I went to work early today in order to attend one hour of Finance training. I was totally unprepared for the outcome: I felt really glad to be there. Finance is definitely not my idea of high excitement so my reaction was entirely unexpected. Except that it shouldn’t have been.
Learning something new and useful took me back in time to another life, one where I loved my job and felt proud of the work I did. It was an environment in which new staff were carefully and methodically trained, with skill and competence slowly built with a wonderful balance of independent learning and mentored support. And we never stopped being “new” - we continued to train as a matter of course in areas both directly and indirectly related to our roles, leaving us feeling strangely strong, confident and empowered.
It felt like doing just the right kind of workout at the gym, the one where you leave feeling tired yet energised all at the same time. You leave feeling like you own the world and could take on just about anything. That’s how I used to feel about my work, once upon a time.
Today I was struck by the sharp contrast between then and now. I am reminded that work really can be enriching, empowering and conducive to learning and skill development - all without overwhelm. We worked fewer hours with less stress, and yet we achieved so very much more, both professionally and personally. I mourn the loss of staff morale, teamwork, enthusiasm, dedication, innovation and pride. Death by “efficiency”.
Learning something new and useful took me back in time to another life, one where I loved my job and felt proud of the work I did. It was an environment in which new staff were carefully and methodically trained, with skill and competence slowly built with a wonderful balance of independent learning and mentored support. And we never stopped being “new” - we continued to train as a matter of course in areas both directly and indirectly related to our roles, leaving us feeling strangely strong, confident and empowered.
It felt like doing just the right kind of workout at the gym, the one where you leave feeling tired yet energised all at the same time. You leave feeling like you own the world and could take on just about anything. That’s how I used to feel about my work, once upon a time.
Today I was struck by the sharp contrast between then and now. I am reminded that work really can be enriching, empowering and conducive to learning and skill development - all without overwhelm. We worked fewer hours with less stress, and yet we achieved so very much more, both professionally and personally. I mourn the loss of staff morale, teamwork, enthusiasm, dedication, innovation and pride. Death by “efficiency”.