| |
| |
|
Careers & Employment Information |
|
|
|
How to Improve Your Work Situation
buWhy are so many people unhappy in their work situation? Why do people, who are successful at one career, have such difficult times coping with their new career? These problems frequently occur, because conflicts exist in their work relationships. Relationships between you and your work can also be considered the "games of work." Games have basic rules to play, which require specific skills to succeed at playing. People win at the games they play when they achieve the game objectives and by operating within the rules of the game better than others. The "games of work" also have objectives and basic rules that must be followed to succeed. There are many different sports games and the objectives and rules are different for each game, sometimes dramatically so. There are three fundamental "games of work" that define the different relationships people have with their work. Yet, very few people who participate in the "games of work" understand the objectives, the rules, or even the game they are playing. Consequently, if they blindly operate under different rules, methods, and purposes than the conditions their work relationship (game) requires, they are bound to create conflicts. These conflicts result in serious stress and very poor success rates. For example, if a fully uniformed football player clamors onto a tennis court and operates under football rules with football skills by trying to tackle his opponents, he will create considerable conflicts and will undoubtedly fail at the game of tennis. The first step to succeeding at the "games of work" is to understand the objectives and rules of each game. The second step is to determine which game of work you are currently playing. The next step is to either adjust your work purposes and behaviors to suit the game you are playing or switch to the game you are best suited. Rules to Follow to Succeed at each "Game of Work" Lets discover the rules that must be followed to succeed at each "Game of Work." They are strikingly different. 1. Bureaucracy: Virtually all government and most corporate work relationships fall under this game of work. The rules of the bureaucracy game that participants must follow to succeed are as follows: A. Do what it takes to protect or expand their positions. B. Divert responsibility, and take credit for desirable results of others whenever possible; C. Attend to the wishes and desires of those who make decisions about promotions, salaries, and work positions first and foremost, even if it means placing the success of the organization a distant second. D. Recognize how little, if any, control they have over what their jobs will be and that they have little, if any job security. E. Recognize that they are compensated for basically showing up. 2. Partial Entrepreneurship: Commissioned salesmen, multilevel marketing members, franchisees, most professional sports players, and real estate agents operate within the game of Partial Entrepreneurship. The rules of the game that partial entrepreneurs must follow to succeed are as follows: A. Take responsibility for work performed and the results achieved in their specialized fields of work, but not for the total business, even though they frequently work within the umbrella of a larger organization. B. Focus their energies on performing in their chosen fields and much less on the wishes of any possible superiors, or to extracting favors from subordinates. C. They are compensated based upon the quality and quantity of the results they produce within their chosen areas of responsibility. D. They have more control over what their jobs will be and they have much more job security. 3. Business Ownership: Anyone who has controlling interest (and many times non controlling interest) in a business plays by this "game of work." The rules of the game that business owners must follow to succeed are as follows: A. Take full responsibility for their work performance and the success of their business. B. Learn to pass on as much credit as possible. C. Focus their energies first and almost exclusively on the success of the business D. They have full control over what their jobs will be and virtually total control over their own job security (whether they know it or not). E. They have no one in the organization to take orders from or to indulge, and they do not extract personal favors from subordinates that hinder the success of the business. F. They are in essence, compensated only from the profits of the business. Conclusion Once the above rules are understood, it becomes easy to recognize how important it is to play by the rules of the "game of work" you are participating in to succeed. For example, you will clearly struggle if you play by the rules of a bureaucracy, when you are operating as a business owner. The conditions and rules of each of the three "games of work" do not change. Either you change to match the "game," you are playing or you find and play in the "game of work" that best suits you. Michael Jordan, one of the best basketball players of all time, could not translate his huge basketball knowledge and skills into a successful baseball career. He proved that the knowledge and skills needed to succeed at the game of baseball are much different from those needed to succeed at the game of basketball. Yet, he thought he could easily master baseball, because he had been so good at basketball. And when he returned to basketball, he had to work extra hard to re-sharpen his basketball skills to his previous levels. Likewise, the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful Bureaucrat, Partial Entrepreneur, or Business Owner, are much different from each other. What work game are you participating in and are you playing by the appropriate rules? Provided as an educational service by Bill Dueease of The Coach Connection. You may receive a free copy of the article "Get Your Ideal Position: Go to Play Every Day" by contacting The Coach Connection at 800-887-7214 or 239-415-1777 or coaches@findyourcoach.com, or at http://www.findyourcoach.