1. Avoiding the Three Signs of a Miserable Job
ACME Company
Managers’ Meeting
Avoiding the Three Signs of a Miserable Job
January 22, 2008
Jeff Gibson
The Table Group, Inc.
w w w . t a b l e g r o u p . c o m
Manager’s Handouts

2. ACME – Managers’ Meeting
The Three Signs of a Miserable Job
Anonymity
People cannot be fulfilled in their work if they are not known. All human beings need to be understood and appreciated for their unique qualities by someone in a position of authority. People who see themselves as invisible, generic or anonymous cannot love their jobs, no matter what they are doing.
Irrelevance
Everyone needs to know that their job matters, to someone. Anyone. Without seeing a connection between the work and the satisfaction of another person or group of people, an employee simply will not find lasting fulfillment. Even the most cynical employees need to know that their work matters to someone, even if it’s just the boss.
Immeasurement
Employees need to be able to gauge their progress and level of contribution for themselves. They cannot be fulfilled in their work if their success depends on the opinions or whims of another person, no matter how benevolent that person may be. Without tangible means of assessing success or failure, especially as it pertains to the relevance of their job, motivation eventually deteriorates as people see themselves as unable to control their own fate.

3. ACME – Managers’ Meeting
Discussion Questions
Which component of the miserable job model is your strongest when working with your employees?
Why?
Which component is your weakest?
Why?

4. ACME – Managers’ Meeting
Discussion Questions
What tips for overcoming the three signs can you share with others at your table?
Anonymity
Irrelevance
Immeasurement
If there are any cultural or environmental obstacles at Ambius that inhibit your ability to manage against the three signs, please discuss them here.

5. ACME – Managers’ Meeting
Anti-Misery Brainstorm
Consider a _________________, what are some possible responses to the relevance and immeasurement areas?
Irrelevance
Immeasurement

6. ACME – Managers’ Meeting
Notes