Forget about the pending onslaught of the avian flu. This country is already suffering from an epidemic............a nastier syndrome that is festering in the bowels of offices, companies and service industries across this land. Yes, this virulent virus is known to deaden the brain, crush creativity and suck the sap out of any soul it penetrates. No, it's not flesh eating disease. It's not Mad Cow. It's even scarier. It's called underemployment.
Can't you hear the local economy coughing and sputtering from stagnation, while talented individuals slave away in mind numbing underpaid jobs? It's such a paradox.
Why has this scurvied affliction been allowed to penetrate our working community without anyone using an innoculation to stop it? Fear? Apathy? Blinding narrow mindedness? Yes, yes and yes!
Underemployment is rampant, and it's very very sad. It is fed by a paralytic middle management whose scope is so narrow to recognize untapped talent. It is fed by so-called Human Resource specialists who continue to use archaic means of interviewing for new positions that are based on some crazy statistical scientific measurement of mediocre. It is fed by complacent fearful people who dread taking risks on someone who may not fit in a particular "box" labelled with a job title. Instead of opening the lid of the job position "box" to allow for fresh breezes and new ideas, they shove someone in there that wouldn't know a new idea if it bit them in the ass. The scourge continues.............the virus leeches............
Society doesn't promote individuals who are uniquely creative............who thrive on thinking outside of the parameters. Bright, intelligent analytical leaders who could pull this country out of the doldrums and make it sparkle are passed over. It's a mind boggler. One of the conundrums, and I speak from experience, is that these unique people won't compromise themselves to become a pre-fab person. And if you don't play the rules of the game, just to get in the box so that you can open the lid...............well, you're SOL pal.
Many times, when I have personally complained about not being considered for a new project, or a new position, or when I have shown my drive and desire to move up and onward, I have been told that I should just be thankful for the job I have..............I shouldn't rock the boat, because who knows when there may be more lay offs.............stay low.............don't make a scene. I have even been asked why I have such high aspirations? It's like I'm an alien from another planet.
Guess what? I'm not the friggin' alien! What's wrong with expressing new ideas enthusiastically? What's wrong with sharing a fresh approach to leadership or management or service delivery?
So, what to do? The only thing a creative independent individual can do. Keep trying.......eventually there will be someone out that who is also a risk taking, broad minded big idea person. Keep the faith, batten down your values and beliefs and innoculate yourself from the big bad wind of narrowness. It too shall pass.
Can't you hear the local economy coughing and sputtering from stagnation, while talented individuals slave away in mind numbing underpaid jobs? It's such a paradox.
Why has this scurvied affliction been allowed to penetrate our working community without anyone using an innoculation to stop it? Fear? Apathy? Blinding narrow mindedness? Yes, yes and yes!
Underemployment is rampant, and it's very very sad. It is fed by a paralytic middle management whose scope is so narrow to recognize untapped talent. It is fed by so-called Human Resource specialists who continue to use archaic means of interviewing for new positions that are based on some crazy statistical scientific measurement of mediocre. It is fed by complacent fearful people who dread taking risks on someone who may not fit in a particular "box" labelled with a job title. Instead of opening the lid of the job position "box" to allow for fresh breezes and new ideas, they shove someone in there that wouldn't know a new idea if it bit them in the ass. The scourge continues.............the virus leeches............
Society doesn't promote individuals who are uniquely creative............who thrive on thinking outside of the parameters. Bright, intelligent analytical leaders who could pull this country out of the doldrums and make it sparkle are passed over. It's a mind boggler. One of the conundrums, and I speak from experience, is that these unique people won't compromise themselves to become a pre-fab person. And if you don't play the rules of the game, just to get in the box so that you can open the lid...............well, you're SOL pal.
Many times, when I have personally complained about not being considered for a new project, or a new position, or when I have shown my drive and desire to move up and onward, I have been told that I should just be thankful for the job I have..............I shouldn't rock the boat, because who knows when there may be more lay offs.............stay low.............don't make a scene. I have even been asked why I have such high aspirations? It's like I'm an alien from another planet.
Guess what? I'm not the friggin' alien! What's wrong with expressing new ideas enthusiastically? What's wrong with sharing a fresh approach to leadership or management or service delivery?
So, what to do? The only thing a creative independent individual can do. Keep trying.......eventually there will be someone out that who is also a risk taking, broad minded big idea person. Keep the faith, batten down your values and beliefs and innoculate yourself from the big bad wind of narrowness. It too shall pass.
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