Entitlement. It has been a topic we have discussed many times on LiaV. Generally, I’ve coached that the trappings of success for many can be the same things that cause them to lose touch with their teams and the real work being done in an organization. Big offices, reserved parking, office administrators and separate entrances are all motes disguised as perks.
The other day a colleague, a retired Marine gone executive, told me the only thing he needed was “3 hots and a cot.” The most basic needs to him were 3 hot meals and a place to sleep. It was such a simple statement and concept I thought I would share it more widely. Can you imagine how much more productive everyone would be if there was no effort expended on items of status?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
“3 hots and a cot”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
39 comments:
I am one that fell into that trap. I spent my time and that of others on these distractions. Now I work virtual and find that those things I thought were important really are not. Family first and everything else second.
Wont work for me :) I love to travel and take vacations unless you mean 3 hots and a cot at various beautiful placesin the world ha ha :)
Work well, get paid well! Most importantly workw ith decent and nice people!
Good Luck
Status is usually what creates dilemmas, including, aspects such as certainty autonomy, relatedness and fairness. Check out the SCARF model of David Rock's Quiet Leadership book.
All of the items you mention are related to losing status, firm ground and not knowing where you stand. The retired Marine gone executive, gets it right, in my view, 3 square hot meals and a place to sleep is what we need to be most concerned with--everything else is superfluous.
I know a CEO of a large company that gets a new Timex watch every Christmas. Of course, he could afford even the most extravegant kind of watch that would mark him as a top executive. Today, many executives go for a high grade wrist watch. It's a mark of success perhaps? I know him to be an uncommon and very hands-on leader - and he wears an inexpensive Timex.
If one take this concept to a global level, the problem of hunger, having a roof on the head can be eliminated. Think about it, everyone wants to buy a big home even if the family needs only 3 to 5 bedrooms but when one have money, he or she will buy 10 to 13 rooms villa
* - * the questions is does one need that ?
So if we all have that attitude, the world will become a perfect place.
25 years ago at Sikorsky Aircraft, the SVP Materiel made that offer to all of the Procurement function, to meet year end targets, he had cot and pillows and blankets installed in all managers offices and arranged for pizza deliveries if we needed it, so that there would be no barriers to accomplishing our objectives. A different twist on 3 hots and a cot.
I am not sure where you are really headed here.
Philosophically, yes, if all we needed was 3 hots and a cot (also a term used by inmates in jails, as to their current plight in life), then there could be lessening of these items... but also the downside is less consumption, less growth, less innovation because who would buy anything more desirable than 3 hot meals, a cot, and roof over one's head? Do we all buy VWs? or shall we buy a Lexus? (obviously I leave out the need for improved energy needs, better healthcare, etc... where the extra left over productivity can be poured, but that is another debate)
You might clarify your premise some after considering the losses at Sikorsky, OTIS, Carrier, UTC in sales as many products you make are probably critical to these items of status slide downward. How would the new down-time be used? And what might be considered items of status in the business world, now turn out to be necessities perceived by many. Air Conditioning offices for workers, Elevators in the hotels at which we vacation, Helicopters for those that need them to get from A to B quickly, not to mention the jet engines Pratt makes for the small & large jet market ( I am assuming they still do, even though I am ex GE Sourcing living in CT). And the traveling public that want to fly to the Caribbean for a week on those aircraft, and enjoy the A/C Carrier makes, using the great OTIS elevators.
Status is a relative term. The haves and have-nots are relatives too. People in the US might complain about being underpaid relatively to their US Executive Counterparts whose incomes have risen disproportionately over the years when compared to the middle class, and whose income taxes from the 50s & 60s, have been reduced disproportionately likewise today. When others in the world get 1/100th the per capita income of our poorest peoples, yes, it is time to think of items of status and adjust our hearts and status appropriately to help. The same help is needed for US cititzens having lost jobs, homes, and healthcare.
I agree with you that if we all took a look at what we actually needed and became more realistic about our extravagances by not having to keep up with the Jones, or match company perks handed out to bankers under the guise of keeping the best in the offices of big banks (when they failed us in 2008), it just might be a much better world... not necessarily more productive (unless that new free time was expended on helping others).
And let's not forget something called the standard of living, where roads, schools, clean water, heat, indoor plumbing comes in handy, compared with third world countries, where many companies offshore jobs to become more profitable... Just maybe wages there are low because all those people have is 3 hots and a cot, and a hut.
