Good morning, Team! It’s Friday!

The biblical definition of malice is more harsh than the English version. What about the business definition?

I recall a story from early in my professional career of an employee who, by their dismissal, made room for me to apply and secure a job at a company I spent more than twenty five years at. It appears this well-intentioned soul had a hard time getting motivated, did not care to travel, and when he did … he got lost, more than once, both technically and geographically. 

His boss, who became my boss, is said to have muttered, “This work is hard enough, without having to worry about Bob.” Now, I don’t believe Bob was malicious in his intent, he was just poor at delivering results, for a variety of lesser reasons.

When things do not go well in the workplace, it seems all too easy to attribute it to a person. More often to a position of authority not doing enough,  or maybe enough of it well.

This speaks to the concept shared in a previous post, We judge others by their actions but ourselves by our intentions. 

I submit neither are malicious.

I suggest it is nowhere near that easy to simply blame it on someone else.

I’ve been blessed to work on a number of challenging situations that shaped my career and at times, my disposition. I have helped a variety of “Bobs” to be successful elsewhere. 

Creating, nurturing, growing and sustaining a successful company requires enormous sacrifice, consistently, by the vast majority of those employed. Work is hard enough … but to drive real value, you certainly need to remove any malice, but you also need to lead those of NOBLE intent with clarity of expectation, roles, responsibilities and provide them the security that good work and solid results will be rewarded appropriately.

Have a blessed weekend!

Eric