That IS my job

Have you ever heard someone say “that’s not my job”? Have you ever said it? If so, why? Why isn’t that your job? Is it because you believe the job is beneath you? Maybe you don’t think it is your responsibility or maybe, you aren’t qualified to do it. Regardless of the reason, I ask you this- who’s job is it? Are you incapable of doing it, or just unwilling? If you are not qualified or incapable, then maybe try to find someone who is. If, however, you are just unwilling, then you are the problem at your job.

One of the big problems in our society today is that it seems as if everyone says that these days- “that’s not my job.” What if it was, though? What if you made it your job? What if you just did whatever needed to be done to get the job completed? Have you ever thought to yourself that the reason you are stuck in the same position for years, is because you refuse to be a team player? Companies don’t care who does what individual task, just as long as the job gets done. As long as the Harley-Davidson manufacturing plants meet the production quota by their deadlines, CEO Jochen Zeitz doesn’t give a damn if the assembly foreman took over for one of his line workers for a half a day, so that the worker could leave early for their kid’s recital… all that matter is that the job got done. You know who it matters to? The guy who got to see his kid dance in the recital or the mom who got to watch her kid play in the game. It matters to the kids whose parents were there and it matters to the families of the employee whose boss stepped up and did a job that was “not their job”. That’s how a proper leader, supervisor or manager should be. No job should ever be beneath you… because even if we didn’t start at the bottom, we could all end up there. 

As for me, I work the hardest for the people who are “below” me. You read that right. I’m not trying to impress my bosses, I’m trying to do what’s best for the people who work for me. The people under you are the ones holding you up. They are the ones that matter. There are three kinds of people above you; 1- those very few that are trying to pull you up; 2- those that are content in leaving you where you are; and 3- those that are so intimidated by you, that they are actively trying to keep you down. When you leave your job, your company will still be there, your position will be filled with someone else and the only thing that anyone will remember about you, is how you treated them. 

Great bosses don’t serve the best interest of their bosses- great bosses serve the best interest of their workers. That’s what makes them great.

I’d rather be known as someone who was willing to put up with the shit with my people, than be known as someone who kissed the asses that were shitting on them. If everyone would be willing to work a little harder, do a little more, and do the jobs that aren’t necessarily “in their job description” in order to complete the mission, meet the deadlines, reach the quotas or just get the job done… this world would be a much better place. 

So I leave you with this- What are you willing to do, to make this world better for everyone in it? Are you willing to do what needs to be done, to get the job done? Are you willing to be the leader that you wish you had?

Ride safe and make the right choices for those you serve.