In Episode 17 of Happywork TV, I present the next commitment in my work code of conduct called “The Happywork Agreement.”
This one is made by employees to their employers. It goes like this: “I promise to ignore my job description every once in a while. In other words, my employer will not hear the words ‘That’s not my job’ come out of my mouth.”
In other areas of The Happywork Agreement, I encourage employers to shoot their employees straight – to tell them what you want, and when you want it. I advise employers to not leave employees in the dark; don’t make employees guess what’s important.
Of course, life is complicated, with many shades of gray, and here’s some more gray. As is my now-customary question to you guys, HAVE YOU EVER WORKED WITH someone who sits on their hands during extreme times of need because the task at hand is not part of their overall job description? There’s a crisis – the company is in need! Do you know what that means? Your fellow employees are in need, too! Work sucks until this big problem is solved. All hands on deck! But it’s not part of your job. Thanks for the help, Brah.
The needs of a company and the needs of a team CANNOT perfectly fit into a written job description. Of course uniquely-shaped problems will present themselves. Whatever will we do? We’ll sick our talented people on it! Now, those people are going to have to bend a little bit. They’re going to have to tackle some big thinking, some team-building, and some duties that were not on that job description they were handed a few years ago when they were hired.
Be helpful to the team! Don’t marry your job description – yes do your job, but cheat on that description when duty calls.
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IMPORTANT!
Happywork is available for pre-order on Amazon – HERE!
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