Order in the Ranks Part 4: Equality ≠ Sameness

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I agree with equal pay for equal work. I don't agree with some of the stupid arguments I hear about that AT ALL. I see it all the time.  Under educated, ill-informed people use the latest popular talking points and ignorant arguments while trying to support good and valid points. For instance: equal pay for women.  First off, the wording spins the topic to sound a certain way.  It should be "equal pay for equal work."  The truth is, women who write like this are wording it in order to make an unsubstantiated claim in just a tagline to infer that there's already an inequality at work based solely on the fact that they are women, and what they are actually trying to convey is that women should be given preferential treatment.  This is a dishonest treatment of a valid subject.  That is not equal treatment of women.

Women can be capable, intelligent, educated, good workers, even the best workers in many situations.  Just because "women can have babies, run a household and do it while they look good in heels" is NOT a reason women should get equal pay.  What a ridiculous argument.  I've seen people use witty and cute statements such as these, as though they were actually reasonable or a valid talking points.  Obviously it tripped my trigger.  Here's a reasonable talking point for you: We women should get equal pay for equal WORK. That is why women should get equal pay.  Anyone who's doing the job well should get equal, baseline, starting pay.

If we are BETTER at something we should get MORE pay. If we are NOT AS GOOD we DON'T DESERVE equal pay. I realize that last part is unpopular, but it's true.

If I own a business and am spending MY OWN MONEY to pay my employees, and I hire a man and a woman to carry bricks I will pay them the same.  If it turns out he can carry more bricks further and faster than she can, then guess what? I'm going to give him a raise, and yes-- pay him more than I pay her. He deserves it.  She does not.  I might even fire her and save myself and my business some money.  If I hire a man and a woman to manage my personal affairs I will pay them the same.  If she, as women are typically able to do, can multitask and get things done faster and in a more efficient manner than he can, I'm going to pay her more and give him his two week notice. (OH! here's my disclaimer: I didn't say "all women and no men" or anything like that, yada, yada... I HATE that everything has to be clarified for all the immature people!)  

I'm sick of the "men and women are the same" argument.  We're not the same. AT ALL. Making us the same detracts from both of our strong points, puts pressure on us in areas that should be able to flow from us with ease, and creates a stressful work environment. It kills healthy, ambitious competition and creates hostile, aggressive competition, which is NOT the same thing, and damages the work environment. 

People confuse "equality" and "sameness." My grandchild, a baby, expends great effort trying to grasp things with his hands.  My son, his daddy, a full grown man, expends great effort operating machinery with his hands.  They are equally expending energy and effort. They may be getting equal results, but they are not getting the same result.  Why?  They are not the same.  I will pay the same wage for the same work, not for the same effort.  It is not unfair.  It is intelligent and expedient.  Their effort may be equal and I may appreciate it, but in business, results are what matter.  If I don't get the results from one of my employees , that employee of mine is getting fired.  MY employee. Did you get that?  

When we attend orientation classes or meetings for a new job with a new company, they generally refer to us as "their employees."  Why is that a great thing when we're happy, but if we become unhappy with our situation, suddenly we view ourselves as something other than  their employee.  Suddenly we start making comments about how we're "just a number," and they don't care about us.  They don't see us as people.  We are suddenly entitled to something that was never agreed to and we want to demand that they do something for us that we did not earn. Now we don't even plan to earn it, but we still feel they owe it.  We don't want to be treated like their employee any more, even though that's what we agreed to when we hired on.

What if you hired a gardener to tend your garden and mow your grass.  Then, what if your gardener came over and decided he didn't have to mow your grass in order for you to give him your fifty or sixty bucks?  Would you pay him?  What if all your neighbors who never worked hard to build themselves a lawn or garden, and don't have or need a gardener, told you you have to pay yours even though he won't do the agreed upon work?  Would you pay him now?  Maybe you are weak and cave in to your neighbors.  Will you pay?  Does that make it right, now?

This brings us to an additional problem of the day: if you hire someone at any wage, and then they turn out to be sub-standard workers, you can't just fire them. You have to jump through a hundred hoops for fear of being sued for being a racist or for gender inequality or some other unequal, or dare I say nor non-preferential treatment. You run the risk of having public opinion destroy you even when you are justified in your decisions.

You have to safeguard your company and insure it's survival, so you hire people at a lower starting wage.  For this lower wage you've been squeezed into paying in order to be able to absorb the cost of the lawyer you are now forced into keeping on retainer, you get one of two things: unskilled workers that might compromise the quality of your product and eventually your reputation, or you get the government trying to force the minimum wage higher.

(So you take your business out of this neighborhood and move it across town to get away from the neighbor's demands and strong-arm tactics, and now everyone blames you for sending the jobs away and not caring about the old neighborhood!)

