To me, one of the most challenging ideas that comes out of Mass Career Customization (and there are many from breaking down long-held stigmas regarding “commitment” to coping with potential management chaos) is that of accepting the whole person. We all like to talk about our “people” but really only want to deal with the “employee” slice. We’ve all heard, “don’t bring your personal life to the office,” or “leave your baggage at the door.” Sure, nobody wants to spend their day listening to a whiny co-worker drone on about their personal problems, but do we really (and I’m speaking directly to you now annual report writer or website copy guy) value our people as our greatest asset?
To embrace the concept of mass career customization we’ve got to embrace the concept of an employee as a person, not just the slice we like, but a whole person. One with kids, ailing parents, soccer practice, health issues, career ambivalence, hopes, dreams, fears, and a host of interests that have nothing to do with the mission of the company. We must accept and value the complete person, not just the skill slice or the manager slice or the workaholic slice.
And once we get over the antiquated notion that leaving at 4PM to catch their kid’s little league game somehow shows a lack of commitment, we might come to realize that attending that school function or sporting event or being at someone’s side – when criticism at work is sure to follow– is the only real commitment any of us can make in our lives and EXACTLY the reason we, as employers, value the employee slice of one who would make that choice so much.
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