Three Signs of a Miserable Job

Well, the title is not that appealing - but the content could not be truer. Whoever wants to contend with a miserable job? First, the book is really targeted at managers to convert miserable jobs in their organization. If you are suffering in a miserable job you can try to use the ideas in the book, but you are probably better off finding something new, where the ideas in the Lencioni’s book are already put in place.
Patrick Lencioni uses his usual approach and starts us off with a business fable to demonstrate how to get rid of miserable jobs. The main character Brian Bailey sells his company, then turns around an Italian restaurant, before taking on a sports retail chain - all with disillusioned and unmotivated employees. It’s a quick read for an evening or two, easily digestible.

In the second part Patrick Lencioni then discusses the three signs, which are

• Irrelevance
• Anonymity
• Immeasurement

In Irrelevance people need to see how their job matters to someone, in Anonymity people want to be appreciated for their contribution, and in Immeasurement people want to know how they improve on measurable objective criteria. The difference to the typical American business culture is that you actually as a manager need to spend time with your employees, understand their needs, private life, and care about it. Then as a manager you also need to work with your people to find ways to measure their work and define performance goals.

Of Patrick Lencioni’s books I liked this one best - if the $15 is too much for you just get it from your local library as I did.

For more information also check out www.miserablejob.com