Orbiting The Giant Hairball...

I recently finished reading "Orbiting the Giant Hairball" for the second time in my life. It's written by the late Gordon Mackenzie and details the unconventional jobs he created for himself while employed at Hallmark for 30 years as a means to break out of the corporate rigmarole and foster creativity in his colleagues. It's a interesting and leveling read which instilled a certain levity for me.

I was initially turned-on to the book about fours years ago when I was experiencing similar corporate work issues that have plagued me recently. Upon first read, I felt it was an interesting, but wholly unrealistic approach to finding a niche a work. However, this time, i did wonder if it was actually parts the were feasible. While I don' t think my current role affords me the opportunity to create a zen-like, think-tank that he did, I do wonder if there is a way to carve-out something different for myself.

My initial thought is that my current company could use a role that would allow people to come and air their problems/frustrations without the fear of being within a human resources role. In fact, I'm thinking "Listener" would be the appropriate title.

Too often, I think people find themselves caught in difficult work situation and have no where to turn. Sure, they may be able to vent with friends or colleagues. Or, things may be seer enough that they end up going to their HR representative, only to find the HR person tends to side more with the business versus their problem. So, people may be afraid to go and this only leads to workers internalizing their feeling and problems, which is not productive for no one. The Listener would be there to do just that, listen. But workers would benefit from the fact they feel there problems have been "documented."

Obviously there are certain grey areas here -- anything from a related degree to when you would escalate problems -- but I think I may be on to something. I'm not sure I can stay in PR forever. The job is too stressful, too often and because of my "wear it on my sleeve" emotional state, I worry it could could affect my health down line. This might be a solution. In the meantime, go give Gordon's book a read.