Ducks In A Row: Who Cares?
by Miki Saxon
I’m hearing the same lament from a lot of managers these days; the words and circumstances are different, but it boils down to the same thing—s/he has the knowledge, but doesn’t do anything.
It’s not just younger workers, but all ages.
The current term is “unengaged” and the problem is rampant.
Most managers who call don’t use that term, they complain that people just don’t care. They don’t care about doing more than the minimum; they don’t care about doing great work, instead of just adequate; they don’t care how the company is doing; the list of ‘they don’t care’ goes on and on.
They all see this as a problem with the people they hire.
They ask me where to source good candidates; how to better interview, so they can hire “people who give a damn.”
Some complain that the so-called entitled attitude of Millennials has spread to all ages.
These managers are a disparate group; they come from different industries and range from management newbies to senior executives, but they all have one thing in common.
None of them sees “not giving a damn” as a result of the way they manage, but 98% of the time it is.
So the next time someone you know (or you) complains about people not caring, suggest they ask the only person who really knows the answer—the one they will find in the mirror.
Flickr image credit: antkriz
July 5th, 2011 at 2:36 am
Ouch, but yes. Love your pragmatic perspectives. Thanks, Miki!
July 5th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Yeah, truth hurts. Ever notice how it’s “all about me” unless/until something doesn’t work and then it’s “all abut them.”
Thanks for stopping by, Anna, I appreciate your adding your thoughts!
August 6th, 2011 at 3:22 am
[…] employees who care. Miki Saxon finds a solution to the problem by flipping the issue on its head in Ducks In a Row: Who Cares? at MAPping Company […]
August 7th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
[…] Miki Saxon’s Ducks In a Row: Who Cares? A classic example of one of Jason’s favorite (and my) cognitive biases – the Fundamental […]
January 31st, 2012 at 3:02 pm
I don’t see this as a standard solution. It’s not always the employer’s fault, nor is it always the employee who is mistaken. It all depends. What we must do is what this article tries to do – find a solution to why things don’t work, talk to the ones that are hired and find out what’s wrong. Maybe when they’ll see their opinion matters, they’ll feel less lazy.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Your comment reinforces my point. Before managers are willing to “talk to the ones that are hired and find out what’s wrong” they need to be open to the responses, which means they need to be open to the possibility that they are part of the problem.
Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts.
May 16th, 2012 at 1:17 am
[…] I wrote last year, caring begets caring and the actions that show you care aren’t found in compensation […]
June 15th, 2012 at 1:17 am
[…] People whose voices aren’t heard have little reason to be care. […]
September 1st, 2012 at 6:49 am
nice article
September 3rd, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Thanks.