Then... if this isn't all a big enough hot button, try this: ANY "other" minority, 'protected' religious group, or special interest,  can run a business and hire people based on what they believe and support and it's perfectly acceptable, even endorsed ...just not men. More specifically, not white men. Women can hire disproportionate numbers of women. Hispanics can hire disproportionate numbers of Hispanics. LGBTQ can hire disproportionate numbers of LGBTQ. The list goes on. They can pay members of their own group disproportionately if they choose to do so. Let white people, men, and evidently Christians try that and the government will get all wrapped up in it and mandate quotas, wage requirements, benefits and allowances. We won't even start talking about the "refusal of service" issues here!

I'm old school. I think that if I created a business, worked hard myself and built it, I alone should decide who I will hire.  I think that I can pay them as much or as little as I choose if they have agreed and taken the job for that wage.  I don't care if I run a two man diner or a two million man corporation. If I am in the USA, the land of the free and the land of opportunity, I should do what I want with what is mine. I should not be punished IN ANY WAY for becoming a success in this country, no matter popular opinion or loudmouths, community outrage, or any other thing. 

I believe that's true if I am benevolent and charitable, and I believe it's true if I am a total jerk.  If I'm doing things poorly I believe that a thriving free market economy will either pull me into line or run me out of business.  I don't need bureaucratic paper pushers, government micro-managers or social media popularity polls to tell me what to do.

People have a choice: work for me or don't. Those used to be, and still should be, the only choices they have in this situation.  You are doing me NO FAVOR by working for me.  I am doing you a favor by giving you a job and by compensating you according to an agreement we made going in.   We can benefit each other, grow and increase one another and improve our incomes and standards of living, or we can terminate the agreement.  Period.

I also believe that IF a business belonged to you (or anyone as an individual) and you worked hard to succeed, you would feel exactly the same way. If you pull it down to a small scale it becomes clear. Start as a mom and pop hair salon and you're cute, and quaint and you and everyone else believes that whatever you earn is yours.  People are happy for your success.  If you hire someone, they agree to your wage or they don't take the job. If they take the job, they like you and stay or they don't and they quit. The end. Everyone is clear, everyone is happy, no problem.

Raise that to a new level,: Mom and pop hit it big, They wind up with many shops across the country. They reputation is good and they become so popular that they start selling franchise licenses. Did they create this? Did they do the legwork?  Did they do the research and take the risks?  Is it still theirs? Are they still the owners, beginners, founders, hardworking mom and pop? No, not according to the masses. Now they are greedy business owners who should be forced to hand over certain percentages of their OWN EARNINGS because people they never met and probably never will, don't like it, and are probably just angry about the same age old argument whose root is in class envy.

It sucks, but it's true.

If we were playing a simple board game and changed the rules as often as we do for things like this in our lives it would be completely unplayable.  There are rules for a reason.  We have GOT to stop, bending, changing, "reinterpreting" our rules every time we don't like or understand them, or something offends us or make us feel bad, or is too hard.  Grow up, citizens.  Carry your weight.  Stop whining.

My 2.
Let the butthurt commence.

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24

Order in the ranks: Part 3

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"I need everyone to continue performing admirably." - Mr. Spock

Excellence, responsibility, reputation.  

When I was young I worked at a chain restaurant.  Denny's, it was, and I worked for them for a long time.  I did most every job they had available.  I was a waitress, a cook, a bus person, and I was in management.  I left them several times only to go back again.  Why?  It certainly wasn't for the pay or the benefits or the wonderful hours. No, it was because I liked it.  I really did.  I particularly liked waiting tables.

I enjoy being busy, and anyone who has ever waited tables knows, you stay pretty busy.  I liked, that to some degree, I was able to affect the amount of money I earned above my hourly wages by earning tips.  I also enjoy people.  I like to interact with them.  I like to read them, their moods and attitudes.  I like to make people happy.  When stopping in at a Denny's, most people I served probably just sort of eeny-meeny-miney-moe-d and popped in without a lot of planning, but I'd pretend that they all had a special reason for being there.  I would think, maybe they've had a tough day, maybe this is the only day they get to go out, or maybe it's all they can afford, and it's up to me to see to it that they have the finest experience they can.

I had other jobs.  I even ran my own businesses, but in every case, I looked at the people I worked for as folks who really needed for me to be there and do great work.  In all cases I was always aware that I was being paid for my services.  That payment meant that, at least for this agreed upon time, they are sort of "renting" me and my skills to do a job.  I'm on their time, their dollar and I owed them a good job.  Anything less was akin to stealing in my mind, and would be substandard and unacceptable.

I never forgot about who I was.  I always knew that my good name and my reputation were the only valuable things I possessed in this world and I was and still am EVER vigilant to keep them sterling.  Even when I was not a person of good character I strove to keep my professional reputation intact.  As a result I was always fairly compensated, treated well and received all the benefits most good employees receive.  As a result of that, I was happy, motivated and I liked my job.  I enjoyed working for Denny's.