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Employment - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Be Prepared for the Unexpected How long has it been since you last had to search for a new job? These days it's not at all unusual to change careers or jobs several times in a lifetime. The idea of retiring from the same company after a lifetime of service is much less a reality in today's world than it was a couple of decades ago. 10 Tips For Writing A Winning Resume Your resume (or curriculum vitae), combined with the cover letter, are the master keys to opening the prospective employer's mind and door so that you can proceed to the next step in the process - the big interview!RESUME WRITING TIPS AND STRATEGIESHere are 10 valuable tips for anyone writing their own resume, or who is having someone else write one for them. These tips and strategies are an abridged version of what is contained in my new eBook, "Instant Home Writing Kit". Seeking Knowledge Will Give You Power What are you interested in? We all have a passion for something. So, what is your passion?Are you actively seeking information about your passion? Knowledge, providing it is correct knowledge, will increase your power. Tips For Surviving As A Corporate Refugee In her book "Are You A Corporate Refugee", Ruth Luban associates "corporate refugees" with refugees who never intend to leave their home country. People who are uprooted from the familiar terrain, customs and native language they've known for a very long time. How to Walk Away from an Opportunity thats Wrong for You Q. I just finished a job interview. What to Do if You are Over 40 and Have Lost Your Job Unexpectedly loosing your job can be a very traumatic and distressing experience at the best of times. If you are over 40 and can't find the job you deserve, you will need great inner strength and self belief to come out on top. Ode to a Spoon "Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have." --Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel (1907-1990)I have to admit it, I love spoons. Rekindling Passion for Work Passion comes in many forms. I'm focused on the version of passion that is "boundless enthusiasm". Drive Your Career Change - A Direct Approach If your career has gone off the road, take control and drive back to job satisfaction with a direct approach.When you're looking for that new job or a career move it's easy to think that 'they' hold all the cards. How to Track Your Right Career Are you lost in the wilderness when it comes to choosing a career? Once, we knew the way. As children, we played at different roles, but some became our favorites. Success at Work: Techniques: Computer Literacy It's hard to believe that there are people in today's workforce who don't know how to use a computer. In today's society, being computer illiterate is equivalent to being functionally illiterate. Look in the Mirror Take a moment to step outside yourself. Now, be honest with me here? If you could be your own boss, how would you rate your own performance in the last three months? Would you get a raise, a day off as a treat, or would a big and brawny security guy kindly escort you to the parking lot?In order to be an effective marketer and a progressive human being for that matter, you have to take a breather and look in the mirror. Writing a Must-Read Cover Letter If you want to land an interview, you'll need more than a perfectly polished resume, you'll also need a perfectly polished cover letter.A cover letter does more than provide a mere introduction, it gives the employer an opportunity to see why you are the right candidate for the job-before she even takes a look at your resume! By taking the time to customize a cover letter to each job opportunity, you can almost guarantee that your resume will get a good look instead of landing a permanent home in the circular file-or worse, the recycling bin. Keep Your Phone Costs Down! When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will change. You may not commute daily since you won't need a monthly commuter ticket, but each time you travel to an interview by public transportation, it will cost more. Job Hunting: Its Still The First Impression Stupid! In the 1992 USA Presidential election, political strategist James Carville hung a sign in Bill Clinton's Little Rock campaign office that read, "It's still the economy, stupid." His intent? Simply to keep everybody focused on the most important issue of the day. Work at Home Jobs Vs Self Employment Work at Home Jobs vs Owning a Home Based BusinessNot everyone is interested in owning their own home business, but a lot of people are interested in dropping out of the rat race a little bit. More and more jobs are available where you can work from home. Conduct An Informational Interview Informational interviews are designed to get as much information as you can about the industry and career you're seeking a job in from people who are already in that career.Many job seekers don't conduct informational interviews because the purpose of this type of interview is NOT to ask for a job. Tips for Requesting a Raise You probably think you deserve a raise. But does your boss think so?Here's how to go about convincing your boss that you're really worth more than you're being paid. Career Change: From Suits & Sales to Boots & Rails Peter Humleker had it made. As the general manager of a successful car dealership, he was earning an impressive income. Do More than Expected to Get Ahead One of the best things you can do to increase your career advancement opportunities where you work is to do more than expected.It's often not enough to just do a fine job and expect promotions now and then based on longevity.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
