I am in a fairly unique position at the Douglas. I’m a manager, yet I have no actual staff. My role is that of providing professional development. The professionals work directly for their programs instead of for the psychology department. What this implies is that both staff and management feel equally comfortable talking to me about the other group.
Managers complain to me about their employees and staff complain to me about their managers. As in all arguments, they both have valid points. I try to be supportive and usually people walk away thinking that I am on their side. Of course, in a way I am, but in another way, I’m not. That’s just the way I am. I see both sides in all arguments.
So, in that great wishy-washy tradition that I am known for, let me tell you about a lunch I once had with an employee. He was complaining to me about his manager who, in this employee’s mind at least, just didn’t get it. He said that he once asked the manager if he would prefer an employee who worked hard for 40 hours per week but got little accomplished, or one who only worked ten hours but got more done than the other guy. The manager chose the hard worker. The man I was having lunch with just shook his head at the stupidity of the manager.
This got me thinking about who would be better and why. Knowing the manager in question, I knew that he felt he could teach the hard worker to work better much more easily than he could teach the smart worker to work harder. But this man was an eternal optimist and a natural teacher. The truth is, you can’t always make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Some people cannot be taught so easily. Others are rigid or they may react badly to suggestions, feeling that they are being overly criticized.
On the other hand, he is right in assuming that those who do not put in a full day’s work might be difficult to motivate and are unlikely to start becoming more productive.
This story got filed away in the back of my head until our last snowstorm. My two sons helped in very different ways and it reminded me of dilemma discussed in that lunchtime conversation. Here’s what I wrote about it.
Working hard or working smart (Source: Job de bras ou job de babines; Journal Métro, March 25, 2008)
I have two sons. One has a strong body, the other a strong mouth.
I live in the suburbs. Ninety percent of my neighbours have a snow removal service. It is efficient and cheap, an especially good bargain in this near record snowfall year. Like the idiot that I am, however, I decided not to purchase the service because, a) snow removal builds character, b) exercise is good for us, and c) I have two boys who have to learn the value of hard work.
After the latest snowstorm, I once again dragged the two boys outside with me so that we could share this valuable quality family time grunting and heaving. Across the way, my neighbour Michel’s truck was stuck in the snow. My strong older son Joshua, who doesn’t talk much, worked on our driveway while I went over to help Michel. My younger son Tommy, who never shuts up, came along. He did little more than watch while I dug and pushed.
It took us more than half an hour to free the truck. In the meantime Joshua had finished about a third of the driveway. When Michel thanked us, Tommy asked him if he could clear our driveway with his snow blower. Michel was happy to return the favour. Our driveway was completely clear a short time later. The way I see it, Joshua cleared one-third of the driveway with his body and Tommy cleared the rest with his mouth.
Preferred worker
This reminded me of a dilemma that is often raised in management. Is it better to have an employee who only works hard half the time and goofs off the rest of the time, or an employee who works hard all the time but accomplishes less than the first guy.Your preference would depend on whether you felt it would be easier to teach a smart worker to work harder or a hard worker to work more efficiently? The real answer lies in their characters. If the smart worker just needed stimulation, he would be best. If he were lazy, it wouldn’t help. If the hard worker learned well, he would be best. If he were rigid and resistant to change, you wouldn’t see much improvement. The reality is that people who work both hard and smart are hard to find. They are even harder to make.
Which would I pick if I had to choose between a hard worker and a smart worker. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have a preference. Like my two sons, they both have their strengths and their place in the world.
Tagged as work-ethic.
Posted in Human nature, Life, Random thoughts.
Posted on 31 Mar 2008
