A T. Rex Picks Pumpkins!
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 - Joe Kiedinger
I know, the main reason you’re reading this is due to a headline that invites curiosity. This theme represents people. People handling job roles that don’t fit who they are, like a T. rex trying to pick pumpkins. If, in fact, the T. rex had to pick pumpkins the creature would use its gift of a big powerful tail. It would sweep the ground launching pumpkins everywhere. Certainly, they would be picked quickly and most would be damaged and useless.
Businesses have a habit of doing this with people. They place them in the wrong role for their innate talents. This happens for two reasons. First, the manager truly likes a person and believes they can accomplish the new role to which they’ve been ‘promoted’. The second is when the manager is completely unaware of others and thinks of themselves first. They place anyone in a role simply to fill it. This does more harm than the first because there is a complete lack of awareness on the manager’s part.
So, back to our metaphor, what should the T. rex’s job be in the pumpkin harvesting business? Possibly to find flat, fertile ground that is covered with trees and then use the T. rex’s massive strength to uproot the trees and prepare a bed for future pumpkins to be grown. The T. rex would feel strong and empowered when placed in the right role.
Einstein was credited as saying, “…if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” We all have innate, unbelievable gifts and when managers take the time to understand these gifts, they can place people with certainty of success.
Joe Kiedinger
ACTION PLAN: If you would like certainty for those you lead, reach out to me and I will show you how: joek@prophit.com.