But I doubt much change will happen in our lifetimes in the US, It's the human condition to want more, to do more, to strive for more, essentially to COMPETE and along with that comes the items of Status. (Gold medals for Olympians, Bonuses for Executives) And if we were all equal, working the same, being the same, would not we all get cast out as Communists or some other negative class by the Hard Right political movement?
Interesting discussion topic. No Wonder why CT is also known as the state of Genius. Good topic for all of use to watch. We just might all learn something.
Take Care
Good point I think we could take this one step further and ask the question of can you imagine how much more productive everyone would be if there was no Ego's to get in the way?
These ARE the most basic of needs; but according to Maslow a productive person needs more. At the base of Maslow's hierarchy of needs are the phisiological (the 3 hots and a cot). With these fulfilled the next need is personal safety. The Marine probably had this covered. Then there is a need to belong, to be accepted. The Corps probably povided these also. In order to continue to grow, a person requires approval and recognition. Only after these needs are fulfilled can they realize their potential and move on to helping others do the same.
I agree 100%. The best example of this I have seen in my career was at Cisco Systems. No reserved parking, even for executives, the offices that existed were built on the inner part of the building - windows were left for common space and conference rooms, and the size of the office of the entry level manager was the same as the CEO. Do I think the CEO should have a bit bigger office, sure, but watching them put their beliefs into action really made all employees feel empowered and part of the team.
So, what perks are you willing to give up ... And, if you had a choice, how would you ask your company to use the savings ... And would they really comply with your request?
I like that. I actually worked at a place that stated they had an open door policy but, production workers were not allowed to enter the front offices... I know how much more productive everyone would be because I spent way to much of my time being an intermediary!
My hats off to the people who actually do get out from behind their desks and get their hands dirty, even if it is only a simple hand shake with someone else with dirty hands!
This probably was true at one time. Try today to get by without a telephone and a computer. 25 years ago it probably took an all-nighter to finish the paperwork. I remember the "good ol' days" of multi part pre-printer Purchase Orders and Kardex. Remember the punch tape Telex. Seems to me I do a lot more today, a lot faster with the technology.
I agree that Perks should not get in the way of Work and Team. But at one time pizza was a perk when working late.
OohRAH and Semper Fi to your Marine colleague! This is exactly why I strive to hire and train former military personnel...they completely understand a sense of urgency, have impeccable discipline founded by very simple principles...god, honor and country fed by 3 squares and a cot.
I live and work in LA, the LaLa land of entitlement. Studios give out ridiculous multi-year contracts lined with perks...there is no IP, no rocket science, no saving of lives...WTF.
I would take working with your Marine buddy any day of the week and twice on Tuesday...
Best regards,
Kim
former US Army 82nd Airborne Medic
John,
I think this goes back to a previous article you posted on LIAV regarding how you gave your team the option to use your office for conferenc calls / meetings while you were traveling. Most were were somewhat taken back by the concept. Our corporate culture is very territorial at times and most people lack the system concept and hold on to their silo mentality (at the detriment of the whole).
The main take away from that article was that nobody really "owns" anything with an employer. Whether that be an office, a company car, laptop, etc. With that mindset people are more productive in a team environment.
In the american dictionary one of the definitions of "entitlement" is defined as:
"A government program that guarantees and provides benefits to a particular group..."
I am laughing as I write this comparing government provisions and how efficient and succesful they have in providing "benefits". We need to be careful and check what we wish and aspire to...entitlement has its snares....
I worked in an environment where perks as status symbols were shunned. First come first serve parking, same type of office furniture for all, even the compensation variations were negligible. In the long run, it creates a culture where the drive for individual advancement becomes meaningless and almost nobody cares. In extreme cases, nobody even wants or desires to have leadership roles. They are content with 3 hots, free health care and a cot.
So, it is debatable whether the perks work as an incentive to light up a little fire and build a little competition or are ruinous.
I tend to think, as long as it does not become the central focus of one's life, perks serve as incentives to create a little healthy competition for those who care... And for those who don't, they must have other priorities any way.
This is a great point, however it is very difficult asking everyone to be humbled. Some people strive for status symbols as a measurement of success. This drive can also help produce great people, although many will lose touch of what it was like to at one point be at the bottom of the totem pole.
John,
Ah yea, 3 hots and a cot, great words of widsom there!! As a Global SAP APO SCM Program Director many of my staff debate over special hotels to stay while on the road, and I tease that motel 6 is just as good. They worry about their Golf T Times at the company open in Augusta, GA...as I coordinate the "shotgun" start, and I do not golf well... As with their free time coordinating their "First Class" flights home for the weekends in a competing mode.... I choose to fly coach, just to be close to real people for a change. Entitlements are blinding, but a fact of life, and I tolerate some of their childish needs, then will clamp down on many others...The corner office with a dynamic view I was offered ....gave it up for it to HR Needs to be a conference and Learning center, many cost cutting factors delivered, would rather work at home remotely when I can anyway!! Best coffee is at home!!
