What's Wrong with Work?

Re-writing the Rules

As you know this blog is really about work and, specifically, what is wrong with it and how to fix it.

However, what I was really trying to do in the book and now in this blog is to reconsider what work is. In other words, I think we need to re-write the rules of work. The ones we have today largely don't work.

Today I watched a fantastic film on Ted.com presented by a married couple intent on doing that same with Parenthood. They have set about challenging the rules of parenting, in particular the lies parents tell one another which actually get in the way of enjoying being a parent (and, I imagine, get in the way of enjoying being a kid!).

Whether you have children or not, you may enjoy this film simply because it destroys the myths of parenthood and replaces them with common sense...which as we all know is not that common.

Imagine if we could do the same with the workplace? I would love to know what you consider are the lies or myths about the workplace and how we might start re-writing the rules, just as this couple are doing in their world. Click here.

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What does "Act Boldly" mean to me today? It means keeping on keeping on.

Often, when we are faced with a big challenge, those little voices in our heads go in to overdrive. Can it be done? Are you capable of doing it? Will it work? Or won't it?

It seems to me that the way to deal with these voices is, on occassion, to simply ignore them. Who has the time to listen to that kind of distraction?

Just keep on keeping on and, who knows, maybe that great idea you've got will work...and maybe you are the perfect person to pull it off!

Spotted

I've been travelling a lot recently, which basically involves taking things out and putting things in your suitcase repeatedly and figuring out how the hotel room television works. However, on the plus side I did see copies of my new book, What's Wrong with Work? in a number of airport WHSmiths stores.

  

This is great for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it means that the book is out there for anyone to see and, hopefully, be inspired by.

Secondly, it gives me a sense of pride. 

We often work with teams who are achieving extraordinary things (and are capable of even more). Yet they don't recognise what they are and what they do. I am talking about very senior people who run huge organisations who forget that they have influence, experience, ideas and the power to do something with it.

Perhaps it is cultural but it seems in this country we have forgotten how special we are. A reminder - a simple photograph of some books on a book shelf, a thank you from a colleague, a thoughtful gift or a memento of a special moment - may seem unnecessary for adults who, presumably are above needing a pat on the back.

But given how critical and, I go so far as to say, ignorant most people are about how talented, special and worthy they are, maybe these little reminders are more powerful than we give them credit for.

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