Multiple skills and talents
August 29, 2004
There are those of us who are right-brained and those of us who are left-brained, just as there are people more involved in logistics than aesthetics. That is, you might be the best mime in the world but not the greatest public speaker.
It doesn’t have to stay that way however. Before he was famous, Rush Limbaugh worked at a local radio station. In an effort to work his way to the top he made sure he did everything, even if it wasn’t in his job description. He cleaned toilets, brought donuts and coffee to fellow workers and even mopped the floors. The payoff was that Rush climbed the ladder of success and was promoted to station manager. When you hear someone complain about emptying the trash at work, think of Rush and think of what impression you might make on someone, higher level or not.
In this day and age we have to bring a handful of skills to the table, however menial they might seem to be. You might be surprised to learn that Kevin Spacey can dance and sing, but not so much when you realize actors and actresses usually perform in many capacities. Dressed for success is one thing, doing something that isn’t in your job description is another. You might be the best-looking man in the room, but if you aren’t willing to go above and beyond, forget it. Who needs a Joe Schmoe with limited skills when a Jack Shpack not only refills the paper towel dispensers and shovels the icy front entrance but manages to also do what’s in his job description.
Refrain from being one-dimensional when it comes to your skills, think outside the “job description” box and you’ll find that learning new skills brings more to your plate. In the end you’ll be a well-rounded employee not afraid to help with answering phones on occassion or cleaning out the refridgerator at your workplace.
13 comments
In other words, overspecialize and you commit yourself to becoming obsolete.
by chopsocky on August 30, 2004 at 12:04 am. #
I’m thankful I was a janitor for 6 years before working a typical 8–5 office job. Now when I hear people complaining about having to work in a cubicle, I just roll my eyes and think back to the days of stripping and waxing floors.
Here at work I’ve been known to answer the phones for the secretary when she’s in meetings. It doesn’t bother me because I love using my DJ voice when people call, makes me sound like Mr. Moviephone.
by kartooner on August 30, 2004 at 8:45 am. #
I try to learn something new everyday, even if it’s something as simple as a new Excel trick. You never know when you may to change jobs.…I like to think that things could always be worse; I could still be working at a gas station, or at Wal-Mart, or cutting grass.
by Chad on August 30, 2004 at 12:55 pm. #
Wow, very nice write up. I just hope when I get my job I remember this
.
by Scott on August 30, 2004 at 2:31 pm. #
Chad: How was the experience working for a gas station? I always pity those individuals but not as much as toll booth attendents, especially the guy in T2.
by kartooner on August 30, 2004 at 3:29 pm. #
Rush also once asked his assistant to shovel the snow on the front walk of the radio station — the assistant refused saying he wasn’t hired to shovel snow, to which Rush fired the young man and then went out and shoveled the snow himself.
Do what it takes to get the job done, as long as its not illegal or immoral…end of story.
by Dad on August 31, 2004 at 12:56 am. #
Aahhh…memories. That actually was a halfway decent job, with the exception of the losers and thiefs you have to deal with on a daily basis. I worked there on and off for about 2 years. I had a great boss and coworkers, so that helped. It was in Starkville, MS while I was in school. I never got robbed, but had gas stolen plenty of times. Also busted little kids for stealing, and after I threw them out and banned them, their mothers would come back screaming at me,and then I’d throw them out. Had some frat boys steal a cardboard Coor’s Light life-size standup of John Wayne one night, but the cops found them and my boss made them clean out the carwash and trash cans and clean the gas pumps with toothbrushes; it was funny. All in all, a good job with decent pay for the work, and plenty of good-looking women to keep my eyes busy. I think I need to do a retro post on some of my better stories.….hhhmmmmmm.
by Chad on August 31, 2004 at 9:53 am. #
While not being afraid to roll up your sleeves and hunker down is an admirable trait, doing it still when you have greater responsibilites is a potentially huge loss in your time and your company’s investment in you (unless you work in a small 1–10 person shop, then everyone needs to pitch in). With your example, Rush eventually had to play towards his strengths and specialize. I’m sure he isn’t still picking up the trash because that takes away from his time on his talk show, but to your point, I bet he wouldn’t be above it (especially after reading the snow shovelling story).
I don’t know; this seems to be a trend with web/creative people especially. I’m guessing with all the dot.com fallout and the crap economy, people started to worry about overspecializing. Once I realized not everyone can do what I do (something I still struggle with, trust me), I always knew that I could find work despite advertising budgets getting cut. So far, it has been true, even after a couple layoffs. My career has always gone up.
by max on August 31, 2004 at 10:12 pm. #
Max: Yes, but I was more or less referring to the outcry I hear in my everyday work life, that is “Well, I shouldn’t have to do that because it’s not in my job description.” No matter the size of the company, I hear it daily. This is the most ludicrous, pathetic excuse for not wanting to step outside your “job boundaries” and maybe empty your company’s trash, wash the used coffee mugs or even keep your area clean.
We have a cleaning service that shows up every Tuesday and Thursday. Aside from these days we (as in the employees) are responsible for keeping the place clean, however menially. People are afraid to pitch in, afraid that if they go outside their protective barrier it’ll crush their professional image.
It’s just a reminder that no thing is too small to take care of and sometimes using other parts of our brain and skills we might use elsewhere improves the feng shui of our workplace and skillset.
by kartooner on September 1, 2004 at 8:27 am. #
Did you ever see that commercial for FedEx where this lady grabs “the new guy” to help with the shipping problem. He walks in thinking they are going to need his management expertise, and really they just need a warm body to help print off these new super-fast shipping labels. Once he complains that he has his MBA, she says “Oh, you have your MBA?! Well… I guess I’m going to have to show you how this works.”
I love that commercial; cracks me up everytime I see it!
You are right; those sort of excuses are just lame.
by max on September 1, 2004 at 9:24 am. #
[…] great benefits. It isn’t always about pleasing everyone, but it’s often about getting the job done. […]
by 9rules Network: Weblog on June 24, 2005 at 12:36 am. #
Good call Erik,
I typically run the rule that whatever the boss asks you to do, typically just do it. There are obviously limitations, like if what he asks you to do is against your moral beliefs, but if its doing a little extra stuff on the side outside of your job description, then go for it.
People don’t realize that it takes hard work to get somewhere in life. The ones that are left behind typically are hte ones who do the minimum.
Think Jennifer Aniston in Office Space at Chausky’s (sp?) (do you want to do the minimum, do our customers want minimum service?) (ok not verbatium
)
Anyways good post.
by Bryan on June 24, 2005 at 9:06 am. #
I live a very similar situation such as Max describes above. Actually, doing more things than those listed on your work description is the rule rather than the exception, in my experience. I often won’t wait for the cleaning lady at the office to do her job — I just do it myself. Same if something goes wrong with the computer or an impromptu copy for a site is needed (although these days my “multiple skills” rather go along the fields of copywriting, web design, programming and even radio production.)
However unless you’re working on your own, I feel there’s a very fine line between becoming multiskilled/proactive/helpful and end up being blatantly exploited — company bosses will always try to get more than what they bargained for. That’s quite a touchy subject that deserves some pondering.
by beto on June 24, 2005 at 11:46 am. #