With All Our personal drive for success, to achieve, to manage, direct and control, we should never loose focus of our own true family roots...the values of character, core beliefs, of our Life's experiences, we must hold closely to Our minds and Hearts. No time to tolerate redundant ego's here....my MBA, PMP, CPIM, all earned ... Still I am myself, proudly!
Yea,...3 Hots and a Cot,...So close to my own heart, as a Force Recon Marine, awarded The Bronze Star For Combat Valor. Yes Sir, John keep that man close to you, a key man for your company Success!! God Bless All!! Mike
If every one was equal in thought, colour, cast etc.....there would be no competition and no differentation. Like there are Ups and Downs in the life because of these differentiations it is balanced somewhere. The very old people say that our fingers which are different is size and not equal is because of this. Later it all comes to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. If people are satisfied with the basic needs and live happy then things would be different, but will this happen?
I discussed with my stepson about team work in different companies: I'm in cement industry, he's working for a successful car manufacturer. In my business it is daily business to achieve perks to differ from all others while he's working in big equal teams. The difference is that the work flow in my stepsons team is more balanced and effective as they have 3 foremen, all others are equal. Status symbols and perks cause lot's of discomposure and good working teams feel disturbed and concentrate on other topics as they should. John, how will you abolish status symbols and perks once established in a company?
How times have changed. I have worked in the same industry for over 40 years. When I first started the owner worked harder then the employees. If it was cold we were cold together. Yes we pulled many an all nighter as the business grew. Now technology has allowed people to enter industries in the middle and not learn from the bottom up. Those in my age group become the dinosaurs. We would have taken the 3 hots and a cot instead of a hard desk top and a cup of coffee.
After thinking about this, a GOOD leader won't argue with this philosophy. A person with an ego focusing on materialistic things as well as status, will likely lose focus on what the big picture is. This will cause this person to lose the drive to be a good leader which will likely cause drops in performance. Success will come to the leader that keeps the big picture in focus.
Again, this is just my opinion.
Aside from the fact that this is also a lesson I learned while a combat Corpsman with the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force in Viet Nam, It goes beyond that. My best example comes from my first real job interview with the President of the corporation in which I was interested. As we talked about job duties and responsibilites, he continued with his task at hand. He talked about the founding of the company and the work philosophy, about the benefits and future plans, and then asked me to hold the dust pan so he could finish sweeping the stairs in the office. We continued talking, but I knew from his example what the next 18 years was going to be like. Each executive leader has the opportunity to walk the walk (and Marines are generally better at it than most folks), but they elect to do the talk instead. BTW, if you ask your Marine Corps colleague, I will bet that some of the "hots" were not. Semper Fi.
I joined the Army just for the 3 hots and a cot. Fortunately for me, they also paid for the broken bones.
Three hots and a cot - I like the phrase - the interesting thing that is a huge motivator to get people to work that won't cost you anything - and something I see missing in today's working enviroment is to show people appreciation for what they are doing and the job product they are producing and most all people will work twice as hard. Everyone wants to feel needed and respected - and if you truly appreciate someone's work - show it! That beats three hots and cot for me! Keep it real!!!
John.
I am not sure if I am replying to your own thoughts or that of someone else's excerpts from www.leadershipisaVerb.com.
In any case... I wanted to add another angle to the 3 hots... check out
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
or google the STORY OF STUFF to see how "stuff", which includes Items of Status might be taking over our lives, the environment, and time with our families.
But then "stuff" brings jobs to the masses, which is good. But at what cost? What to do? I've no answers, just thought sharing this link might sort of put an angle on new product development and how innovation, design for assembly, common parts, reusable parts, recycling, use of local trade, all might be thought of part of the overall product development cycle, not just managing an organization for productivity. Productivity seems to be only part of the business equation.
What are the other ideas resolve over-consumption?
"Perks" designed to increase efficiency aren't a bad thing. Frankly, office administrators, often seen as a perk, are really a manner to divide work into more efficient buckets and assign those tasks to the subject matter experts. We can't be proficient at every task associated with a function. "Perks" like a bigger office, company car, etc.don't take someone away from the real work being done by a company. I would agree that perks like reserved parking, separate entrances, executive-only break rooms, etc. do create unnecessary distance between the company levels.
