"If we lived in a perfect world, there would not be a need for managers."
- Bryce's Law
The following is an excerpt from the concluding chapter of my new book, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life. The book offers considerable advice regarding how to manage our personal and professional lives. This particular chapter sums up the concepts contained in the book and makes some concluding comments. I hope you enjoy it.
LIVING IN A PERFECT WORLD
If we lived in a perfect world, everyone would know what their job assignments would be and execute them in the most productive means possible. But because we are human and have to work with others who do not share our same interests or think the same way as we do, problems arise in terms of perceptions, communications, cooperation, and priorities. In other words, due to the sheer nature of the human spirit, we live in an imperfect world and, as such, we require management to overcome the many foibles we all suffer from.
The younger generation entering the workforce today has a lot of unbridled enthusiasm, as we all did when we first entered it. But the latest generation seems to believe they are uniquely different, that corporate cultures will need to adopt to them, not the other way around. First, we all had the same unbridled energy as you do now. And Second, I can assure you the corporate culture will not change to suit you, but you must adapt to it instead.
As a young adult you will need to assume more responsibilities and make more decisions, both personally and professionally. This will require you to become more organized and disciplined out of sheer necessity. This will be hard for those of you who simply were not prepared for it by your parents or schools, or perhaps you rebelled against authority at an early age. But understand this; as long as you accept wages from someone else, you must comply with their wishes. If this is unacceptable to you, then I exhort you to create your own company and establish your own rules. Then again, you will have to comply with several government related rules and regulations which may encumber how you want to operate. This is called reality. Something we all experience as we enter adulthood.
Some of you may think a lot of the principles described herein are archaic from a bygone era. True, there are many rules and observations inculcated herein which were cultivated over the last century, but you have to marvel at the business boom of the 20th century. Fueled by two world wars, the past century witnessed radical changes in communications, transportation, health, housing, the military and worldwide business, all of which have affected us socially. Yes, some of the principles may appear dated, but they are all based on real world observations and are every bit as applicable today as they were yesterday.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the 20th century and the 21st is how technology has changed the pace of our lives. We now expect to communicate with anyone on the planet in seconds, not days. We expect information at our fingertips. We expect to be up and walking shortly after a hip or knee replacement. Basically, we take a lot for granted. But this frenzied pace has also altered how we conduct business and live our lives. To illustrate, we want to solve problems immediately, and have no patience for long term solutions. Consequently, we tend to attack symptoms as opposed to addressing true problems, and apply Band-Aids to pacify the moment as opposed to tourniquets which are actually needed. We are easily satisfied with solving small problems as opposed to conquering major challenges. Personally, we tend to live for today, as opposed to planning for tomorrow. This mindset concerns me greatly.
More than anything, mastering human dynamics is critical for becoming successful in business and is a natural part of adult life. In addition to a fast paced world, the young adults entering the work force today must contend with a much more competitive job market. For example, out of financial necessity the Baby Boomers are remaining on the job much longer than expected; menial jobs are being outsourced offshore, and; more and more younger workers are entering the work force who are better educated and more competitive than their predecessors. All of this means that as a young adult, you have to find your niche and fight to keep it.
You may not enjoy the job you currently have, but you should be thankful you have it and put the best spin on it as possible. This doesn't mean you should accept mediocrity, but rather you should continually strive to improve yourself and lead a worthwhile life. Fortunately, as a young adult you have the energy and independence to make changes early in your career, but it is these early years that will greatly impact the rest of your life. The point of my book, therefore, is to help point you in the right direction. What I am basically telling you here is essentially no different than what your parents have told you, but as an outside consultant, perhaps you will listen to me.
I am reminded of the story Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) told of when he left home at an early age and joined the Confederacy in the Civil War, after which he went out west to seek his fortune in the gold rush in the western United States which disappointed him greatly. After a few years he finally worked his way back home where he was surprised to discover how smart his father had become. In other words, he had no appreciation for what his parents had been telling him as he was growing up, but as an adult who had experienced the perils and pitfalls of the real world, he found the advice his parents had offered him wasn't bad after all.
I wish you all the best of luck in all your future endeavors.
If you would like to discuss this further with me, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail at timb001@phmainstreet.com
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