YOUR JOB TODAY, THEIR JOB TOMORROW

"Young people are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and more fit for new projects than for settled business."

Francis Bacon 

16th century British statesman/philosopher

There is some cynicism in this, coming from a politician, but more raw truth than not.

If you are now older, presumably wiser, part of your job is to get maximum value from your more youthful employees. 

That and help them prepare to do the same for those who will one day succeed them.

Can I Help You?

"When a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching."

Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

19th century English politician

There is a time and place for lecturing, preaching to employees, but sometimes the more effective alternative is to simply help.

But as I often ask, how do we balance the need for each, particularly in those situations when there are many more employees needing help than we have time to give?

What Do You Know?

"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes."

Peter F. Drucker

20th century American author/educator/business consultant

Absolutely!

If your last "knowledge update" was completion of your undergraduate or post graduate degree 5, 10, 15, or 20+ plus years ago, you are out of date.

But it's never too late.

There is little value in an "educated person", whatever that is, but great value in one who is constantly being educated.

Which are you?

Continuing Education

"Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity."

Aristotle

3rd century Greek philosopher

We generally expect employees to come to work with their educations complete.

Should we?

Is there a set of circumstances where it makes sense for the company to offer/insist on continuing education?

Your Contribution?

"No person was ever honored for what he received.  He was honored for what he gave."

Calvin Coolidge

30th president of the United States

True in business as well and not just corporate charity.  How much of what, and to who, do you personally give in your work life?

Laziness: What Would Monty Burns Do?

"Look at them, Smithers. Goldbrickers.. Layabouts.. Slug-a-beds! Little do they realize their days of suckling at my teat are numbered."

Montgomery Burns
The Simpsons

Being a cartoon character Mr. Burns can simply fire those he feels are lazy "Slug-a-beds" but what about the rest of us? How do you determine what is acceptable performance and when you have an employee that does not meet that standard what do you do? I understand the need to document behavior prior to termination presuming it comes to that but I'm more interested in what (if?) you do to remedy the situation.