Caught between a rock and hard place – SCN Encourager 1/16/2014

I’m flummoxed.

What can I say? (or write, that is…)

When you’re trapped between the proverbial “rock and a hard place” words don’t come easy.

Not even clichés.

Oh, I guess I have an average size stockpile of words.

I just don’t know what direction to deploy them.

I’m a bit confused. (even more than usual)

I thought having clear goals would assist me in maintaining my M-F Encourager schedule, but then I read this  article from INC magazine.

AND THEN I saw this retweet of another article by Diane Ravitch.

She’s a big time friend of public education and she blogs here. But I found no comfort in her headline.

So, now that I’ve discovered that goal-setting and merit pay are benefit-neutral at best, I’m flummoxed.

In 1939, Winston Churchill described Russia as a “mystery wrapped up in an enigma…”

I share a similar mental puzzlement… only without the crutch of holding a superior brand cigar.

But don’t worry about my personal consternation today.

And BTW…that’s “consternation”… not constipation. C’mon communicators, read closely.

And I promise to get back on the productive track real soon.

My leadership mentor (who’s up on all of this latest research) has outlined an action plan for me predicated on lots of “aimlessly goofing off” and “working for minimum wage.”

No goals. No merit compensation. A way different paradigm.

I know my mentor is attempting to get me in tight with contemporary workplace thinking — but somehow, this doesn’t seem like the right way to go.

Oh well, have a great Thursday while I get myself straightened out.

And BTW…that’s “compensation”… not constipation. C’mon communicators, read closely.

Tom Page, SCN