Three workers who were seeing doing similar things at a construction site, were approached with the question “what are you doing here?” The first responded, “I am a brick layer, I’m simply here to lay the bricks”, the second, seperately approached answered, “I’m here to build a house – see, here is the kitchen, here is the bedroom, on that spot will be the living room…”, and he went on and on. The third worker was also approached and gave an answer that will form a foundation of what we want to take a closer look at, and ponder on.
He responded, “I’m here to provide a home for orphans”. Same job, different perspectives. Who do you think will do the best job? Why?
A similar occurrence happened when a cleaner at NASA was once approached with the question above – What are you doing here? Without batting an eyelid, he responded, “My work is to help put a man on the moon.” Well that says a lot about the cleaner doesn’t it? But it says a lot more about the company, it is a company worth emulating that is able to distill it’s mission into the psychie of it’s employees.
One very crucial aspect of culture branding is distilling the company’s mission into the employees psychie. Whoever you are, you desire to do work that is meaningful. You desire to be a part of a noble course. Work is not interesting if it is all about crunching numbers or sounding nice. Every worthwhile company must enable it’s employees to give the minimum of the NASA cleaners response. A response that sees the total picture! At best, you must be able to answer like the 3rd person at the construction site, a response that understands the deep mission of the organization that you are working for.
So, what are you doing here? What is the effect of your work? Are you for the common good? Or does the result of your work minimize life, happiness or fulfillment for some others. Don’t decieve yourself, think about it. Every company has a mission! In case you are in doubt, I have a list of missions here for you to peruse, these companies stand for these things.
Walt Disney: To make people happy
Wal-Mart: To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same things as rich folk
3M: To solve unsolved problems innovatively
Merck: To preserve and improve human life
What are you doing there? You need to look at your work for it’s lenght and breath. Does your work ultimately add value or does it remove value? Are you a bricklayer, a house builder or a home provider? Are you a cleaner or are you helping to put a man on the moon? Are you a cashier or are you helping to make life easier for people? What is your job? What are you doing?
I think it is a good company that gives it’s people a sense of being a part of a bigger picture, and it is a great company that makes them believe they are part of a noble course. How does your company make you feel? How do you make your employees feel?
Seen the New Segment : Emotional Recharge
9 thoughts on “What are you doing here?”
I want to relate this to one of your write ups last week.It’s one thing for companies to make there mission known to the employees,it’s another thing for the employess to be interested and enthusistic about the company they work for and what it stands for.A situation where we have people who are “enduring” their works daily,even if they know the mission of their organisation,can they say it enthusistically?.
It is sad but true that most organizations in the country only have mission statements on paper but few are really driving this mission into and through their workforce.
Most times those who are supposed to cascade this mission (Management) and make it the company’s culture do not even understand it themselves.
I think looking at your work holistically, make you understand the value you are giving. We should begin to define what we do based on the value we are adding to the company or the society.
Deolu, thanks I’m begin to redefine what I’m doing here…..
Well spoken! Its a pity that very few organisations here have that mentality. They may have wonderfully written mission statements on paper but are they imprinted in the hearts of employees only then can they really deliver to their clients.
I have always known that your perception about things determine how well you perform. So, even if you seem not to be enjoying your workplace, it is your responsibility to have the right attitude. It is only then that you can succeed at that place.
Everyday I realise more and more that a dispassionate soul can never enjoy his/ her work because then work can never be fun. The person who doesn’t understand the underlying reasons for whatever he/she does is really only “existing” and not “living”. I personally have committed to doing only what my heart and soul connects with because there’s never any point deceiving self. Thanx for this, really enlightening
Well said……….i believe this is an important question we all need to ask ourselves not once but regularly.If we do this it will help to keep our attidude on check
You will definetly do your job better when you realise what your mission is
it is very important every company has a vision and mission statement. every one who works with the company will understand the vision, but into it and also help the company achieve it which is very crucail to the company’s growth and development.
great poser…but come to think of it, a lot of our business men today have mission statements that only aid their personal fulfillment without having place for national or human capacity development. i hope to see a day when people will do whatever they want but with the aim of national and human capacity development. we will get there!