#working with aloha

[rosasay]

The test of a mission is rather simple: Does it get you to jump out of bed in the morning, eager to start your day’s work, or not?

[rosasay]

Tagline: At first, the ability to check email, read ESPN, or browse Zappos while on the job may feel like a luxury. But in time, many crave more meaningful—and more demanding—responsibilities.

Two years ago a civil servant in the German town of Menden wrote a farewell message to his colleagues on the day of his retirement stating that he had not done anything for 14 years. “Since 1998,” he wrote, “I was present but not really there. So I’m going to be well prepared for retirement—Adieu.” The e-mail was leaked to Germany's Westfalen-Post and quickly became world news. The public work ethic had been wounded and in the days that followed the mayor of Menden lamented the incident, saying he “felt a good dose of rage.”

The municipality of Menden sent out a press release regretting that the employee never informed his superiors of his inactivity. In a lesser-known interview with the German newspaper Bild a month later, the former employee responded that his e-mail had been misconstrued. He had not been avoiding work for 14 years; as his department grew, his assignments were simply handed over to others. “There never was any frustration on my part, and I would have written the e-mail even today. I have always offered my services, but it’s not my problem if they don’t want them,” he said.

There is no doubt: Good management matters. To count solely on employee initiative, and then lament at their annual performance review, doesn't cut it.

Brings these back to mind for me too, as point and counterpoint: (links to the Managing with Aloha archives)

Hana ‘eleau: Working in the Dark

People Who Do Good Work