Entitlement, on the other hand, is an issue at all levels of an organization, from the dock worker to the board.
John, Entitlement : We all would save significant $$$ if we stoped catering to meet a level of status.
Here is a piece from my personal philosophy, "treat everyday as a holiday and every meal as a feast." This can be rewritten as its all about the attitude, which in essence is what underlies your colleague's staement.
All you are doing is dreaming so change "imagine" in your question to "dream"…
As a retired Marine Officer, I can guarantee you that the good General had plenty of perks afforded to him on the basis of his rank. I don't begrudge him any of them...
Is it really the perks that create the moat or is it within the person himself
When I was VP, Quality for a large aerospace systems supplier, I often told my boss that if he saw me in my office I wasn't doing my job. I much preferred to be in the factories and offices where the work was actually being done. As Senior Managers, we often loose sight of the fact that we do not actually produce anything. We are overhead
Yes, I think changing the question to "without any Egos" is a good fix. There's nothing wrong with hard-working people getting nice perqs; there's a whole lot wrong with those perqs going to people's heads. It's a personality issue. That's why management should be customized to each individual. Some folks will do fine with the big offices and separate entrances; some will become obtuse jerks; some don't value these things at all.
I have spent a few too many nights on "cots" so I'd probably upgrade there to an "air mattress!" But the 3 hots work for me! Hooah! Thanks! TM
Interesting topic. Three comments stand out for me:
"... a huge motivator to get people to work that won't cost you anything - and something I see missing in today's working enviroment is to show people appreciation for what they are doing and the job product they are producing and most all people will work twice as hard." - Bobbi
"Three hots and a cot sounds a lot like a hierarchy of needs, I like the example of air, having it does not make one happy, not having it can make one cranky." - T.R.
"Entitlement, on the other hand, is an issue at all levels of an organization, from the dock worker to the board." - Jonathan
Alicia
Entitlement is so overused, we now consider such things as a vacation a "right" rather than a priviledge we earn. I find it far more effective with subordinates, to "empower" them with the tools & support to get things done. Back them on decision making. Allow them more say in the "how" rather than handing it to them as an edict.
When they have a vested interest, the creative juices get involved sooner and the final product surpasses expectations.
One son has a regional manager who bitches all month long about the errors the co-workers make, never a praise or "attaboy". Then five days before month end, the tirades start about meeting monthly projection. At that point who cares? Little wonder--that regional manager has lost 7 branch & assistant managers in just 3 months. You get what you stress the most.
Dave
I would agree David here. The point of entitlement being abused is sure visible. Then when the thin line between disappears, CONFLICT CONFLICT CONFLICT.
Regards to that Marine. Keep in mind, many Marines hold this simple attribute.
Former marine gone executive...um..not possible.
Civil Rights speeches on the news. Talking of past intimidation on homosexuals.
A little unfocused. Homos hate your guts::::As you showed up to vote for Obama you passed Proposition 8, outlawing gay marriage. Don't bother.
Intimidation, in school and in society in general, was an EXCELLENT tactic in keeping people from envoking the god's ire with sexually deviate behavior. In the absence of this tool of enforecement these disfavoreds have nothing to be afraid of and people who otherwise would avoid digging this hole throughout their lives are now getting into big trouble, the likes of which they may never recover from.
Anti-gay sentiment served a VERY important purpose in society, a benefit which no longer exists and another clue contributing to societal decay.
Black intimidation illustrates an OUTSTANDING example of "reverse positioning":::::
In the days of segregation there were pressures on the black community to "behave", pressures which no longer exist. Actually, it served as a good substitute for Islam, a religion whose strictness helps the believers toe the line, a MAJOR problem among blacks.
Ironically, this intimidation was substituted for Civil Rights, planned and inflicted on the black community by the gods through the Italians.
Now they eat what they are fed. And it is killing them.
The deterioration which has occurred in the decades since has DEVESTATED the black community, but since the gods have positioned coinciding increased weath the people believe times are improving. Rather, they are falling further out of the god's favor with their behavior, now financable, evident by the community in decay during past crisises (crack epidemic, gang violence, massive drug use, etc).
If people only understood the importance of good parents. You won't be going anywhere without them. And it won't happen unless you are one first.
"The West Bank, where the end of the world will begin." This happened 2000 years ago.
Another feature which the Gods offer as a clue is very foreboading and ominous. Mt. Zion is a mountain to the north of Diablo (the eye of The Beast) and one which has a working quarry at its base. Consistant with the decay we experience in society, Mt. Zion is being eaten away, slowly stripped of its resources, until one day paradise will be gone forever.
Post a Comment