Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Longevity almost always wins over positions of authority.

A conversation:

Person A: You must do what I say because I am a VP or deputy under assistant director of something or other.

Person B: Really?

Person A: Yes.

Person B: Let’s see, I have 15 years to retirement and the average above average super hero like you sits in that elevated grand illustrious position for about 3 years before moving upwards to yet another elevated grand illustrious position.

Person A: Yes, I will continue my meteoric rise to places that meteors rise to.

Person B: Did you say something? Oh, I wasn’t listening. Anyways, continue your meteoric rise. I’ll still be here when you are gone.

Person A: That’s too bad for you.

Person B: Maybe, but I’ll continue to do my job the way I want, not the way you say.

Who is in charge? Who decides how things will be done? Right, the person who will sit here for the next 15 years. Sometimes the period of time for both persons is shrunk. The meteoric riser will pass through in two weeks while the worker will stay on a project for two months. Who is in charge?

Sometimes in private industry, the meteoric riser will fire the worker  quickly. That happens, but not often. In government, that never happens because the worker isn’t doing anything that warrants firing.

Hence, in government, the younger employees are in charge. Most of them don’t realize the power they have, and that is what gives the meteoric risers the illusion of power.

You might think that this is all pretty childish. I agree. So? Who is in charge here?