The center of a Tootsie Pop
So, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? I ask myself that as I write, yet again, another long winded email to various parties and departments.
I guess it bothers me that I have to go through all these channels to get something done. Why must I have to go to the head-honcho to ask for something to be implemented, reviewed, discussed, etc (you get the picture)?? Why can't I just email or contact the line supervisor and make the request? If the manager does not know the answer, wont he/she just ask the supervisor to make the decision based on his/her expertise?
And, to make things worse, there are managers and supervisors who comment on their name and its order in the email. Heaven forbid you put someone in the "CC:" list and not on the regular "To:" part of the email.
All these layers just to get to an answer.
Isnt the real issue here just power and entitlement? ...or is it insecurity and the need to feel important? OR, am I simply just being really bitchy for having to do somthing that I know could be done by simply asking an individual but know if I dont follow procedure or protocol then I would be up that creek without a paddle or on someones black list?
So how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
One...Two....Three...
I am used to following the rules.
posted by Just another guy trying to rule the world... at 5:15 PM
3 Comments:
Thats why things dont get done in the government jobs. Everything has to go through so many friggin channels. Thats why you guys are seen as lazy asses because it takes so damn long to get things done. No one can make a decision. Everyone is scared to make a decision---but why the hell not make one? What are they gonna do?? Fire you? Look at the DMV. Why is that line so long? Cant you guys figure out how to address that issue? Better automation or technology. Hire more employees, or even better yet, hire COMPETENT people! Its not that hard. What about the post office? Bitter people dont go around shooting people do they? Public school system, whats up with the funding and how long does it take to fix them damn broken toilets or school buses? I could go on and on.
9:22 AM
We are trying to address the issues and we are trying to make a change. It's not like we want to live and work in this twisted environment. Yeah, we did choose to work here but we walked into an already established bureaucratic environment and surroundings. Either you fit in or you get booted. You make the choice. Being a renegade supervisor can have distinct advantages BUT unless there is another supervisor or leader to support him and his efforts, his move toward change will be a difficult one.
First, we need to get out the "old blood" and old way of thinking. That won't happen unless we have a voice that isn't afraid to speak his mind and be different--whether you are in management or not. It is hard to survive here in the public sector if you are a manager and not fitting in. It is even harder to fit in if you are an employee who is seen as a problem.
These government jobs pay pretty well and, you are absolutely correct, it is difficult to get fired. It is not always laziness. It is something bigger than that. It the system that needs a major overhaul.
The DMV does have long lines. Everyone knows that AND everyone accepts it! So why not just let that be if everyone is so used to waiting a long time. The general public, the citizens of the community, are the ones who determine if we, the public sector, are amiss.
So blame yourself for living up to that reality. Same goes for the post office and the public schools.
Have a voice, speak to the supervisor, make some noise!
Could it be that society is so used to having everything now spoon fed and served up quick and ready? Could it be that patience is a long lost virtue?
Just remember this: there is no other place to go if you want to take care of your traffic ticket, apply for a drivers liscense or put a change of address for your mail. Yep. We hold the monopoly on it. So you better be nice to us. Or, better yet, respect us. Have trust in the system and know that we are competent and can do our job. We have bad days too so keep that in mind.
Second, we need to have a lot more accountability to solve the problems. That won't happen unless the people in the bottom are trained effectively and efficiently. If there is proper training, then there should be no reason why empowerment can not be slowly implemented.
Lastly, everything is about title and power. I don't care where you work or who you work for. There is always a centralized power and it is up to the workplace to make sure that that power is not abused. We, the worker, create the power of the supervisor, manager and leader. We can not gauge how many products you sell or make but we can guage the leaders on how well they lead and manage internally and externally. That's why I addressed the whole layers issue. It is just a lot more prevalent here in the public sector...but it is also in corporate America. They are just better at hiding it.
3:02 PM
Amen brother. Amen.
1:19 AM
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