Several of my friends who work for the same large organization tell me they are bored with their job. I hear about them waiting for management to complete the process of setting a new direction for the organization.
What opportunities are available to employees when management is in the process of setting a new direction?
1. Offer to help management set direction
Start with finding out who is setting the direction. Large organizations like to use terms such as “management team” to describe the team who is setting the direction. Take a tip from my colleague Dwayne Phillips who asks his management, “May I have the names of the people on the management team?” He contacts the members of the management team and offers to help them.
2. Complete mundane, low-priority tasks
When the organization is busy, mundane low-priority tasks aren’t done. For instance, deleting old files from the network drives; inventorying tools; and so on. I’ll bet you could stay busy for weeks completing tasks that remove clutter so it’s easier for you and your colleagues to work. Recruit some of your colleagues. Call it the spring cleaning project. The project isn’t glamorous, but no one would argue that its long-term effect isn’t positive.
3. Research
You have been saying for a long time that you want to research a new technology. You have the time now so use it to do the research. Share your finding and recommendations with your colleagues.
4. Write
You know things that would benefit people both inside and outside your organization. Write and article about what you know. At the very least, you can share the article with the people inside your organization. Perhaps you can find someone to publish it outside the organization.
5. Exercise
Increase your fitness: run; hike; bike; lift weights; play tennis; play soccer; play basketball; or whatever you enjoy.
6. Vacation
Can you think of a better time than now?
7. Do nothing
Doing nothing is always a choice. You may be doing it now. Are you okay with days of doing nothing?
8. Act like your working
Acting like you are working is harder than working for some people. Is it harder for you?
I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface of opportunities available to employees while management is busy setting a new organizational direction.
What have you done in similar situations?
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