Beware: Reading this article may be dangerous to old ways of thinking. When
I originally wrote this article in 1994, these ideas seemed radical to some.
Now that I look back, these ideas don't seem that way at all. With today's
economy and lack of long term support by many organizations for their
people, it's more important then ever before to take responsibility for
one's life. I revised and added new thoughts to this article reflecting
where the world of work is today and what you can do to control your own
destiny towards your vocational passion !
Change used to be controllable for employees and their employers.
Things don't seem familiar any more!
Work was controllable, done in one place at a certain time by certain
people.
Customers in fact were fairly certain too. It usually took a crisis for
change to occur if at all.
Work in fact in the good old days, say thirty years ago consisted of making
things. In fact over 50 percent of the workers back then were making things.
In another thirty years, some estimates are only ten percent of the workers
will be making things... We will have in affect, a thinking group of
workers. Well, that's fine you ask, what about now. American business
culture still is driven largely by the we win, you lose mentality. Job
security is dead. Loyalty from employers to their people is nearly gone.
Employees are wondering as well, who is really looking out for them.
Outplacement services are up in record numbers. Revolving doors swing
throughout this nation. Employers outplace employees, a kinder 2003 term for
fire, only to realize in many cases a need to rehire a short time later.
The cycle then starts again, loss of human potential, increased hiring
costs, recruitment, section, orientation and training. With merit pay, cost
of living increases on the decline, promotion raises harder to achieve, what
can employees do to regain control over their vocational lives and develop?
There are trends to be aware and take action on now.
