The Real Unsung Hero
I've finally decided to stop saying, "I'm too busy." It's an excuse for something else. Our language is peppered with busyness anecdotes such as, "You must be too busy" or "She's a busy bee." Another famous excuse is, "I was too busy to: call you, write your recommendation letter, call the dentist for an appointment, or 'you can fill in the blank for the task du jour .'
I recently had a photographic assignment at an organization's annual awards ceremony. It took place at a beautiful restaurant overlooking the water. Through the big picture window, I saw docked sailboats swaying in the wind. As I took another creative photograph, I was encouraged to hear the chief executive officer state one of his company's core values to be "people are our most valuable asset." He went on to say that they want to continue to become the company that is a magnet for inspired professionals.
I was encouraged by this executive's commitment to the employee. After the corporate speeches and goal setting, grateful employees received their 5-year, 10-year and even 15-year plaques. This company had awards for 'team player' and for an 'unsung hero.' The introduction to the unsung hero started with, "he comes in early, he stays later than everyone else, he asks for more work, and when his manager wanted to make his workload lighter, this employee fought to keep his extra work." I was confused. The unsung hero award went to an employee who in many ways is becoming less of a valuable asset by working too many hours.
According to economists Barry Bluestone and Stephen Rose, middle income families now work four months more in 2003 than they did in 1979! It's easy to pinpoint this increase to the demands of the job and to many an employee trying to capture their company 'unsung hero' awards. But in order for people to actually be the most valuable asset, there needs to be honest communication about what is unacceptable behavior. A company who subtly rewards employees for 'the work above all else' mentality will experience reduced productivity and have employees leave due to stress and burnout. Would a racehorse owner overwork a prized Thoroughbred? Definitely not! It would jeopardize the owner's investment by causing an injury or lowered performance. Then why would a company encourage this 'overwork' ethic? It is counterproductive and a poor investment strategy.
In addition, Time Magazine stated that the cost of medical plans was up 11 percent in 2001 and 15 percent in 2002. Employees are being asked to pay a greater and greater share of their medical deductions while they are being asked to work more. I find it to be more than a coincidence that the cost of our health plans has increased alongside the increase in our working hours or busyness. It's no wonder that the more busy we are, the less time we have to work on the other areas of our life that not only keep us happy and healthy, but make us a more valuable asset to our companies.
While I had two assignments on this particular day, I made sure that I took the morning of the next day off. I refused to be 'too busy' and instead, went to the gymnasium and took the time to prepare a proper lunch. I finished the remainder of the day with a renewed sense of energy and an increase in my focus all the while being more balanced. If a company truly sees their employees as the most valuable asset or as an investment, then organizations need to give their 'unsung hero' awards to those employees who display more creativity and balance. Rewarding this behavior actually maintains the highest value of the individual and subsequently the organization. It leads to an increase in productivity and profits. It is time we work less to achieve more so that the balance in our lives will be a magnet to attract other unsung hero's.
I recently had a photographic assignment at an organization's annual awards ceremony. It took place at a beautiful restaurant overlooking the water. Through the big picture window, I saw docked sailboats swaying in the wind. As I took another creative photograph, I was encouraged to hear the chief executive officer state one of his company's core values to be "people are our most valuable asset." He went on to say that they want to continue to become the company that is a magnet for inspired professionals.
I was encouraged by this executive's commitment to the employee. After the corporate speeches and goal setting, grateful employees received their 5-year, 10-year and even 15-year plaques. This company had awards for 'team player' and for an 'unsung hero.' The introduction to the unsung hero started with, "he comes in early, he stays later than everyone else, he asks for more work, and when his manager wanted to make his workload lighter, this employee fought to keep his extra work." I was confused. The unsung hero award went to an employee who in many ways is becoming less of a valuable asset by working too many hours.
According to economists Barry Bluestone and Stephen Rose, middle income families now work four months more in 2003 than they did in 1979! It's easy to pinpoint this increase to the demands of the job and to many an employee trying to capture their company 'unsung hero' awards. But in order for people to actually be the most valuable asset, there needs to be honest communication about what is unacceptable behavior. A company who subtly rewards employees for 'the work above all else' mentality will experience reduced productivity and have employees leave due to stress and burnout. Would a racehorse owner overwork a prized Thoroughbred? Definitely not! It would jeopardize the owner's investment by causing an injury or lowered performance. Then why would a company encourage this 'overwork' ethic? It is counterproductive and a poor investment strategy.
In addition, Time Magazine stated that the cost of medical plans was up 11 percent in 2001 and 15 percent in 2002. Employees are being asked to pay a greater and greater share of their medical deductions while they are being asked to work more. I find it to be more than a coincidence that the cost of our health plans has increased alongside the increase in our working hours or busyness. It's no wonder that the more busy we are, the less time we have to work on the other areas of our life that not only keep us happy and healthy, but make us a more valuable asset to our companies.
While I had two assignments on this particular day, I made sure that I took the morning of the next day off. I refused to be 'too busy' and instead, went to the gymnasium and took the time to prepare a proper lunch. I finished the remainder of the day with a renewed sense of energy and an increase in my focus all the while being more balanced. If a company truly sees their employees as the most valuable asset or as an investment, then organizations need to give their 'unsung hero' awards to those employees who display more creativity and balance. Rewarding this behavior actually maintains the highest value of the individual and subsequently the organization. It leads to an increase in productivity and profits. It is time we work less to achieve more so that the balance in our lives will be a magnet to attract other unsung hero's.