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Just a PEON

I’m JUST a rookie. He’s JUST an intern. She’s JUST a receptionist. They are JUST customer service reps. Don’t ask them, they work on the factory floor … they’re not in management. The office boy, an attendant, an orderly, or the person who is kept around for odd jobs and has no real title at all, is certainly not that important to the company … REALLY?

There are some people who might think the equipment manager of a football team isn’t "that" important. They certainly don’t make important decisions like the Head Coach. They can’t throw the football 70 yards down the field to a star receiver, or run 100 yards on a kick-off return. They are JUST the equipment manager. But, it sure would be tough to play a game without “ALL” the equipment being there.

A PEON is defined as a worker with little authority and many times suffers indignities from superiors. (OUCH!) Why should senior management have respect for any low ranking or unskilled employee? Why? Because, your company desperately needs them to be successful. Every position serves a purpose and every purpose moves your company towards being successful. I feel that one thing that really hurts companies is people having the attitude other people are JUST A PEON compared to them. Someone has to put the air in the tires of a Formula One race car … or that car is going nowhere. From front line employees to down in the trenches laborers, everyone has a purpose and serves a need for any company to be successful.

Every position, job, and task must be done efficiently, timely and correctly every time for companies to succeed. Therefore, whoever is doing “the task” is important to the success of the company. A PEON should be looked upon as a Person Essential to Operational Needs. They should also be considered a “Protégé” to everyone who has been there longer than they have. The definition of protégé is – a person who is guided and supported by a more experienced person. I like that definition, guided and supported … not demeaned, humbled, looked down upon or treated with little or no respect.

Every position in a company has importance and it is only when we accept that everybody has value, and treated with respect, that we will be able to create a momentum of excellence throughout the organization. You also might want to consider one other thing when you are dealing with that so called PEON: someday they might end up being your boss.

More Articles From Robert Stevenson » Make Your Bed
» Solve It by Sundown
» Different Approach
» Your Greatness Awaits
» Adequacy is Unacceptable
» What Should Come First - Success or Happiness ?
» Success is a Lousy Teacher ..It is Time to Raise Your Bar

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