When I was studying at uni, one of my summer jobs was working at a carbon fibre mast and rigging company for yachts.
I was one of the people on the factory floor, laminating the rigs.
There were welders, laminators, lamination designers…
And then there was this guy “Half-Job.”
In terms of education, Half-Job was the most highly qualified people in the place, as a “qualified” engineer.
Most of the team had worked their way up from an apprenticeship, or as an assistant laminator.
Anyway, each day, Half-Job would walk around, sometimes with a roll of papers under his arm, and make rare comments.
Typically, of little value or impact.
It was apparent that he was there full-time, and he had some level of rank, yet what he actually did remained a mystery to both myself, and the entire team.
Of course, he was paid well, perhaps because of his qualification.
And of course, his mere presence created huge rifts with the team.
I actually saw one guy Adam – a brilliant welder – storm off and quit for a few days, on two seperate occasions. Simply because he worked himself into such a rage around Half-Job that he had to leave.
I was only there a short time, yet it’s sad to think I didn’t get to even know Half-Job’s full name. He ate at a seperate lunch room, and more or less remained distant from us all on the factory floor unless we were pre-occupied with a task such that he could peer over our shoulder before walking on.
In the Access Potential Academy, at our first event, we gave out a few awards. The first one was “Stepping Into the Vacuum.” – which was given to Simon Cooper.
This award is for taking action when none is being taken.
For doing things that the “role” didn’t require.
For making things better.
Ironically, this award was inspired by Half-Job.
Not to act in the way he did, but in a completely opposite manner.
Be like Simon, don’t be like Half-Job.
