Good morning and happy Monday!
Ready for more reasons why the attitude that goes along with, “That’s not my job,” may not be so great for your career?
“That’s Not My Job! (It May Not Be for Long)
…continued…
…Teamwork is an essential part of working for lawyers (or working for anyone for that matter). Take a trip to your local library and check out a few biographies on those who have made it to the top of their professions. Almost all of them started at the very bottom and to this day still perform what could be considered ‘menial’ tasks. In fact, most entrepreneurs are what are described as ‘systems thinkers’. What is a systems thinker? A systems thinker is one who intuits and sees the whole of a thing, the entirety of it, the oneness of it, the integrated unity of it, as opposed to merely the sum of its parts. A systems thinker:
- Transcends the world in order to transform it
- Is an inventor as opposed to an engineer
- Sees purpose in everything and sees the system as the realization of the purpose
- Sees meaning in everything and, if not, pursues everything until the meaning becomes clear, until the system reveals itself in all its glory
- Is possessed by the meaning of things
The third quality of a systems thinker is that the person ‘sees purpose in everything and sees the system as the realization of the purpose’. Again, no job should be too small to perform and what is good for the part is good for the whole. Everyone benefits!
Interestingly enough, when polled, most lawyers and firm administrators prefer a positive attitude over experience when considering hiring a prospective new employee. Individuals can learn to perform a particular task; however, attitude is not necessarily something that can be taught.
I’d like to conclude by encouraging. Make your mark! Take charge and ingest the concept of ‘no task too small’! Don’t be a work snob but instead be a team player. You may be pleasantly surprised at the benefits you reap from such a change of heart. If that’s not enough incentive to evoke a change, consider this: the next time the desire to utter the words ‘That’s not my job’ overcome you, remember, with an attitude like that, it may not be for long.”
Contact me if your office needs legal training. Here’s to a great career!