The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability by Craig Hickman & Tom Smith & Roger Connors

Author:Craig Hickman & Tom Smith & Roger Connors
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 1998-09-30T14:00:00+00:00

ATTAINING THE THIRD STEP ABOVE THE LINE

Getting to the Solve It step quickly can often make all the difference in the world. Solving It can begin even before you fully take the step. Consider the CNN/Money report on the so-called underemployed people, or Duppies, “tough times have spawned a new class of ‘depressed urban professionals.’ ” These folks were involved largely in the tech industry where they went from high paying jobs to low wages, swelling the ranks of the millions of underemployed people who long to do more, but just can’t find the work. Sadly, they have not only lost wages, they have lost the stimulation provided by more challenging and interesting jobs. As the article reports, “according to government statistics, 4.8 million individuals are underemployed. That’s on top of the 4.2 million nonworking who don’t bother.” People who have been unemployed for some time rightfully take whatever work they can get, even if it means flipping burgers. Along with a smaller paycheck, they often talk of feelings of depression and discouragement, particularly as the time goes on and the ideal job doesn’t materialize. While usually temporary, these periods of underemployment can become prolonged, and in either case they force a fairly abrupt and major change in lifestyle.

So what does Solving It look like to the victim of a tough industry, an economic downturn, or a massive layoff that doesn’t care who gets in the way? First, it begins with preparation, particularly if you work in a sector prone to swings in employment. Becoming “professionally nimble” and preparing yourself for the three-career life where an occasional job change is more the norm than the exception. It means keeping up on your technical skills with continuing education, networking with people outside of your industry, and making sure you’ve set aside a nest egg that will help smooth such a transition. The wisdom to Solve It includes anticipating what could occur and preparing for the worst. When it does come, moving quickly to the Solve It step can make a huge difference. Janet Crystal, 51, says the loss of her job as a new-products planner for companies like Lucent hasn’t brought “much of a shift” in her lifestyle for several reasons. First, she was lucky enough to cash out stocks before the market crashed. Second, the Boston-area resident has lived through layoffs before and was good about saving. Finally, Crystal says she learned long ago the satisfaction of living simply: She savors her garden, good books, and friendships.

The Solve It attitude and behavior stem from continually asking the question: “What else can I do?” By constantly and rigorously asking this question, you avoid slipping back down into the victim cycle whenever certain events occur that would otherwise seem to block the road to results. Since solutions to thorny problems often do not readily reveal themselves, you must diligently search for them, but beware of wasting time Below The Line because that will only dull your senses and discourage your imagination from discovering creative solutions.

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