Demotivation

On Nightline the other evening there was a story about a company called "Despair, Inc." As usual, I was kind of doing three other things while "listening" to the story, so basically I do not have all the facts, but this company was started to appeal to employees who are weary of the way business is done today.

The "Despair" products are in the same vein as Dilbert® cartoons or "The Office" television show. Granted, when taken too seriously these products can be depressing and hopeless, but taken lightly some of the sayings I found on the Domotivator® posters are hilarious.

Maybe they strike me as funny because there is some truth to them (sad, but true), or I've been in situations where I think similar thoughts in my head.

Here are a few that made me and/or John laugh out loud:

Burnout: "Attitudes are contagious. Mine might kill you."

Worth: "Just because you're necessary doesn't mean you're important."

Meetings: "None of us is as dumb as all of us."

Customer Disservice: "Because we're not satisfied until you're not satisfied."

Perhaps as a leader or a manager it would be helpful to remember that many employees really do feel this way. Then we can work to make changes to, say, help our employees feel that they are worthwhile and valued. Just a thought.

Oh, and one of the posters gave us a big kick:

Underachievement: "The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the lawnmower."

This saying displayed on a poster in the U.S. would be read with loads of cynicism because many Americans do really strive to be that tallest blade of grass. In the Netherlands there is an actual saying along these exact same lines that is spoken in truth and with great seriousness. It's ironic because, in the Netherlands, no one would want to be that tallest blade of grass, and rather than "underachievement" it would simply be "fitting in".