Then they hired a guy.  I'll call him Bill.  Bill didn't really mind the idea of working, but he was never happy to do his job.  I know, everyone has a tough day or even a tough series of days for one reason or another, but Bill just wasn't ever happy.  He was punctual, presentable and accomplished his tasks as they were explained to him: no more, no less.  And he griped.

The equipment was old and didn't always work. The co-workers were difficult.  The pay was too low for him to have to work so hard.  The required clothing, the long hours, the short hours, the holiday requirements...  "It's unfair!  The boss is...."  

And so it begins: dread, dissatisfaction, resentment.  Set your alarm.  Get up.  Head out to your job.  Another day another dollar.  Work-a-day world goes right along punching the time clock.  Working for the weekend.  TGIF.
"I don't like my job."
"I can't stand my boss."


Unfortunately, in most any job you work, there's going to be ol' Bill: the guy who is always unhappy for one reason or another.  He's just going to gripe.  It boils down to him being thankless, immature, or both, and it means that you are going to have to deal with him, because he is probably not going to change.  You can let him dictate the atmosphere, or you can step up and take charge.  Be what the military calls the Chief Morale Officer, or the CMO.  They recognize how essential good morale is to a good operation.  You don't have to do it for Bill's sake, or even the boss' sake. Do it because it's right.  It will benefit you and everyone around you in the long run.

Assess your situation.  Are you unhappy in your job, or in your life?  Check your heart.  Are behaving childishly?  Are you being thankless?  Maybe you are allowing 'Bill' or your grumpy supervisor to have way too much control over your state of mind.  Come on now, be honest with yourself.  Pray. Think it through.  Form a plan of action as you would with any situation, and with the help of The Lord, follow your plan.  Remember, you are your CMO.

I know, this is pretty old fashioned advice.  I realize it's not cool.  I'm not offering mood altering drugs or group counselling sessions, or even a late night chat over coffee to vent and let it out.  I don't offer any advice on coping with your problem. I'm telling you to overcome it.

God made you to be the light in a dark place.  You are responsible for keeping that light bright.  He also said for you to do everything as unto the Lord.  You are not allowed to indulge yourself in this destructive mindlessness.  Believe it or not, you, by yourself, are able to change your world into a place you can enjoy again.  This puts you back in the position of leader in your own life, and you will be surprised how quickly you can bring about a significant change.

Continue performing admirably.

Order in the Ranks - Part 2

"I reject at once an idea which lingers in the mind of some modern people that cultural activities are in their own right spiritual and meritorious—as though scholars and poets were intrinsically more pleasing to God than scavengers and bootblacks ...The work of Beethoven and the work of a charwoman become spiritual on precisely the same condition, that of being offered to God, of being done humbly 'as to the Lord.'" 

~ C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

"Rule Number One: Never Be Number Two."

"Second place is first loser."

"No guts, no story."

Cute phrases.

Funny taglines.

Motivational sayings.

For people who are leaders, born or made, these are valuable motivational tools.  They are quick reminders that we can draw on in our personal lives for our own counsel or for us to use to help those around us.  It's good to know yourself and your calling and gifts. Train yourself.  Train others.  

Many times I have said, "Always be training your replacement," assuming I'd get promoted and there would be a need to have someone ready to fill my shoes when I move on.  I always felt as a leader that I should produce more leaders rather than more followers.  It's also good to surround yourself with people who motivate or teach you and help prepare you for promotion and advancement, so I look among my peers for like-minded leader types with whom to associate. These are smart strategies.  Do whatever is right and good to fulfill your calling.  There's absolutely no problem with improving your leadership skills.

We've taught these winning goals to our children and our society as though the only goal in the world is to be the leader, number one, top of the heap, KING OF THE HILL!  It seems like a good thing to teach and we have believed that by doing so we are awakening them to a better life of success and fulfillment.  To people who are not natural born leaders, people who are called to other things in life, people who are satisfied in their lives, who are dedicated workers, passionate servants, steady, dependable, everything else-- except leaders-- we have passed along the idea to them that they are, or that we see them, as losers.  Rather than empowering them, it only serves to discourages and embitter them.

Leaders tend to be competitive, and we struggle, as anyone else does, to understand a mindset that doesn't work in the same way as our own.  I am a winner.  I don't lose.  I am ever in a contest to be better.  I will beat my old record.  I will improve my old results.  I will build a better mousetrap.  It's how I think and it's what makes me tick, however, not everyone thinks that way.  Whether I understand that or not, it's true.  Whether I'm comfortable with that or not, it's not wrong.  It's only different.

