Validity of trust in the fellows we employ…

When we grow up we are commanded to think about those around us in a positive light. Is this an attempt to mask the wrongs they may do, or the possible intent to do so? Well I would like to think that this type of thought is not necessary in current day life. But I am an alarmingly reminded of this fact of life, time and time again, by my personal interactions with the real world.

When we hire and care about those we employ, we have an intention to see that they succeed. As we work and interact with them we will learn their true potential. We hope these interactions will result in a positive result, but expect they will not. As a critical realist I always lean to the negative outcome, but am secretly hoping for the positive outcome.

As a manager that holds himself to a strict guideline of projecting a positive, team based, family environment, I want to think that those included will act accordingly, as they are part of something bigger a team that acts together. But as I have learned time and time again, this is most times not the outcome. While I do not anticipate those that will prove me wrong, it would be asinine to expect the opposite.

Being born as a critical realist, I will most likely be proven right in these situations, even when I hope to be proven wrong. The exception does exist, while it is quite rare. As I recently learned from a close teammate, which I allowed myself to believe; I was yet again proven right. But this time the feeling of success was awarded to the employee as I was cautious but not aware in advance.

Does this mean I am losing my touch, was to personally involved, or am I totally wrong about the whole concept of critical realism. I think I am solid in my belief and as such have learned a positive lesson from the encounter. This is yet another sign the generation me is in full effect. We will learn the lesson from our fellow man on a continuious basis until it is undoubtedly engrained in to our cerebellum.

Generation ME WTF!?

While I might sound like an old man in this article, I am not. I am just an observer of human nature, actions and demonstrated behavior. As a student of human behavior I see many actions that raise my curiosity, but more so I am witness to behavior that makes me believe that the generation coming in to their own is quite consumed with themselves. With the advent of the internet, mobile platforms, twitter, social networking and the like, I think the next generation has adopted the persona that I need to be immediately satisfied.

Having grown up in the “inter-not” era, I learned that if you want something you must wait for it, or prepare to obtain it. To want is to save, to have it to prepare. These are the memories I have of how to obtain wealth and belongings from my childhood, but it seems they have been lost in today’s society. With the more is less, do more with less and make more of nothing mentality, we are left with the belief that we can all be more than we are created to be.

As an employer of people, I see this more than most. Supervising this generation can result in a feeling that these people feel that showing up for work is more than sufficient. By the same means they may share this information or demonstrate it in their work. As the person that will have to correct this behavior, I am at a loss.  In my humble opinion if you accept a job for any reason you would be prepared to perform said job, for said pay, as you agreed to without complaint.

But as we all see time and time again, this is not the case. Those employed and trained to do a job they were well aware of, are constantly complaining about the tasks assigned to them, the pay or anything else you can imagine. It would seem that with the advent of instant gratification, comes the expectation that all that I want is the world’s responsibility.  This is a worrisome concept as the masses do not operate in this fashion, with the exception of industry.

My concern for those growing up in the nation of “I need it now”, is that they will carry this behavior into the workplace, the roadway, the relationship, the everything. As such they will not attempt to engage in the pursuit of happiness; instead will endure the pursuit of disappointment.

So will the advent of modern technology result in a workforce that is less capable of performing the tasks assigned to them in the future, will this result in major companies losing shares as a result of poor customer service? Or will the new generation step up to the plate and realize that the responsibilities they accept are their own and they alone are the ones that have to fulfill the commitments they have made willingly. This author is unsure of the latter taking place and fully expects to be irritated with the inevitable.

Driving in Los Angeles, Once I was Sane.

While operating a motor vehicle in climate weather has never been a widely acknowledged skill of the Californian populous. Driving in general seems to be in question. As many operators of motor vehicles seem to be on a mission to degrade my sanity. When you operate a SUV you are not driving a commercial vehicle, and as such you do not need to command 14 lanes of traffic to make a turn onto a residential street in a Honda Pilot.

This brings to mind the awesome infliction of the rain season to mind. As a long time and long range commuter, I would like to remind the masses that rain does not mean we are operating vehicles in a hurricane. While driving in a rain storm, means we need to add additional attention to the road, it does not mean we need to act like we are driving during the Armageddon. While this may still occur in 2012, we are not yet there people.

As such we need to act like we really know how to pilot a vehicle on the roadway, not act like a bunch of untrained monkeys when driving on the roadways. This will undoubtedly add to the lifespan of this author. If not we can continue to operate motorized vehicles in this fashion and place the general public at risk and general risk of Armageddon.

Nurture vs. Human Nature, an oxymoron

Many people will quote the nurture vs. nature argument in daily discussions, applying the science to the many everyday events that involve various people. While they may have some merit, in the long run they may lack the insight of the more seasoned observer. As a witness and study of the human species, I can tell you that the effect of nurture is limited in the long run. Many people are far more affected by their interactions with their adult counterparts then they are inclined to believe as a juvenile.

While the interactions with their juvenile partners may help form the basic personality, in adulthood there is a whole new array of influences that apply. These influences will produce a response from the, fight of flight sensory array. As a result, many will react by either pushing forward, without fear, or retreating without cause or reason. This will result in some obvious confusion and in some cases despair.

As a recipient of both ends of this inventible sword, I can tell you that to be conscious of the ramifications of both will benefit in the long run. To see that you must prepare, in some cases you may feel less than adequate, it will behoove you to press forward or prepare in advance of this situation, you can more than likely prevail. Fighting the desire to flee, will be difficult but not insurmountable. If you apply the personal discipline beforehand, you give yourself the support you need to survive.

In the corporate arena, you will encounter persons that do not fit into the nurture vs. nature prolific. You will however encounter many persons that will more so emulate the profile of the shark. As corporate America is fueled by those that make numbers. It matters not who they use, step on, or throw away during the process, as long as they benefit, the receiver of the grandeur matters not.

In the long run you are benefited by preparing for the worst case scenario, this way you will not disappointed if things turn out as they often do, in the actual world. You can maintain a positive outlook on life, while maintaining a realist outlook. This is how I view and live my existence and expect having this information will benefit others in the overall sense.

Wondering about a realist, What is it?

When you read the title of the column, you might think just another drama queen on the west side of the Americas. This is as far from drama, as a sober judge can get outside the courtroom. When I define myself as a realist, it is primarily a definition of my outlook on life. This is fueled by those surrounding me calling my outlook on life as pessimistic, I however, view my outlook on life, as realistic. You will undoubtedly encounter my views as, at the very least debatable and the most outright offensive. They are the observations of someone less harmonious than the general public, but real and to the point for the reader. I look forward to fevered and enthusiastic debate to prove my outlooks. Welcome to the real window on the status of world