The 5 Levels of Irresponsibility (a step by step guide on how to be a Turkey at work)
Level 1 – Begin to understand only what you need to know to get by.
- Figure out how to do things just well enough that others won’t notice your shortcuts.
- Just do what everyone else is doing, don’t make waves.
- If you’re not sure, just do what makes sense to you.
Level 2 – Make sure no one can point a finger at you, cover your tracks.
- Sometimes this means twisting the truth a little or claiming ignorance “I didn’t know…”
- Protect your appearance of importance at all cost; don’t take the blame for anything…ever!
- “Look, if you want more out of me, you will need to pay me more”
- Don’t let anyone else get more favor from the boss than you. That’s your territory, protect it at all cost.
Level 3 – Make sure everyone else is being responsible so they don’t cause you more work.
- Don’t do any more than what the others are doing. It’s not fair that I do more than them!
- As long as you aren’t any worse than everyone else, you can claim that you are just doing what they do.
- “It’s not my fault that he did what he saw me do, I didn’t make him do it”
Level 4 – Make sure others fully understand the chain of command.
- Entitlement – “I am the boss, it’s my way or the highway!” or “Do you see my badge? What does it say?”
- Representation – “My boss doesn’t get it! I’m not doing all that extra stuff; I will do it my way!”
- Tolerance – Let them keep getting away with crap, so you don’t have to confront them. Confrontation is never good; don’t want to upset the apple cart.
- Servanthood – Make sure you are in control and well served. You deserve to reap. the rewards for making it to the top. “It’s good to be the king!”
- Delegation – Get others to do the stuff you don’t want to do. You have power now so use it!
Level 5 – Takes credit for the success, but certainly not for failure of a group or organization.
- Commitment – “I will do this as long as it doesn’t impede on my personal life or get too hard.”
- Leverage – Hire only when in serious need, try not to lose anyone or you will then have to start interviewing again.
- Fortitude – “If it gets too hard, I can always move on and get another job: The grass is always greener.
- Accountability – “I just don’t want to be blamed for anything. I don’t know if my self esteem can handle that”
- Stand your Grownd – “I am not changing for anyone!” “This is how I have always done it and how I want’ to do it”
- Validation – “Look what I did!”
Great leadership is contagious! Unfortunately, so is bad leadership.