Rewarding Work Performance

The American worker, one of the “fundamentals” of our economy, is often referred to as innovative and hardworking.  That’s a wonderful thing to say, but how is it rewarded?  I’ve seen time and again that so much of our society lives to work rather than working to live.  Think about the last time you were with a mixed group of people where you didn’t know everyone.  What’s probably the first or second question that’s always asked?  “What do you do?”  Sadly, it’s not “what do you do for fun?” or “what do you do that makes you smile?”  Instead we’re preoccupied with what is people do to pay the bills.  As if anyone really enjoys thinking of those.  I digress.

My favorite reward for great performance has to be when you’re told you did such a good job that we’re going to heap more responsibilities upon you.  Or, you did such a great job with a difficult project that you’re now rewarded with being assigned the latest cluster %$&#.  That makes a person feel really valued, right?  No, I do NOT believe that.  I was being completely sarcastic.  I would agree that being assigned the difficult projects is basically demonstrating their confidence in your work.  However, at what point is it determined that other rewards are necessary?  Everyone always thinks of monetary rewards — who wouldn’t like to find bigger numbers on their pay check?  But what about rewarding great work with additional vacation time?

When you’ve spent weeks, months, or even years going from one stressful assignment to another is money really what you need?  I would say that perhaps some, but more importantly would be time off.  That allows a person to relax, step back, and focus their energy on things that make a difference in their lives.  It could be spending time with family or friends, visiting somewhere new, or whatever.  I have a few clients that after every four years you work for them you must take a mandatory 3 month sabbatical.  Seriously, you are required to be away from work for 3 straight months; no email, no voicemail, etc.  You’re even stripped of your Blackberry.  (I can see you Crackberry addicts clutching your chests!)  I think that’s probably one of the greatest ideas I’ve ever heard and wished would be implemented at my own company.  Heck, every company!

I’m not sure where I’m headed with this.  Perhaps some of the problems that face society today might be resolved if we just took a vacation.  Clocked out, turned off our phones, computers and asked, “Who am I?”  Not, “What do I do?”

As an aside…

Do you ever think your writing is more passionate and meaningful when you’re riding high on an emotion?  That could be anger, joy, fear, whatever.  I sometimes think that but then you might come back to it a few hours, days, or weeks later and think it’s total bollocks.  I’m riding the waves right now.  I wonder if my rambling will be believed to be insightful?  Yeah, it’s probably bollocks.  I don’t know if it relieves any of my anger and frustration, but it kinda feels good.