Comments on: Concerned Objectivity (Part 1 or 2) http://www.worknet-international.com/WorkNET/concerned-objectivity-part-1-or-2/ A World of Possibilities Wed, 19 May 2010 18:30:51 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Alison Whisler Peterson http://www.worknet-international.com/WorkNET/concerned-objectivity-part-1-or-2/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Alison Whisler Peterson Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:23:33 +0000 http://www.worknet-international.com/hub/?p=275#comment-13 I like the idea of concerned objectivity, Though I've never heard the phrase "concerned indifference", I think that I have been practicing something close to "concerned detachment" in dealing with some of the people who work for me - and frankly, it hasn't worked very well. While I am not a career coach or placement specialist at this time, I am very familiar with the Worknet model of overcoming barriers. I used the tools and philosophy when I was working as the Director of Career Services at a trade school where the student population had many of the barriers to employment that the Worknet model helps to overcome. Those "clients" were often single parents who were undereducated, had language barriers, substance abuse problems and some had prison records. In that situation their barriers were evident and understood by me, the student and, in many cases, the perpective employer. That transparency made it easier to discuss and address those issues with all involved. In my current position as the manager for 22 customer service and call center agents in a corporation, I deal with people who have some of those same barriers as well as others that include physical disabilities, age barriers, writing difficulties and economic hardship. In addition to supervising them, it is my responsibility to provide career path support inside the company and to set goals and provide training and development opportunities for them. I certainly have been practicing "concern" as there is much to be concerned about in their work skills and performance and much to be concerned for in them as individuals. But the detachment I have practiced in this situation has put me too far away from their humanity and I seem to have lost touch with my ability and desire to encourage and empower them. I think that replacing that detachment with "objectivity" will put me in a better position to guide them with the Worknet model in mind. After all, everyone is motivated by something........I just have to find out what it is! I like the idea of concerned objectivity, Though I’ve never heard the phrase “concerned indifference”, I think that I have been practicing something close to “concerned detachment” in dealing with some of the people who work for me – and frankly, it hasn’t worked very well. While I am not a career coach or placement specialist at this time, I am very familiar with the Worknet model of overcoming barriers. I used the tools and philosophy when I was working as the Director of Career Services at a trade school where the student population had many of the barriers to employment that the Worknet model helps to overcome. Those “clients” were often single parents who were undereducated, had language barriers, substance abuse problems and some had prison records. In that situation their barriers were evident and understood by me, the student and, in many cases, the perpective employer. That transparency made it easier to discuss and address those issues with all involved.

In my current position as the manager for 22 customer service and call center agents in a corporation, I deal with people who have some of those same barriers as well as others that include physical disabilities, age barriers, writing difficulties and economic hardship. In addition to supervising them, it is my responsibility to provide career path support inside the company and to set goals and provide training and development opportunities for them.

I certainly have been practicing “concern” as there is much to be concerned about in their work skills and performance and much to be concerned for in them as individuals. But the detachment I have practiced in this situation has put me too far away from their humanity and I seem to have lost touch with my ability and desire to encourage and empower them. I think that replacing that detachment with “objectivity” will put me in a better position to guide them with the Worknet model in mind. After all, everyone is motivated by something……..I just have to find out what it is!

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