When you allow a community to work together to solve problems, you get a better result because they are self-motivated to develop collaborative solutions.
My 18 year-old is working two summer jobs – one as a lifeguard at the local pool and another as a "model" for an outlet of a national retail clothing company. He's a model in the sense that he is required to wear their clothes, and admittedly that title sounds better than clerk!
Both establishments employ predominantly high school and college students. And because these are temporary and part-time jobs, most of the kids have more than one job in order to maximize their earnings during the summer. As a result of this, there are inevitable scheduling conflicts that have to be worked out. And that's where we learn a great deal about the power of community.
The Bureaucratic System
Not surprisingly, the national retailer employs a bureaucratic system to manage their workforce. They give the kids just a few hours each week, plus scheduled "call-in" times. The call-ins involve being tethered to a one hour time slot when they call the boss to see if their is work available that morning or evening. Most of the time there isn't, which is naturally disappointing, even though it is also expected.
The bureaucratic system asks everyone to put their life on hold for an empty promise. When the call-in does result in work, it usually means postponing other plans for the sake of a few quick bucks. This is old-school management that places the boss on his throne; with a few crumbs to be occasionally scattered to the peasant workers.
The Community System
The system at the local pool is very simple. Everyone gets a share of the hours, a little more going to the those with earned seniority, with all scheduling changes worked out by the group. If you need a sub you arrange it and take responsibility for the person you choose. If you want more hours, you learn to be a team player that is willing to help out your co-workers.
This system encourages camaraderie and collaboration, and that increases productivity. It works!
In which of these systems would you rather be the manager?
Social Media Communities
As social media continues to become part of everything we do, most especially involving our work, so will the associated aspects of community that help to create collaborative and productive results.
In our social media influenced society, communities naturally resist the bureaucratic strings that many of us have experienced in our careers. We will gravitate toward those situations where we have a say in our own destiny. And if we are thinking clearly, we will unselfishly help our peers to succeed, because their success will only serve to show us a better way.
I don't know about you, but I am really looking forward to this new business environment.
One that has little place for "the man."
Because to be perfectly honest, he's not needed anymore!
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Until tomorrow, Jeff
Photo Credit: Jeff Hester
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