest and Skill Profile (SISP). I responded by saying that it was a series of 88 questions for people in the hospitality industry. The individual responses to these questions where compared to those submitted by operating managers. The combined results could provide hospitality students with curriculum direction and people working in the industry with career direction.

Upon reflection, I want to add that the four outcomes of the profile results:

1- Capitalize: High Interest and High Skill sets
2- Strengthen: High Interest and Low Skill sets
3- Analyze: Low Interest High Skill
4- Circumvent: Low Interest Low Skill
(Details in Reality Check for Leaders)

The respondent is provided with valuable information about their life’s work. I honestly believe that we do not spend enough time thinking about what we like to do and what we can do. People and Organizations need productive turnover. People in the wrong jobs who hate going to work make accomplishing goals that much more difficult. We need people who come to work thinking about what they get to do rather than what they always have to do. The SISP can move them in the right direction, assisting in making that happen.

Reality Check Leaders Do Not Give Up Control Easily.

I read this story the other day.

Woman Arrested for Not Watering Lawn
July 6th, 2007 @ 10:00pm
Sam Penrod Reporting

It was about a woman arrested for resisting getting a ticket for not watering her lawn. The woman who is a widow and grandmother was actually put in a cell for refusing to give her name. Her name would have been used to write her a ticket for not watering her lawn.

She told the water police that she could not afford to water her lawn but I guess big brother knew best. The hell with food and medicine, you have to keep your grass green for the good of the village, town, city-state, nation, and world. Mrs. Perry is 70 years old for God sake.

If this were isolated instance, there would not be much to talk about. However, the fact is our lives are controlled more and more by those who actually believe the government knows best. You know government, where the mediocre seek revenge on the successful by enforcing silly and intrusive rules. Our lives are also controlled by organizations. Many companies are demanding unreasonable compliance from their employees, both in and out of the work place.

As we go to work every day we are surrounded by rules about the way we should think, feel and behave. Our organizations provide a reward system based on following the rules. Moreover, as we know, all relevant behavior that is rewarded is repeated. A lucky few wake up and think about what the get to do rather than what they have to do. The rest try to follow the rules established by those in power. We all must remember that those in power do not make rules that will benefit those “not in power”. A reality check leader focuses on what needs to be done, not on “this is the way we have always done it”.

So the next time you see yet another restriction on your discretion, on your right to control your life, say something. It does not have to be a life of lock step, follow in line, don’t make waves. Waves are good for everyone. Leaders particularly need to reward wave making. It’s good for the organization and its fun.