It's layoff time again at work, they announced it several weeks ago but this upcoming week the butcher's bill comes due, As always, it puts people in a state of stress, not knowing what the outcome will be for the company, the campus, the project group, or themselves personally. That is usually the opposite order people worry about things, though, and that seems like human nature, We worry about ourselves first and once that's squared away only then do we look past the end of our noses and consider the "greater good" being done. If you take pride in your work, then you feel sorrow if your project is cancelled even though you might still have a job tomorrow on a new project. Maybe you get to keep your job and your project, but the site is closed and you have to work from home remotely, attached to a group in California or India, or worse maybe you have to relocate! And then, finally, you think about the company and the state it must be in for this layoff to occur in the first place and perhaps feel bad about the confusion and chaos that's happening. Maybe you find yourself even hoping the cut will be deeper so it doesn't have to happen again in 6 months and you get back on that positive track.

Whoop-de-do you might think. What has that got to do with God, Randy? They always need ditch diggers, get over your cushy job and get to work! Well, there are some good parallels here but I want to step to the side for a minute and make a point around three co-workers that I believe are all being laid off. Their whole project is apparently going to be cut and them along with it. Let's call them 1,2, and 3. (I don't think I'm going to be laid off, but pray for me will ya,..)

Funny thing about layoffs, eventually they get past you and the company starts to hire again, at least that's the way my company seems to go. Suppose a job opening came up a few months from now. I get a call from the hiring manager who wants the skinny on 1,2, and 3. They've all heard about the job and applied and after all I worked with the three of them so I'm in the know. My company likes to rehire people who worked for it in the past; less company culture shock. On top of this, my company is all gung-ho about you making the company lifestyle your lifestyle, and are constantly making propaganda posters and such to post around the walls to make you feel good about working there. They foster strong company loyalty, lavish benefits on you, and like those career-employees who stay forever. They conduct polls, test morale, and have team building events.

This seems pretty easy. 1 is the least technical and trainable of the three. She is slow to pick up on new ideas, but plods along at a steady rate once you get her moving. 2 is very bright, the star of the group, and very technical. 3 is the middle-ability person, neither genius or slow, just an average person who prefers to stay right there in the middle, technically.

So, I tell the manager, if you want technical ability hire 2. But the manager wants to know which is the best overall fit for the job, which will be joining a group of motivated (survivors of the last layoff) workers striving to reach a lofty goal and need some additional help. Still think I'd say 2?

Nope, I'd say 1. See, there was more info here that you don't have. 2 is very bright, but very lazy. All that talent is nulled out when you don't use it for anything. 3 is more technical than 1, but worries about who's in charge and wants to be the boss to the point she actually does what she wants done and browbeats 1 and 2 as well, in spite of what their manager instructed. This is a group that already has a boss. 1, though, may be slow and steady but gets results! Remember, the company prefers to rehire past employees, so these are the choices. There is no 4. Which one would you rather be?

Ok, so you don't preach as well as Kieran or write bulletins as well as I (Yes you do!!! Yes you do!!!) You don't have to be the best but you must try your best! Just don't sit there and do nothing, thinking those who seem to have more talent will take care of it! It's your job, get to work'

Three souls stand before God on judgment day, and he looks at their lives. One had great talent. but never used it. A second had a lesser talent, but was caught up always trying to be the boss, and in that prideful way didn't grow her ability any further than necessary. In fact she second-guessed God's laws! The third, though, had the least talent but used it. Which one would you rather be?

Randy