Jobs for People
Let’s create jobs for people. A friend of mine is a CEO. They worked hard making a business more profitable and stated:
Our biggest growth came after workforce reductions.
We both knew what that meant. Most of the people who initially helped build the company are gone. Their late night contributions are forgotten.
In the beginning stages of the company, the CEO hired people to bring all their talents to the table. Fueled by a sense of purpose and a passion for growth, no one worried about titles. Employees were paid appropriately for their renaissance spirit and ability to do whatever was needed to succeed.
These eclectic individuals became friends and then a team. With massive amounts of synergy, they thrived on a playful competition for the most clever ideas.
After a certain level of success, the Board demanded more structure, hierarchy, and chain of command.
The people were replaced by positions.
Now, the company hires people to fill a position and fit a role. The People Team VP said:
We are looking for people who are a good fit.
They have boxes to check and metrics to make. They know the job market is filled with hungry people willing to conform.
The original team hired by the CEO was labeled a group of misfits – too wild and too opinionated to control. They didn’t fit in a structure designed by other companies.
I asked the CEO:
Why would you want to be like other companies when what you were doing worked so well?
They answered:
I didn’t have a choice. To grow to the next level, we needed to follow the rules. It’s just how it's done.
The CEO further explained how the old structures make it easier for investors, HR, and legal teams. And then the CEO added something that made us both laugh:
And now…I’m bored out of my mind. Our profits have leveled off and we’re starting to stagnate. I’m leaving to do another startup.
After joking about getting the old band back together, the CEO’s tone changed. They knew they didn’t treat their original employees with the honor and respect they deserved. The CEO regretted thinking people were replaceable.
The CEO solemnly vowed to never box people again.
This time, I’m hiring people for their unlimited talent and desire to grow. A person always has more to give than a posted position.
The CEO made a promise to create jobs for people. They are creating new opportunities for people to use all their gifts and talents. They want people to experience being valued.
Let’s create jobs for people. Let’s invest in people learning and growing with the companies they help build. Let’s create environments for people to be more than positions.
