tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16766354.post2388761685054713964..comments2023-06-13T00:56:08.694-07:00Comments on Dancing to Dirges: What currency is there other than time?Tim Akershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01749644135364065658noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16766354.post-54577364960312650582010-08-03T08:29:56.113-07:002010-08-03T08:29:56.113-07:00Matt, this is precisely the problem. People work t...Matt, this is precisely the problem. People work these hours and make these sacrifices with no real recompense. And there's a strict rule about working 40 hours every week, and eight hours every day. Staying late today doesn't mean you can come in late tomorrow, or ever. Part of that comes from the fact that the owner doesn't trust anyone with flex time.<br /><br />Anyway. It's a troublesome situation, but I'm a little short on options right now. Something will come of it, eventually.Tim Akershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01749644135364065658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16766354.post-77064370311974389522010-08-03T07:56:11.137-07:002010-08-03T07:56:11.137-07:00I think the company does value employee time, and ...I think the company does value employee time, and that value is quantifiable - how much each employee is paid. I think the issue is one of management. In my current job, I often work hours such as the ones you described. However, I also get comp time and a lot of leeway on scheduling, as well as bonuses when we do well.<br /><br />If you're uncompensated for that effort, then your take is absolutely correct - there's no reason to make the additional effort. Plus doing so marks you as someone who values your own time LESS than the company, because what you are doing is, in effect, lowering your pay.<br /><br />Lazy and smart people are by far the most useful employees, because they become more productive through systemic improvements, rather than blunt effort. If you're in a place that doesn't put a premium on systemic improvements, then you've got a problem. :)Matt Drewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16766354.post-28025299308581526902010-07-27T12:29:57.658-07:002010-07-27T12:29:57.658-07:00This is my favorite thing everThis is my favorite thing everTim Akershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01749644135364065658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16766354.post-61951159156098365322010-07-27T08:48:03.608-07:002010-07-27T08:48:03.608-07:00That reminds me a lot of Helmuth von Moltke's ...That reminds me a lot of Helmuth von Moltke's classification of officers, and how the ideal military officer was the lazy and smart, while the energetic types were a danger. <br /><br />"According to historical legend, von Moltke divided his entire German officer corps into one of four distinct categories: the mentally dull and the physically lazy, the mentally dull and the physically energetic, the mentally bright and the physically energetic and the mentally bright and the physically lazy.<br /><br />Those identified as the mentally dull and physically lazy were obviously not on the fast track to promotion to the general staff or anyplace else. Still, there are in life repetitive and unchallenging tasks that need to be performed that members of this sub-group can usefully discharge.<br /><br />The single most dangerous von Moltke type in any organization, military or civilian, is the mentally dull and physically energetic. Here is found the hapless but tireless individual who, having fouled up three assignments long before lunch, cheerfully searches for new mistakes to make. He requires constant adult supervision and is not a candidate for retention, let alone promotion.<br /><br />The mentally bright and physically energetic officer was destined not to become a commanding officer of the German General Staff, but instead to be a staff officer. According to military scholar Dennis Showalter, professor of history at Colorado College and visiting professor at West Point and the Air Force Academy, this type is "bright enough to see the fourth side of any three-sided problem ... manifestly smart but with an irresistible inclination to micromanage."<br /><br />All of this leaves the mentally bright and the physically lazy for promotion to the general staff and a position of ultimate command. Here is the officer who is mentally bright enough to determine exactly what must be done and yet lazy enough to figure out the easiest, least complicated way to do it. By definition, this type does not immerse himself in details. He is able to delegate."<br /><br />Pity you are not in von Moltke's staff.Psychophanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06692326818539793110noreply@blogger.com