Some friends of mine and I, many of which I used to work with at my last job, got together this week for the first installment of what is going to be our 'beer club.' We plan are planning on meeting once every two weeks to try new beers we've never had, sample each other's home-made brews (which I plan on starting as a hobby some time very soon), and just enjoy each others' company if only for a few hours.
As we were sitting around talking about what we have all been up to the conversation eventually turned to what I've been doing with all of my time in school recently. So as to not lose my audience's attention, which may or may not be a problem I have due to rambling from time to time, I glazed over most of it pretty quickly. I did mention, just like I usually do when I talk about school, that I was writing my own blog now, and one of my friends suggested that I blog about what we did that night somehow. Since I think it relates pretty well to these case studies we've been doing lately, and I enjoy reminiscing as much as I can about the much smaller amount of time per week that I get to spend with these amazing folks right now, I'm taking my friend Lea's advice.
One of my last places of employment had quite possibly the best example of a 'self-managed team' that I have experienced thus far in my working years. I was lucky enough to work with a bunch of amazing people there, but myself and two of them in particular were one of the best teams that I've ever been, and will probably ever be, a part of. We always got each others' back, picked up each others' slack if one or two of us was having a bad day, and used each of our strengths to produce the best results for each shift. We actually changed the way that we got tipped out on the days that we worked together from an hourly rate to just splitting it three ways because we respected each other that much and all felt that we each deserved an equal share for each shift that we worked together.
The only issue that eventually broke it all up in the end was management deciding that we should add more people to the team without figuring out a way to supplement our compensation. I've always felt, and still feel today, that you should reward your top performing, self-managed employees with the best opportunities and compensation possible. I wish that it had worked out, and management had shared those views, so that we were all still there because I haven't felt that level of teamwork and comradery since playing sports in high school.
Since we don't work together anymore the next best thing is starting this beer club once every other week to hang out with each other and drink great beer. If you're into beer the restaurant that a bunch of them work at is called 'Tap and Table,' and its got one of the most ridiculous beer selections that you'll see in this area. I'm a huge fan of the La Chouffe (and Mc Chouffe for that matter) if you end up going and need a suggestion that I can't imagine anyone not liking.
I can see what your saying and I especially don't like the sound of management coming in and messing with a team that seems to be working so well. On another note, this beer looks interesting. I am always interested in trying out some new brews. I will have to try this place out some time.
ReplyDelete