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(CEO pay is once again in the news. And when that happens, I think of workers. Not employees. Workers.)
Once upon a time my formal title was "management consultant." The title gave me access to different work environments. And in these places I often saw strange and interesting behavior.
For example, I noticed how some factory workers, no matter how uncomfortable and unpleasant the work environment, appeared to take great pride in showing how well they could cope. And even be productive. (I admired them.)
And I noticed how some executives and other managers, no matter how uncomfortable and unpleasant the employee/worker environment, would take pride in their cushy corporate offices. (I did not always admire them.)
Today, older and wiser, I understand them better. Pride was just a way of rationalizing their predicament. In one case, awful conditions. In the other, inflated importance. (I now pity them, all.)
But, I wonder, what symbols of pride do I cling to? And why do I still need to make myself feel better?
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Your Friday Trigger Question:
Are you proud of your symbols of pride at work?
(What are your symbols of pride? Your corner office? The thickness of your carpet? Your cramped cubicle? Your noise cancelling headphones? The size of your inbox?)
Welcome to my side of the nonsense pride divide.