Fish
A few years ago, I read a book titled Fish by Stephen C. Lundin, Ph.D., Harry Paul, and John Christensen. The book tells a parable of a businesswoman struggling to improve morale in her department (the work environment at her office is described as a “toxic energy dump”), and getting inspiration from the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle, WA. The theme of the story is that if you choose to be positive at work, any job — even a dirty thankless job like working with slimy, stinky fish all day — can be fun. According to Fish, the four key points to boost morale and improve results at work are:
- Play. Have fun and create energy at home and at the office.
- Make their day. Engage fellow employees and customers and make each other’s day.
- Be Present. Be fully available and aware during conversations with people. It is about creating a greater sense of intimacy between individuals.
- Choose Your Attitude. Each day you choose how you are going to act (which “side of the bed” you will wake up on). The choice is yours and, the way you act affects others.
In order to truly create positive energy and workplace fun, everyone from the top down needs to buy in to the Fish concepts.
If that happens, even the “worst” job you could have like working in a fish market, working on the ramp in sub-zero temperatures or 100+ degrees, or dealing with a heavy workload can seem like the best job in the world.
If it doesn’t happen, then working in the “best” job you could ever have can still seem like just a thankless job working around slimy, stinky fish — like working in a toxic energy dump.
I have seen plenty of aircraft maintenance companies where the employees are happy at work. They have strong, engaged leaders that foster a positive work culture. Employees there work their hind ends off, and are happy.
I have also seen quite a few toxic energy dumps. The mechanics there are disgruntled and unhappy. Productivity suffers. Turnover is high.
What kind of work environment are you working in?
Thanks for reading.
Joe Escobar
The key is to figure out what you love to do, then figure a way to make a living at it. That, in a nutshell, is why people choose to become prostitutes…and for those of us too ugly for that profession, the next best thing - aircraft mechanics.
Howie, I never know what to expect from one of your comments.
I did have a reader reply once to a survey question, “Would you recommend aircraft maintenance to a friend or family member? Why or why not?” His response? “No. A piano player in a whorehouse gets more respect.”
Is there a theme here?
Joe
Aww, come on now. Its not that bad. Respect is what you see about yourself as well as how others treat you. No one can make you disrespect you. That being said, I have left several jobs due to what I considered disrespect and profited from those moves (all in aviation by the way). I am currently working in a fun, enjoyable and well paid position in which I have fantastic benefits. I am not a nine to fiver and do have a lot of responsibility beyond fixing the airplanes when they break. I also get pressure from the boss occasionally but who doesn’t? I love working on aircraft and love flying them. Its win-win if I choose to look at it that way. Now I have to get back to figuring out why the *&$%#@& slats don’t indicate properly….
I agree Anson. It is definitely not all gloom and doom. There are many good jobs to be had in aircraft maintenance.
Unfortunately, there are also some pretty bad ones.
I have never had the “perfect” job, but have enjoyed each one so far.
For the most part.
Joe
The workers enjoy throwing the fish at Pike Place Fish market and getting the customers involved. I will bet the management fosters this type of work enviorment.
Nowadays some work enviorments are going towards a toxic one. Common Sense and a Family type Attitude at companies are being replaced with cost effectiveness, timeframes, and a “What Have you done for me lately attitude”, with no gain in productivity I might add.
Maybe I am Old School, but the Healthiest and Most Productive work enviorment was one when you were part of the company. Nowadays you have just become a number and not a part of the family.
Type of environment… definately a toxic dump site. But, I just put on my hazmat suit and enjoy the day anyway!