I received an intelligent response to my blog about managers’ roles changing from my good friend Bruce Braun, so here it is:

Your commentary got me thinking about why is it that just about every business management book or magazine article focuses on the roles and responsibilities of management. 

What about the roles and responsibilities of employees or subordinates?  Without them, work doesn’t happen.  Are they just worker bees carrying out the functions or assignments?   Or are they an integral part of ensuring how well an organization performs?

Managerial attitudes are important, but so equally are employee attitudes.  Co-equal for sure.

How about books that address how to be a great employee?  Inward circumspection rather than only outward expectations?

I’ve noticed, as I’m sure you have (as you’ve written about) the generational shift in attitudes towards work and work ethics.  Here are some of my observations over the past 15-20 years:

Responsibility to my employer: From “I will work hard to learn all I can about my industry, job, and company to be the best I can be.” Shifts to “All I need to know is about my current assignment.”  From “I know that it takes three to five years to become really good at something.” Shifts to “My career has stalled if I’ve not been promoted along with a raise within 12-18 months. Experience is highly overrated, the crutch and refuge of dinosaurs.” From “I believe if I work hard and perform there is a career path to more responsibility.” Shifts to “What’s a profession or career? Everyone is expendable.”

Management Responsibility: From “I’m grateful I was hired and given this opportunity to learn, grow, and prove myself.” Shifts to “My manager’s job is to teach me everything I need to know so I can be promoted.”  From “I understand my boss is carrying out the directives of the higher-ups.  I’ll do my best to help achieve those goals.”  Shifts to “Why was I not consulted about these directives?  I deserve to be part of the decision-making process despite only being here for six months.”

Participation in the Office:  From “Work begins in the office at 8:30 AM, Monday thru Friday.” Shifts to “Why do I need to come to an office?  The pandemic proved we can all work from home or remotely with hours I will determine.”  From: “In-person 1:1 interaction on a daily basis is critical to collaboration and teamwork.” Shifts to “Zoom video calls are all I need.  Who needs to be in an office full of people who stifle my thinking and productivity?” 

Choosing a Profession and Career Path: From “I want a career in this profession/industry that will help me achieve my professional and personal goals.  If I really love what I do, it won’t be work.” Shifts to “I have no idea what I really want to be when I grow up.  I’ll give this job a shot until it bores me and then I’ll check out being a social media influencer.”  From “I’ll give this job and company my best, believing hard work and perseverance will result in success.” Shifts to “If Elon Musk buys this place, screw him and his politics, I’ll quit.  Billionaires are the scourge of society, other than Jeff Bezos, because Amazon rocks despite being anti-union.  What’s the Washington Post?  None of my friends read newspapers, too old school.”