Lencioni's Three Signs of a Miserable Job


Yesterday I shared some invaluable thoughts from General Colin Powell. Sunday I shared some wisdom from one of the most passionate church leaders of our time, Pastor Bill Hybels.

Well after the calm, refined delivery of Colin Powell, the Global Leadership Summit planning team must have decided it would be a great time to shake things up a bit.

And onto stage walked the most energetic and hyperactive speaker I think I know. And yet he is one of my favorite speakers ever. He's none other than Patrick Lencioni, who is committed to helping organizations become as healthy as they can be. Love the man.

Patrick Lencioni

So with no further ado... I present:

Patrick Lencioni's Three Signs of a Miserable Job:

1. Anonymity

In Genesis 16, Hagar suffers greatly after she discovers she is pregnant with Abraham's child. Sarah's bitterness and jealously drives Hagar away from home and into the desert. When the Lord speaks to Hagar and promises her hope and a future, she exclaims, "You are the God who sees me. I have now seen the One who sees me."

We all long to be seen. We all long to be more than a number, a nameless face, a body sitting in a cubicle.

The best thing an employer can do for his employees is to "see" them. Know their names. Know their spouse's names. Their children's names. And make the time to care for them, not just their work.

According to Lencioni, "Good people don't leave jobs where they're known." 

2. Irrelevance

Everyone wants their life to count and make a difference. We need more than a paycheck or a slap on the back for a job well done. Those things are great and important.

But we need to matter.

"If you don't think your job makes someone's life better somewhere, you feel irrelevant," says Lencioni.

Too true.

3. Immeasurement

Once we know we're seen and valuable, we need to be able to measure that value. 

How much do I really bring to the table? How well am I doing my job? Am I meeting the expectations of my boss(es) or leader?

There's no frustration like taking an important test, yet never receiving a grade for it. Did I pass? Did I fail? Can I make any improvements?

These are vital questions and must be answered to turn a miserable job into a fulfilling one.


Based on these three criteria, is it time to pray about your next job? Or can you encourage this kind of healthy culture right where you are? Think about it!

Comments

  1. YvonneAugust 21, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    This is GOOD stuff!!! What wonderful workplaces we could have if employers genuinely followed these criteria. Thanks for sharing. I heard so many great things about this conference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. carlaahendricksAugust 21, 2013 at 5:12 PM

      Thank you Yvonne!!! I agree wholeheartedly. This conference is wonderful. Plan to attend next year, if you can!

      Delete

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