There have been times in my career where I have had the benefit of for-sight and seen an event / problem / catastrophe happen.
There were one of two specific things that I did at those times:
- Sat back and waited for the disaster to happen
- Fixed the problem, and averted disaster
I’m not proud to admit that I have done the first in the list. I would love to say that I am without guilt but it’s true… the “lizard” to quote Seth Godin slithers across my frontal lobe on my bad days.
On the other hand there have been times when my vicarious nature has seen the pain that the future problem would inflict everyone at work… I fixed the issue in silence.
This is a situation that effects anyone in IT. You solve problems everyday and receive little or no recognition for the work that you put in, the disasters you avert and the lengths you go to remain hidden.
This is the true attitude of a genius technician – someone who desires to make technology invisible, accessible and problem free. Everyone should be blissfully unaware of your existence at work, to the extent that you will lose your job because you will be viewed as redundant… you know better of course.
The next step? Find an employer that knows and understands pro-active problem solving. They are out there, and I was blessed to work for a church and pastor that saw this in me.
The take home message here is this: if you fail to fix a problem because you want to be the one who sails in and saves the day (be “seen”), then take my advice, resign from your job and find something else to do, because that’s all it is, a job, not a ministry and certainly not a calling.
The church has no place for re-active problem solvers. Only pro-active solution finders.
Have you ever felt that you have been un-appreciated? Leave a comment and I promise I will be gentle.