Comments on: Market-Related Bullshit

By: Ross

Ross — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Perhaps I should have used the phrase “want to” rather than “can”.

There are plenty of people that don’t have the drive to excel in life, and they can fill the role of envelope filler, dish washer or whatever else they can get without any immense pressure.

Company owners can still employ these people, but they’re more dispensable and certainly not mission critical in the business’ interests.

Kinda optimistic and a bit naive thinking that everyone is going to want to excel in life. The word “deadbeat” was invented for a reason.

By: Nokadota

Nokadota — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:18:17 +0000

This post and the comments were all spot-on, thanks for this. I will bookmark this to refer to in the future.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:17:02 +0000

Well said, Rob.

By: Rob Schultz

Rob Schultz — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:36:53 +0000

Yet another spot-on statement, Fred. Remember, we’re talking about the workplace. I have friends that don’t aspire to move up within their company and look at me like I’m a leper when I tell then I can’t go out on a Friday night because of business obligations. They’re awesome people and I wouldn’t trade them for anything, but they’re not the kind of people that I’d want to start a business with. In the working world, it’s important to surround yourself with people that are better than you, that push you, that make you want to push yourself. I think that’s more the point of this post.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:34:30 +0000

@Ross, @Adam I strongly disagree with you both. Everyone can be exceptional at something, I’m a bit flabbergasted at the very concept that some people are going to suck based on… what… genetics? Environment? Geography? How do you possibly back up that statement?

Let me rephrase. How can you truly believe some people can’t be exceptional? It’s absurd. Just as we can all be mediocre at many things, there may be one or two things we can exceed at in reference to the general populace.

Perhaps “not everyone *chooses* to be exceptional” would be more appropriate because, that is really what separates the people Adii is talking about from the crop. Being exceptional is much more a conscious decision to follow your bliss than it is an inherent quality.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:55:28 +0000

Not everyone can be exceptional however you can push people to their hidden potential. Well done. Great post.

By: Ross

Ross — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:47:59 +0000

What about the average people?

Not everyone can be exceptional, but they can provide a role where they’re needed.

Some positions don’t need exceptional people.

I’m not saying I disagree with you, but felt the approach a bit black and white… don’t forget the grays

By: Rob Schultz

Rob Schultz — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:10:43 +0000

Like everyone before me has said, your little rant has hit the nail square on the head. It’s time for Corporations to wake up and take notice that average people aren’t what we need. In every place I have ever worked I have always come in under a specific job description, but was quickly pulled in to add value in other areas of the business based upon my varying past experiences. It made my employers happy and gave me the freedom to work outside of the silos that so many people find themselves in.

Great post/rant. Exactly the kind of thing I like to read before I kick start my morning.

By: Etienne

Etienne — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:34:21 +0000

In the ideal world – I agree. Deciding on staff often depends on the requirement – you’re not going to hire a ’superstar’ for a supermarket cashier position due to cost/benefits. Here’s to ideals *cheers, tips glass*

By: JohnONolan

JohnONolan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:16:21 +0000

Totally agree! Another angle is if you’re willing to take someone who’s NOT exceptional but who you see a lot of potential in, and MAKE them exceptional.