Of course we do. But this was offered as an answer to a malaise that's settled over the office I work in. I'm willing to believe it was blurted out with only the best intentions. Perhaps akin to playing to the deck chairs. Besides it came from someone who Gallup would call my BFAW (best friend at work ) so I refuse to attack my workmate.
That being said, let me open up a can of righteous indignation.
The office I work in suffers a common malady. Movies, sitcoms and NY Times bestsellers have all done a far better job of laying bare and skewering the imbeciles and the behavior and pathos responsible for this ridiculous affliction than I will here. My problem is that it all seems so unfuckingnecessary. People don’t come to work for friends although they may make friends. They don’t come to work for donuts, though they may eat them, or free popcorn in the break room. And they don’t, ostensibly, come for fun.
They come to work because they are seeking what the b-schoolers refer to as a value proposition. Emphasis on value. Consider this; How can organizations like the Peace Corps attract fine, motivated folks willing to work for nothing or next to it? How? Fun? Okay, let’s call it fun but let’s pull it apart a little bit. What else is in it for them? And there is something in it for them.
- Travel
- Experience – transferable to future employment
- Learning
- Sense of accomplishment
- Sense of value – I made a difference
- Sense of expertise – I know things others don’t
Okay there’s a quick six value proposition elements. Any of them involve “casual day” or company picnic, free popcorn in the break room, or an MVP award linked to a $20 gift certificate good at the company store? Any of them? Do any of them include a pat on the back from an immediate supervisor? Or a BFAW? No. Now all these things are fine and even important in their own right. They come to be neat perks and nice-to-haves even attractive distinctions. A friend of mine has unlimited access to soft drinks - that's a different debate. But none of them come to mind as a basic something that might entice or motivate someone to perform to a high level.
It comes down to value. Expand number 5 to include accomplishment, expertise and experience and you’ve got a pretty powerful mix of value proposition elements, value promises. "My project suceeded" "My idea made money" "My long hours made me a recognized expert"... Reasons people come to work. Reasons people excel at work. Reasons people have fun at work.
