Where's the 'any' key?

After nearly six years working for the same company, I've become irrevocably convinced that the level of incompetence that has somehow inculcated itself into the corporate culture of this, and most, organisations would be staggeringly appalling were it in some way possible to make it glaringly obvious.  The unfortunate fact of the matter seems to be that the individuals of which this monstrous entity of inability is comprised are, themselves, not incompetent.  This can be compared to the axiom that 'people are stupid'.  I believe this to be true.  Mob mentality and all that.  I also firmly believe that the individual persons that make up 'people' are themselves not stupid.  Most of them.

They, and by 'they' I also mean 'I', demonstrate a level of proficiency in a given field that has, so far, kept them successfully employed.  Since this ability is subsequently met with remuneration for its contribution, the individuals are therefore uninspired to venture too far, if at all, outside their own sphere of influence.  This can be stereotyped by the 'Not My Job' state of mind.

Unfortunately for them, and by 'them' I also mean 'me', today's workplace is demanding an increasingly higher level of proficiency within one's own area of expertise as well as the inherent flexibility to make greater contributions outside of that expertise.  It is no longer as acceptable to pigeon-hole oneself and then coast through to retirement.  (My grandfather was a factory worker that supported a family of eight on a single income for over thirty years; this, today, would be nearly impossible.)

Now, I pride myself on having a better-than-average ability to learn new things and rapidly incorporate that learning into my repertoire of skills that I keep in my toolbelt such that I can do what Needs To Get Done.  A lot of this, I think, is due in large part to an education in engineering, wherefrom the greatest benefit I garnered was the ability to learn how to learn.  I've lost 95% of the facts that were drilled into me, but the process trained my brain.  Plus I know I have a relatively insatiable curiosity about the world around, which is a primary reason of my having gone into engineering in the first place.

My major complaint, going back to the first sentence of this post, is that a lot of people, when faced with an unexpected challenge, will stare blankly in the face of that challenge, not knowing what to do about it and, more importantly, absolutely terrified to admit to their own ignorance on the matter.  It is THIS sheer volume of wasted time that would be so horrifying were someone able, somehow, to quantify it. 

(I'm not too sure what sort of hypocrite that then makes me since I feel I have enough time to take twenty minutes while at work to post this sort of complaint.)

A question asked, once in ignorance, is infinitely better than days, weeks or months of time wasted struggling incoherently through a series of tasks that would be made so much simpler by a request for assistance and, so much more importantly, a willingness to embrace new learning.  If that willingness can be transformed one step further into a yearning, then so much the better. 

Ah yes, that would sum up a solution to what I see as being a terrible paucity of proficiency:  Yearn to Learn.

While I may be demonstrating a certain level of hubris in thinking that I am better than most of my peers in my ability to perform (and I do, in a very general sense), I find the greater offense to be that of those who think they know enough to the degree that they have placed well-defined boundaries on their contributions; and subsequently struggle when forced temporarily outside.  I work with so very many of them.  An offense not so much of hubris, though that was my first thought, but of fear.  Capital 'F', Fear.

It'll suck the life out of you.  I know.

Comments

[Paula]

Interesting, Simon. However, you are certainly one of the most multi-talented individuals I know, and consequently are more flexible than most. Most people find their niche, recognizing quickly that there are far too many areas they cannot compete in. Your comment then, that most "subsequently struggle when forced temporarily outside" is true, but not a failing. Raising children in an era where it's expected that they be excellent at everything also shows that the pressure to be super-adaptable starts very early. Not everyone is suited to every job, and when performance appraisal, contract renewal and raises are at stake, it's quite daunting to be expected to do something outside your domain that may negatively impact your future. I'm not against giving people opportunities to try different tasks, but allow that not everyone is in for the challenge.

Paula

[Simon]

I heartily agree, Majesty.

There is a blurry line that divides those that settle comfortably into a niche from those that feel confined by their own and do little but gripe about their confinement. And truthfully, I think most of us spend time on both sides.