Masks

Last evening while driving back from work was listening to a local radio channel and the conversation between the RJ and listeners revolved around recession and what will they do should they be made redundant. Interesting topic and very topical too. I tried several times to reach the channel but realized I am not those lucky few who manage to get across live on air. I so wished to air that during this difficult phase most of our work colleagues, line managers sport a different mask which makes the environment less flexible, less desirable, less motivating to work. Thought of deciphering many such masks which we come across these days

The Brownies: they look at every opportunity to score a brownie point to the line manager – so much so that they even export their ring tones via Bluetooth and save it for the bosses calls. Such is the extent that they even volunteer to park the managers car to ensure they are considered as dependable

I am busy: this is more a recent phenomenon. Most of them do not attend any meetings and the excuse being I am busy. Urgent report to our global office, report to the bosses . Agree perceptions lead to belief – well said by Maslow in his behavioral model

Hyper Mask: PR spin doctors must take a lesson or two from them. They project as if the institution stands on them, very busy always on the phone and always on the move. Never answers to mails or calls. Their net contribution is zero but the overall perception is significantly excellent

Late Nighters: they virtually do nothing during the course of the day but ensure they send all the day’s work through series of mails till late at night ensuring to copy relevant people to manage their roles and performances

Influencers: nepotism does exist in almost all work places. These people wear their god fathers mask and move across the office. You can’t touch them – if the role is made redundant then they move on to another significant role within the organization

Motivators: between all these masks there are still people who believe in working on old school theory. Work hard and leave the rest to the almighty. They speak with conviction and use carefully drafted messages to their team members. They still exist but sure as time progresses they would change their style of masks as they say if you cannot beat them join them

Top of it we have these rating agencies like Moody’s who publish scary reports of the economy which make even Murphy look like an angel.

In testing times hard work and integrity should endure

God Bless