Captaincy? I Want Eleven Captains on my Team!

Just replied to @IvanJGoldberg's post about empowering staff to become captains. I totally agree http://bit.ly/eSOmnnless than a minute ago via TweetDeckMark Mapstone
markmapstone




Hey Ivan.

What a fantastic post - I love the example of the operative informing the 'techies' of his 'hobby'. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when they heard that!

I also agree with your words from the Vistage speaker. One is so used to keeping work and home life separate, is that the fault of the individual keeping themselves to themselves or the company not showing an interest in anything outside of the role which that person was employed?

I believe both is at fault. From my experience, in a previous company employed for my design skills, my contract included something along the lines of 'anything created in work time, belongs to the company' Ouch! That's great way to kick off a working relationship! Also contracts included caveats about development of any projects with other staff, relating to the company or otherwise, also belonged to the company. Double ouch!

If staff are creative and entrepreneurial within company hours, then wouldn't it be a good idea to nurture, guide and advise them to a point of reward and success for everyone? I think so. Instead employees see a them and us relationship right from the start and establish a mentality of 'clocking on & off' immediately. Not good for all involved.

It really bugs me that out of the full capacity of our brain, we use only a portion of it (I forget how much)- lets say 20%, then an employer will hire based on a skill set which is only a tiny fragment - lets say a generous 5%. What a waste of that individuals potential.

This is what I love about the online world these days, we can all have a voice and a platform to publish our hobbies and interests easily - I believe its up to the leaders to embrace the opportunities within their (cliché warning) four walls and start knocking them down together.

Lots more thoughts of this topic!

All the best - Mark

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