Dear Roxanne,
In a message dated 95-12-26 23:04:25 EST, you address Bernie DeKoven (Dr.
Fun) asks, "What are your findings about reward systems that actually
promote (or at least don't inhibit) this experience (flow, play, personal,
spiritual and material profit)?" and you write:
>Another control tool that I believe must be abolished is the concept of
>job. When we force our people into the rigid boxes of a job description,
>we rob them of the freedom to employ their natural gifts and acquired
>skills and learning. Even in organizations that don't restrict assignments
>strictly to job descriptions, the pay systems relates pay ranges and pay
>increases to the_ job_ that the individual holds. Again there is a better
>way that a few organizations are experimenting with. After the
>organization has identified the competenies needed for their particular
>line of business, they provide an environment that encourages life long
>learning and pays more to those persons who demonstrate more of the
>competencies and a higher level of the competencies that they need. Is
>this just another form of control tool? Perhaps, but I believe it is one
>step further in the evolution toward a healthy organization and a joyful
>workforce.
Changing the concept of job is an important idea and I think it is
necessary to shift the locus of control for this from the company to the
individual. The concept of job, the kinds of jobs, and the long-term need
for various job skills are changing so rapidly that no one should(or can)
feel entitled to employment. Individuals must look at (and develop)
themselves as multi-skilled, talent banks that can move across fields,
where the need is or create a market for their services. There are many
ways to do this. Primarily, we have to begin to look at ourselves as CEOs
of our own businesses - ourselves.We need to concentrate on building our
own assets or value to the world of work as a whole. Read about current
trends, develop critical linkages insides and outside of our workplaces,
see the connections that exist among what we do and what is needed, take
advantage of all opportunities to take courses, look forward to new ways
to connect rather than rely on what you know or is comfortable, treat your
employer as your customer, remembering that one can and should educate &
delight customers as well as meet their needs and expectations, etc, etc.,
etc. I've seen this work over and over again. It's empowering and fun and
since workplaces are run by people - us, they will reflect who we are.
Also, I think we need to find ways to take control of our own flow, play,
personal, spiritual and material profit. We give away our power if we
think a reward systems, boss, company, etc. can do this for us.
-- Carol Sager The Critical Linkages II Newsletter 21 Wallis Rd. Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 617/469-9644 v 617/469-9639 fax sageredent@aol.com