My friend Jose , who likes to work
Bill Flannery
Washington DC's brand representative for premium restaurant and hospitality products. And some darn good USDA prime dry-aged steaks
It is Sunday, and I am getting a few orders ready to ship out on Monday morning. On Saturday I called my friend and former employee Jose to assemble a product I have sold for almost 20 years, the Texas Grill Brush. Moreover, like he normally does he was happy to do so, he arrived early Sunday while others in my neighborhood slept.
I think it is important to understand that the reason I ask Jose is simple, he appreciates the opportunity. The “ opportunity.“ , which could lead to something else, maybe he has no choice, he needs to work and being picky about what that work is… well, it is not an option.
He is an inspiring individual; his struggle is real, he is like so many living on the margin of the American dream. I am no longer his employer and have my own challenges, but they pale in comparison to his. So I do what I can to support him. He will get 30-50 dollars for the time he spent on Sunday. Did he complain, absolutely not, he just did the work? Was the work inspiring, aspirational or serving some greater cause, no not really.
What fascinates me is that work is not viewed as an opportunity any longer. I look at Linkedin profiles and realize that it is a progression, some of my earliest menial jobs shaped me as an individual. The “ opportunity” of working always taught me something new.
I am realistic; my kids would not jump at the chance to assemble a few grill brushes on a Sunday. None of their friends have jumped at the chance either. It is hard work, for an un-romantic product, but Jose could care less he just shows up and knocks out the work and collects his money. He is so dependable and has an attitude that I wish I could bottle and sell.
He is a hustler; he works when you call and is always smiling. He told me today that he is worried about what will happen to guys like him. I wish I had more work for beautiful human beings like him. See just work itself is meaningful for Jose, that is about all he needs, having the “ opportunity “ to work makes him happy.
International Speaker | Workshop Facilitator | Storyteller | Musician | Gallup StrengthsFinder Coach | 300+Episodes Podcast Host | Author | Job Interview Coach
8 年Many of us have that kind of work history and ethic, Bill, and my kids do, too! I worked in a printing plant that my dad managed when I was 13, 14, & 15, all summer long inside, doing menial tasks like inserting tabs in giant HP computer manuals, quality control, shrink-wrapping, and boxing printed materials. Definitely part of what defines me as an adult, as you mention. Our boys like to work, too, especially if they will be paid for it. I think a big part of the equation is being grateful for what we have; another is not being entitled. The language in our house is important. We call the money we give to our boys chore money, not allowance. They earn it, just like I did!
chicken whisperer?voice-in-the-wilderness?the thinking man's circular knitting machine mechanic
8 年Exactly.
Homo sum humani a me nihil alienum puto.
8 年I started married life as a tire changer, making $1.70/hr. It wasn't good money even back then. To achieve median family income I would've had to be making $3.40. But decent two bedroom apartments rented for $100/mo. including utilities. We got by, retiring comfortably a few years ago. By then I was a Fixer, troubleshooting for business principals. I was a "suit". The only thing I really liked about tire changing was the occasional oddball technology (e.g., tires that had replaceable treads, a car made of butcher block) and the chance to organize stuff. Well, and deliberately exploding tubes and tires by over-pumping them. Hunter S, Thompson would understand! But in-between changing tires and later fixing a lot of one-off problems for CEO's, I worked in a warehouse with a guy given to military-style precision - and gaming the bonus system. There was lots of exacting physical work. In snow tire season I filled aisles with tires stacked 35 high, working until midnight. Whitewalls facing up, labels front and center. For fun we might ship a sister warehouse 200 tires they didn't order just to hear them call and complain. Or we might race the forklift on a timed obstacle course. But we were very, very good at our jobs. When we left, the company replaced two and a half of us (one guy was part-time) with six people. The six could not get the work done and the company begged us to return. Importantly, whereas I had blown-off my supposed aptitude in math, I learned a lot about business math, bookkeeping and business strategy. That was my favorite job. Ever. Now that I am retired, I relish chopping wood and clearing brush. My wife just doesn't understand.
Hospitality Leader - Author
8 年Working at every opportunity got me to where I am today. Not just in hotels, but back when I would crawl inside the ice machine, while writing illegally (underage) at McDonald's to pass an inspection. To do the "dirty work" that no one else wanted to do....I was the cream that rose to the top.