Job Security

You know how job security is soo important in a decision to take a new job? Well I thought I had that when accepting my current job, but it turns out, not so much. Five people in our production department got fired yesterday out of the blue. No reasons (that I know of), no downsizing (we actually won a huge piece of new business this week), all levels from assistants to fairly senior people who have been here for years. It was very surprising and shocking and makes me fear for my job. I remember learning that there are two ways to motivate people...make them feel valued like a necessary part of the whole or strike the fear of God into them. Now, the former gets work done, but its not of as high quality as the latter. People do just enough work so they don't get fired. When you feel like you are a necessary value added part of a team you go above and beyond your requirements because you have a vested interest in the success of the whole. I don't necessarily feel that way here. On several projects I try to catch all the mistakes so I don't get in trouble, but that doesn't allow me to spend time with the aesthetic aspects that could add so much more value (which is important in my industry). It's kind of a shame, and reminds/shows me how I want to run my organization. I do have some inspirations though, Clif Bar, Patagonia, Pepsi, Moosejaw...all of which, from what I know about them, value their employees, their lives, and their contributions to the whole. I think the difference is these organizations are integrated into the lives of the employees...they are not going to a job, but to work at contributing to an organization that they are a part of and truly believe in.

Anyway, let me get off my soapbox. I feel like I've been on it all week long, and it's time to get down. I'm soo glad the week is almost over...it's been incredibly exhausting and crazy at work, so tonight it's drinks or ice cream...either will do the trick! Have a good one ;-)

PS
No date for tonight, so I failed our little agreement...he's out there somewhere, so no worries...