DOING WHITE COLLAR WORK THE BLUE COLLAR WAY

Dr. Jim BohnPro/AxiosMinneapolis, MN“Just Get the Job Done”

A tribute to my Old Man … My father couldn’t write his name - - - but

he could fix anything. He was self-taught, self-trained, self-

motivated, and self-disciplined.He was, in short, a Blue Collar man.

Though I work in a White Collar World - his work ethic shaped my life.For that, I am grateful.

Why this comparison? White collar work is still work. White collar workers can learn from their

blue collar peers. White collar workers can refocus their

efforts by following these tips. The best White collar workers get more

done because they approach their work the blue collar way.

“Get the job done.” This is non-negotiable. No matter how difficult the situation. No matter how tired or hungry or thirsty

you may be. No matter what.

No excuses.

Applied to White Collar Work:

• Stop forwarding the emails.• Stop copying the universe.• Stop asking for someone else to

solve the problem.• Stay focused.• Do the work.

“You better know what you’re doing.” Blue collar workers don’t want incompetent

team members. They’re ineffective and sometimes dangerous.

Applied to White Collar Work:

• White collar workers sometimes put up with incompetence.

• Bad Managers allow incompetence.• Good managers remove incompetence

and replace it with skilled team members.

• Expertise is critical.

“If you get cut, grab a Band-Aid - - - but keep working.” Yes, it’s frustrating when things go

wrong. Yes, it would be nice to give up.

Applied to White Collar Work:

• Stop whining about how hard the project has become.

• Find a solution.

“Sweat is normal.” Effort is part of the deal. Energy expenditures raise the temperature.

Applied to White Collar Work:

• “Keep your nose to the grindstone.”

• Get ‘er done.

“Dirt happens.”

People who aren’t willing to get their hands dirty should find something else to do.

Applied to White Collar Work:

• Some projects are going to be very, very messy.

• Some issues are going to be very hard to solve.

• It ain’t going to be easy.• That’s why it’s called ‘work’.

“Do your part.” I’ll do my part. I need you to do your part.

Applied to White Collar Work:

• We are in this together.• All of us.• If you don’t do your part, we will all

fail.• I’m relying on you to get the job

done.• Bring your best.

“Take a break” now and then.

Breaks help. Breaks refresh. Breaks clear the mind.

Short breaks Now and then.

White collar application:

• A one hour coffee break talking about football is a vacation, not a break.

“Stop talking and start working.”White collar application:

White collar people spend a lot of time talking about the work.

PowerpointsEmailsIMsMeetingsMeetingsMeetingsMeetingsMeetingsMeetingsMeetings

When it’s all said and done, have a beer … but not until then. Celebration happens when the job is

done – not before.Applied to White Collar Work:

• Well-earned exhaustion is it’s own reward.

• Celebrations are earned, not given.

• Celebrations are based on real achievements.

“When the day is done – the day is done.” My Old Man used to say:

“Tomorrow is another day.”

He was right.Applied to White Collar Work:

• The PC, cell phone, pager, text, IM have an “off” switch.

My musical tribute to my Dad, the original blue collar man.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimbohn2

Pro/Axios

We offer plainspoken guidance for those who do the work.

Check out the Rapid Diagnostic @ www.ProAxios.com

info@proaxios.com 651-302-1574 Minneapolis, MN, USA

04/07/2023Organizational Insight Leading to Organizational

Transformation