Rising to Challenges

THEE Note: Work is psychosocial because it always comprises:
■ mental work as a private inner experience, and
■ work output as a sharable public event.
However, employees are paid for their output, not for their mental processes.
Read more.

The main personal concern should be that work will be a positive and gratifying experience: i.e. a creative act—even if that term is not used routinely. Creativity depends on regarding each of the elemental means of achieving as a genuine challenge. Challenges do not exist in objective reality: they require a person to «see» them.

The elemental «means of achievement», the monadic groups (CG1), naturally lend themselves to evoking challenges.

Challenges contain two components:

► Rational — as might be perceived by anyone: what exactly is the objective nature and substance of the work.
► Socio-emotional — which will be different for each of us: what is experienced as personally difficult about the challenge.

This analysis starts at CG1¹ where pressures are most immediate and direct.

CG1¹: The challenge in taking action.

Rational:  Keeping focused and adjusting as actions ramify or go off-course due to unexpected events.

Socio-emotional: Tolerating intrinsic uncertainty about the ultimate outcome of any action, and the risk of uncontrollable side-effects.

Relevant virtue: Prudence.

CG1²: The challenge in being accountable.

Rational:  Clarifying what is both feasible in principle and within the personal capabilities of those involved (including oneself).

Socio-emotional: Handling superiors, subordinates and colleagues so that authoritative instructions, guidance and requests are properly acted upon.

Relevant virtue: Perspicacity.

CG1³: The challenge in gripping issues.

Rational:  Comprehending the scope, complexity and political implications of the particular issue.

Socio-emotional: Addressing difficult or sensitive matters honestly and handling awkward co-workers.

Relevant virtue: Tact.

CG1⁴: The challenge in setting directions.

Rational:  Thinking strategically.

Socio-emotional: Sticking with agreed values and strategies, and using them to specify necessary goals that may be tough or unpalatable.

Relevant virtue: Steadfastness

CG1⁵: The challenge in using information.

Rational:  Accessing the right information in a suitable form and communicating it lucidly.

Socio-emotional: Remaining dispassionate and balanced in regard to using factual knowledge.

Relevant virtue: Objectivity.

CG1⁶: The challenge in channeling aspirations.

Rational:  Using an event structured or facilitated by management to examine and apply personal aspirations.

Socio-emotional: Remaining aware of what is most important to you when there are so many external pressures and demands.

Relevant virtue: Authenticity.

CG1⁷: The challenge in evolving a mindset.

Rational:  Seeing what is changing in society, the organization &/or yourself.

Socio-emotional: Facing the consequences of inexorable social forces for yourself (i.e. habits, beliefs) and for your work life (i.e. roles, duties, skills).

Relevant virtue: Awareness.

---

• Time to go deeper into what work is about;
  OR
• Continue to the need for the control of work.

Originally posted: 20-Oct-2011