Noun: hobbyist - a person who pursues an activity in their spare time for pleasure
Look at the above definition. Does that describe the stuff you do outside the office or does it describe what you do for a living?
I know that's a tough question, but I think it's worth considering. I bumped into this situation when I bought a division of a client's company and inherited a staff of six employees. A couple were artists, one was a photographer, one was a videographer and the remainder were writers. A funny thing happened as we got to know each other: I found out that none of them were trained or educated in their area. They had worked elsewhere at the company and over the years for various reasons transferred into this division. They were put in an unfair position of being expected to do something they were not equipped to do. In fairness to their former company, the employees could have asked to be trained or get schooling, but did not. Hence, the reason the division was sold--it didn't perform well because it couldn't.
We are paid to do our jobs every day. Are we hobbyists or specialists?
Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com
Originally posted 3/29/11
Posts
Excellent analogy Barry.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great point, Barry! As much as we would all love to be able to do our dream jobs or ones that we can enjoy on a daily basis, reality do not always allow for that to happen. I really feel for that company that had to sell the division, but, even if we aren't doing our dream job, we need to always try to excel. I'm sure these new employees you inherited will do very well at LaBov & Beyond!
ReplyDelete