Back in the old CWP days I was pretty enamored of the Marcus Buckingham management books and spent a lot of time musing about my situation and ways to improve that of the division and my team. The simple (too simplistic?) methodology presented in “First Break All the Rules” centered on the “Q12”, a twelve question survey designed to reveal employee satisfaction and engagement levels.
Ignoring all wisdom on the matter, I decided to unearth the Q12, apply it to my current job, and post the results on the Internet. I’ve had my doubts, but it was time to measure scientifically how engaged I really am.
Here it goes…
Do you know what is expected of you at work?
After months of probing and prodding I think I’ve distilled the answer, and it has something to do with a combination of plastic smiles, deadening data entry, and lots of pretending to care.
Do you have the materials and equipment you need to do your work right?
Hmm, a cup of well designed information systems and a tablespoon of enthusiasm? Stir violently, spill it on the floor, and stomp in the puddle.
At work, do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?
On one occasion I was given the opportunity to swill some liquor and pointedly foist my opinion on unsuspecting victims.
In the last seven days, have you received recognition or praise for doing good work?
My mom did thank me for tipping her off about a real estate appraisal website.
Does your supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about you as a person?
What’s this person bullshit? I work in a 6’ by 6’ cube with 5’ high walls covered in cheap gray fabric. There are windows, across the hall, in the offices. People walk by and throw their trash over the cube wall sometimes. I remind them that human capital depreciates quicker that way. They throw more.
Is there someone at work who encourages your development?
D… d… d… development?
At work, do your opinions seem to count?
We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.
Does the mission/purpose of your company make you feel your job is important?
It makes me feel actionable!
Are your associates (fellow employees) committed to doing quality work?
If quality work means ignoring all grammatical rules and stylistic guidelines in the English language, then YES!
Do you have a best friend at work?
Gmail.
In the last six months, has someone at work talked to you about your progress?
For about two minutes.
In the last year, have you had opportunities at work to learn and grow?
Does this include time spent reading articles about economics and chaos theory? Then YES!
Wow, it’s going to take considerable time to tally up the results. In the meantime I might need a cigarette that was such a good catharsis. Ohhhh, yeah.
In reality, the results should be measured in “yes/no” answers and then tallied up across the organization or unit. It’s been a while, but if I recall correctly even an average positive response of 50% was considered good in the consulting work Gallup did using the Q12. While I have learned to lower my expectations of management in general, I find it distressing that no one seems to care about actively improving the organization along these lines. Good business is about good strategy, good execution, and not about good business books, but a little inspiration could go a long way.