Job Challenge or Play It Safe?

bungee, sxc.hu 278961I am recently faced with the question, if I shall take up a very challenging position, asking the best of my abilities, thus meaning fun, but at high risk of a temporary assignment … Or play it save and go for a job I can do good, but which does not pose any real challenge but routine work – in return for a safe job?

And many friends face a similar question. Do they leave their “secure” job for another one around the corner they don’t know how “secure” it truly is? Monetary thoughts, very high valued by the bosses are of minor interest to most. It must be decently paid. No question about it. But if that is the case. Would you trade safety for some risky challenge? Sure – this answer did change quite a bit since the financial market turned the entire world into a madhouse.

So we all have to think about this question and give it serious consideration. But it can not be generally answered. Any one’s risk assessment is different. It depends on obligations to others, family, credit for a house, etc., etc..

If we have a challenging, well paid job and loose it? It is sad to see friends going broke, their spouses leaving them when times are no longer luxurious. So what values are important in life? At the same time, there are many companies speaking not of personell, staff or “our people”, but of human resources… What messages do we get from that?

Reconsider your values…

Food For Thought.

Comment (1)

  1. Olga wrote::

    I agree with Jürgen about “human resources”. Really often words matter, and show a lot more then just wording. You will never call your friends as resurces! and in best team its members really become friends! It helps them to work better, they not only earn living, but exchange best ideas, try to use all strength to reach the best results together… This happens only when the team has wise and honest TOP managers.

    Trust! Honesty! Without this people are really treated like just resources… (a pity). and what they [TOP] NAME (worth) – that they get.

    But the world leaders understand this well, and I see not in every company PEOPLE are valued low. Please see the example: title “Ernst & Young Human Capital Practice” is used at their http://www.ey.com/.

    … and many others really wise companies also.

    Please note: I am not connected anyhow to E&Y, – anybody can just check my profile in LI for this.

    Friday, January 30, 2009 at 17:18 #