I remember getting reprimanded in the second week of my first job after college. I was hired on as a design engineer for a material handing company – think robotic cranes and airport conveyers. My supervisor sent me an email, although he sat on the other side of the cubical.
He called me out for consistently showing up late to work. The trouble was I didn't know I was being late. I didn't even know there was a specific time to start. Apparently I was supposed to be at the office ready to go at 7:30 am. I saw other engineers coming into work until 9:00 am. I had figured 8:00 am was a good start time.
I felt so frustrated that no one bothered to tell me that I was expected to be at the office at a certain time. The last thing I wanted to do was come across as a slacker at my new job.
Weeks later I chatted with my boss, who was also the boss of my supervisor. He asked if there was anything they could improve with integrating me as a new hire. I said, "Yeah, knowing what is expected of me." Then, I went into my little story.
My boss responded that he actually was very ok with how I found out when I was suppose to be at the office. I couldn't believe it. Really? That didn't make any sense to me. Was I the only one with some reason? You always need to communicate expectations.
It wasn't until last week in the ELP meeting that my boss' response actually started to make sense.
Tim Abare asked if job descriptions are a good thing or a bad thing for leaders. It sounded like a trick question.
Of course job descriptions are great. They lay out all the expectations. You are told what to do and you do what you are told. Everyone is happy.
But there had to be a reason for Tim to bring up the question.
My wheels started turning. And then, an epiphany hit me like a camera flash in a dark room.
Job descriptions limit leaders.
They cage you in like a bird meant to soar.
Each description is like an iron bar restricting expansion.
Tim continued, "If I had a job description I could fulfill it in two days. Then, what am I suppose to do?"
He made a profound point.
Leaders need to daily define their jobs. A leader is always moving into uncharted territories. Confronting things that weren't even known as obstacles. A leader needs the freedom to make decisions and do the work that best promotes the mission of the organization.
As well meaning and safe as job descriptions are they can also squelch creativity, initiative, and leadership.
I think my boss was getting to this point. He didn't want to spoon-feed me a diet of expectations. He wanted me to discover the way of a leader. Even though my supervisor had an expectation my boss wanted me to feel the freedom to define my job. I chose to keep my supervisor happy by coming in at 7:30 am.
Are you taking advantage of daily defining your job? Or are you waiting for someone else to tell you what to do?
