I am just a…

The conversation went like this:

Me: Go and talk to them! They are only human beings. Is it going to kill you to say hi?
Response: No. But I am just a server.
Me: So.
Response: They won’t talk to me. Do you know how they view servers?
Me: Well obviously if they feel that way, you don’t need to talk to them in the first place.

This is not the first time I have encountered this. In previous jobs I have had employees say, well I am just a… I have encountered customers who think that the person they are speaking with, myself included, is less qualified to serve them or answer their question because they are just…

I have a huge problem with this line of thought. Why is it that we harbor a societal environment that makes us feel inferior in our contribution because of our title? Why do we settle for the notion of mediocrity it promotes?

I can say from experience that I much more than my titles. I have pieces of paper and years of experience that helped me to earn certain titles. But I am not bound by them in the sense that they dictate my self worth. I have been at the bottom and top of the proverbial food chains in various industries. What I have learned is that we can’t continue to promote a hierarchy. Especially one solely based on our titles.

I initially learned this in college. In business classes (and other majors, I am sure) they force us to work in groups. I use the word “force” on purpose because the last thing I wanted to see on my syllabus was yet another group project. But, they were trying to instill in us early on that we function best a team. Each member’s contribution to the team is different, yet equally valuable. Each one relies on the others for information, support, and a favorable outcome.

They were preparing us for the real world. It is this way in all businesses and establishments – whether we realize it or not. For example, in restaurants the dishwasher is the backbone. If anyone tells you otherwise it’s because they have never washed a dish in a commercial establishment. If the dishwasher calls out sick, heck even when they take breaks, the entire restaurant is impacted. At times it becomes a domino effect because everyone has to pitch in somewhere to compensate. Likewise, in an office setting, if a file clerk is behind in opening mail or if a receptionist is not in to answer inquiries and greet guests – business suffers. I can’t tell you how many managers I know, (myself included once upon a time) spend the day on every assignment except their own because people were out sick or under-performing. This illustrates the same point. Every contribution to the team is essential and valuable.

Being at the so-called “top” does not infer superiority. It is a position of leadership. Leaders (good ones) are actually servants. Leadership dictates that it is the responsibility of said individuals to highlight and support the efforts of those who around them. Plainly stated, their job is to furnish everyone else with what they need to perform.

Being at the so-called “bottom” shouldn’t be viewed negatively. It is not beneath. Rather, it is the base. It provides infrastructure and support to the entire organization. It is usually the largest segment of the organization and has power and strength in numbers. Being the base or on the front lines (as I also like to call it) dictates that it is the responsibility of those individuals to enhance the organization with their skill sets. They effect the bottom line. They are first impressions and first-responders. They give a view finder perspective of the overall organization. Think about this… if you eat in an establishment with a filthy bathroom, do you think twice about going back? No matter how good the chef or owner is, whose job affects your overall impression? Likewise, if you are in the market to buy a top rated electronic device and the agents you speak with are rude and unresponsive won’t you think about taking your business elsewhere? Even if the CEO was featured in Forbes last week? Thought so.

If everyone thinks of themselves as an integral part of a machine (not less or greater than) society will be better off. We simply have different functions. Hopefully we have the same values and goals as it relates to the tasks at hand. We can’t all be a quarterback. But a quarterback can’t win games without the rest of the team.

As for me, if I find myself as a cook, I work to be the best cook on the line. I want my work to speak volumes. I want my head chefs and customers to ask for me by name. I want them to feel confident in my recommendations and answers to their questions. Likewise, if I am a CEO, I also want my work to speak volumes. I want my team to know that I am there to support them so that they can enhance our vision and best serve our consumers. I want us to speak to one another on a first name basis. I want them to feel confident in my requests, recommendations, and answers to their questions. Pretty much the same desires all the way around.

I know that I am not just… my contribution is necessary and valuable. More importantly, so is yours! Stop diminishing your work and walking with an air of inferiority. It does not promote job satisfaction or self-worth.

And to address the conversation I had – it was about dating… and let me just say this about that… if I am dating someone who can’t see beyond my title, they aren’t worth my energy. Frankly, they don’t get to take part in what I have to offer. It may be that I am in transition to something greater, but even if not, it doesn’t diminish or discredit my body of work or overall worth. Isn’t is likely that we are more than our titles anyway? We exist beyond just…

Ultimately it isn’t about how people view us, but more about how we view ourselves. Are you the best at what you do, no matter your title? Are you willing to make changes to become what you want to be? Or are you just?