 
I believe many leaders have the notion that these other mindsets are wrong; they see them as lazy, undisciplined, dull, unenthusiastic, unimaginative, uninspired, etc...  Whether it's because of unrestrained, blind ambition, whether it's because we are simply unable to fathom the mindsets that others possess, or that we have been indoctrinated in our "everybody wins" generation to believe that leadership is the only legitimate goal, we as leaders have adopted these misconceptions as truth.  Believe me when I say that people can tell when they are viewed in this way.  

Are all people leaders?  Absolutely not.  There have to be people for leaders to lead. Does that make them substandard? Lesser human beings?  Less desirable to have as part of your team, group, staff, congregation?  I like to quote Pastor Joe Cude who said to me once, "A leader with no followers is just going for a walk."   People need leaders, but leaders need people, too.

These are the under-valued people who are given a "C" rating at their yearly evaluation because the leaders don't understand the value of anything besides leadership potential and ambition.  They are constantly overlooked and go about their business day to day never being thought about by those in charge because they don't make a racket, for good or for bad.  

These people are the people who make leaders.  Without them leaders would become obsolete; leadership would be unnecessary.  These are the people leaders should be taking notice of, utilizing their gifts and from whom we should be gleaning valuable information.  As leaders, these are the ones we should be grateful for, caring for, and recognizing.  These are the people who would faithfully go on without us.  Leaders are important, but not as important as those they lead.

I don't believe in teaching people they should be leaders.  I understand, support and preach the absolute necessity of being excellent.  It is my goal in life.  I suggest we promote excellence and not hold up one position in life, or one gift, or one calling, as the only one to have without somehow coming up short or having a sub-standard life.  I suggest we stress integrity.  I suggest we stress personal best.  I suggest we teach personal responsibility and accountability again.  I suggest we go back to rewards for a job well done.  Stop handing out prizes for every mundane bit of effort.  Stress doing work that we'd be willing to sign our names to and on which we would willingly lay our reputations.

I suggest we recognize excellence in others whose callings are not at all like our own, whether we understand them or not.  Leaders are not placed over men to put a value on their lives, but to be wise and recognize their callings and to be skillful in utilizing them for the greatest benefit to the Kingdom of God.  In this there is fulfillment for everyone, humbleness, and honor to God.

Jesus brought out the best in people.  He helped them discover their potential and built them up in it.  He didn't coddle or pander, nor did He belittle or insult those who were given to Him.  He loved them.  He was always "moved with compassion" by those who came to Him.  He instructed, corrected, and eventually trusted them to carry on in His place.

He is Lord of all, Master, King of Kings, yet He came as a servant. He called us friends, and He treats us like friends.  He praised His servants for their faithfulness and gave them promotions and increase.  Is this how we treat those who are "under" us?  The only time He suggested that we were "under" Him was when He said He wished we'd let Him draw us "under" His wings.  Can we claim that this is our motivation?

Leaders: Let's stop acting like we are the only ones with purpose.  Let's stop believing that we are the only ones with smart ideas or who are capable of any real meaningful accomplishments.  Let's stop thinking of our position as a some sort of societal rank and start looking at it as a blessing entrusted to us by God for the benefit of His children.  Stop looking at accomplishments as personal victories and realize that without God we could never have done it and there'd be no need for us at all.  These people with their problems and difficulties and foibles are not stepping stones to greater advancement or notoriety among men.  They are God's favorites.  His.  He's given us a very humbling charge and an awesome ministry, not an opportunity to be a celebrity.  

Let's humble ourselves.  Real humility sees God's hand in it all.  He is filling needs and dispensing blessings through us.  Any real accomplishment is His.  Being in a position to be able to do what we do is His hands extending into our world.  It's our calling and a great blessing.  I'm thankful for it and in awe that He chose me to have any part in His marvelous plan.

Order in the Ranks: Part 1

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Fairness.  Inclusion.  Tolerance.

Are we all good and sick of this stuff yet?  

Their goal, I believe, is this: Sameness

People all want to be viewed as the same.  I'm sorry.  We are not the same.  We were created uniquely and wonderfully, and should not strive to be the same at all!  We should be striving to be our personal best.

Sameness does not equal Equality.  It will not bring fairness or tolerance.  It can't.  We are all equal, but we are not all the same.

If we were not so insecure we would not be seeking to be like someone else.  If we knew who we were created to be we would be fulfilled in and by our diversity.  We would embrace others in their diversity.

No one can ever legislate it or force us to accept others.  We tend to rebel against such things, and even if we didn't, even if we tried to be tolerant and fair, we would always have an opposing force, an enemy to vent our frustration on.  They want no groups, and you can't be in their group unless you feel that way, too.  Hoo boy.

Strange... the same people love to revel in their uniqueness.  They wan't attention for their efforts because it makes them stand out from "The Same."  Hmmmm... see any conflict here?