Like a number of you I spent the Fourth of July weekend with family and friends and as usual the food was great, the horseshoes highly competitive and catching up was kinda sorta ok – always is with family right?
The conversations always stir to politics and our economic situation which automatically veers to work. One of the family participants is an executive with a major company and as economic news of the day was bantered about he began to discuss the value of education today and what he felt was needed to get ahead in this world. Interestingly from his experience he does not see the following three perspectives instilled in the graduates his companies interview.
- The willingness to take on hard work. His discussion described the day laborers he sees working around his buildings and the difference he sees in their approach to work and the approach of his employees. The level of entitlement attitude has taken effort down a rung or two and though the company is successful he believes he could accomplish more for his employees if they were willing to work versus expecting rewards to be handed to them before accomplishments.
- A positive attitude. At the end of the day work is work and no matter what you do the reward comes from how you approach what you do. The person who sets out to be the best at their work no matter what it is they do will find more enjoyment and reward at the end of the day. If this is true why don’t all strive to do their best all the time?
- Good manners. Standing out is easy, just say yes ma’am, yes sir and thank you. Yes these are colloquialisms used or not in different parts of the country but at the end of the day good manners are good manners. Wouldn’t you want someone acknowledging you in the same way when you ask for or provide something of value?
My family member stated he sees a difference in the way people approach their work today versus times past and is considering establishing a program to hire talent, with a college degree or not, based on these attributes and invest in training them to work rewarding them very well based on accomplishment. Why not try? Our education system at many levels is suspect for many reasons resulting in lower global competitiveness. Getting ahead may require employers expecting these attributes and employees interested in succeeding willing to make them a part of their work day everyday
Similar Posts:
- The Power of Positive Difference
- Legoland Florida hiring for 800 seasonal jobs
- Can the ‘Turnaround King’ Save Your Career? (Video)
- Why Engaged Workers Make Better Employees
- Mealtime Interviews: An Etiquette Guide
no comment until now