Critical Thinking about Employers, Jobs and Bosses Bill White Bus 200

Why Work? You work to learn, not make money. Therefore, hire companies, jobs and bosses that will facilitate your learning along your career path.

Critical Thinking about Employers, Jobs & Bosses: Due Diligence “You can’t learn if you already know.” Objectivity about a company, job, or boss comes from the recognition that: You haven’t learned everything there is to know. What you learned/believe may not be useful or accurate. Even the most accurate and useful things you learned/believe are subject to change.

Critical Thinking about Culture, Especially Corporate Culture Everyone creates culture—every person, group, family, organization. Culture is what everyone knows that everyone else knows. It is a way of understanding and living in the world. Cultures are defined by their differences from other cultures. The greater the difference, the more defined the culture. The most important aspects of culture are those not talked about. People from different cultures experience different realities. Most cultures accept differences in power and status, and consider it normal. Primates always rank order. Most cultures value conformity, reward compliance, and punish descent.

The White American Corporate Mind As Driven By The Major American Culture Thinks in black & white Loves individuality and self-reliance Likes informality Can only speak English Very direct. “Get to the point.” Demand honesty at the bargaining table Hates silence Persistence. “Don’t take no for an answer.” One thing at a time, sequentially “A deal is a deal, no matter what.” “My mind is fixed.” Magic Words: Freedom, democracy, America, competition

The African-American (AA’s) Sub-Culture Could you successfully work in a predominantly AA workplace? Is AA a race or a culture or both? Sandy, the black white guy “One Drop Rule” Are all AA’s the same?

About African-Americans More violent Less intelligent Lazy and irresponsible Blame others Owed something for suffering Resentful troublemakers Good at sports, socializing, entertaining Expressive personal style Expressive feelings Being real and genuine Being assertive Successful at sports, socializing, entertaining Paranoia about racism “Watch out for The Man.” “Police beat Black people.” Stereotypes Commonalities

Critical Thinking about Choosing Employers/Clients Select the best companies in the field. They’ll look good on your resume or client list. It’s the people/culture of the company -- not its reputation, products, strategies or job opportunities -- that will determine your success.

Critical Thinking about Choosing Jobs Will you be exposed to a wide variety of challenges? Will you be exposed to and be allowed to influence situations outside your immediate field.

Critical Thinking about Choosing Your Leaders/Bosses Real leaders are special people... not to be treated specially, but to behave specially. They are the Role Model -- on and off the job. There’s a difference between “Transactional” and “Transformative” leadership. Mentors/coaches advise. Sponsors get you promoted. Comfortable leadership is a conflict in terms. You can tell the size of a person by the size of the problems they take on. Does your potential boss take on big problems?

Critical Thinking about Choosing Your Leaders/Bosses ¬ They have a clear, Teachable POV. They know who they are. They know who we are. They know where we’re headed. “The Dream.” They know how we’ll get there. They know the consequences. ­ They can protect the Dream and the Team. ¯ They make the Tough Decisions ° The take the blame and share the credit.

Critical Thinking about Political Intelligence Every unethical act is political, but not every political act is unethical. There’s a gap between what is spoken and what is done. Here is where danger lies. There’s so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best, it’s hard to tell the difference.

Critical Thinking about Political Intelligence Never underestimate people’s ability to make trouble. They have difficulty controlling their appetites. They will take advantage of opportunities. Trust, but verify. If you help others get more of what they want, you’ll get more of what you want.”

Critical Thinking about Political Intelligence Appearances matter more than reality. It’s O.K. to be a liability, just don’t look like one. You must appear to be competent be committed have character Only the weak are cruel. Manipulation can also be a good thing.

Coercion: Tyrant Authority: Boss Benevolence: Good Guy Politics: Con Artist The Lion The Fox Physical Social Mental Emotional Manipulation Styles Copyright White 1998

Critical Thinking about Political Intelligence An once of repentance is worth a pound of cover-up. Steps to honest repentance Admit what you did Apologize Offer to make up for it Don’t overstay your welcome.