QUARANTINE LIFE: ON THE JOB

When a recommendation is made, more than one reputation is on the line. A choice, based on a recommendation, can either work out wonderfully, or call into question everything from motives to wisdom.

I can’t imagine anyone saying “They’re no good. They’re not qualified, and are as dumb as a box of rocks, but they’re available.”, and that being accepted with glee.

I CAN imagine a bewildered someone saying,

“But, I thought you said he/she/they could ______?”

Either somebody lied, the recommended individual didn’t care enough to prepare, or has formed a habit of doing just enough to get by, because their ineptitude has never been addressed. 

The promotion and coddling of mediocrity, spawns entitled, preening monsters whose competence becomes a figment of their own imaginations. They have power, and are effective— just in all the wrong ways, and for all the wrong reasons.

We’re taught to be polite, considerate, tactful and tolerant. I know I was. But, can we stop saying something is good when it isn’t?

Can we stop clapping for polished turds?

Can we stop being mad when people don’t “support” said messes because their ears and eyes still function?

Can we stop smiling (or shaking our heads) through it all?

Some situations deserve so…much…better, and have become laughingstocks. In places where competence should reign, willful ignorance abounds.

So many things are subjective— particularly in artistic circles. What’s good (or good enough) for you, may be inadequate to someone else. 

Your sanity, taste, and consideration getting wrapped up in someone’s lack of skill is not a good look. 

You can’t consult just anybody. So many biases and preferences exist. Everything from delusion, lack of exposure, and ignorance, inform people’s tastes. Your recommendation; your choice of representative, is a reflection of you.

You can love your co-worker’s, cousin’s, next door neighbor, and want them to get the hookup, but if they’re abysmal at what they do, the worst time to find out, is while they’re in the midst of doing it (whatever IT is).

There’s a difference between having a bad day, and lacking even the basic skill to deserve a recommendation to lead, assist, or accompany others. 

Budget for excellence—ahead of time. Reconsider what you value. Competence and skill ARE worth it. They’re NOT too much. (The money for those party favors, or other frivolous junk we think we need (that people are just gonna throw away), could have paid for a skilled musician…but I digress.)

How did THEY get THEM to participate, you wonder? Where did they find them? They cared and ASKED. Securing good, competent people, products, or services is NOT difficult. Just ask. Dig a little deeper. 

Excellence CAN be had. You don’t have to settle for, and be stuck with mediocrity. Perhaps you DO get what you pay for. That is true. Decisions in haste aren’t always the best ones. 

Maybe it’s time for an attitude adjustment concerning what we invest in, celebrate, and deem satisfactory. Always looking for something for little or nothing, gets old after a while. It’s time to stop poor-mouthing, haggling, and low balling what’s important, but having no problem splurging on incidentals. The principal thing is not the thing to skimp on. If it’s a prominent task or feature, it shouldn’t be an afterthought. It IS worth it.

So… you were recommended; you accepted the job.

Congratulations. 

Remember: Even the most skilled among us take time to practice, study, and prepare.

The job begins BEFORE you leave home. Learn what you’re supposed to know. Everyone isn’t able to wing it. 

Don’t stun and hogtie the people depending on you to do your part, by being unprepared. It’s not okay. It’s definitely not funny. 

Some situations are difficult and painful enough without further burdening people with incompetence or indifference. 

Do your part. 

Shore up your end. 

THEIR competence or reputation shouldn’t be in question if YOU drop the ball. Don’t get it twisted. In the minds of the competent among you, there will be no collective blame. 

WE didn’t mess up. 

WE didn’t procrastinate. 

WE aren’t looking foolish and unqualified.

Skilled people won’t be a party to a train wreck. At the FIRST sign, they will pivot to salvage a thing, and leave you in the dust. Why? They care about the person who recommended them, the person who hired them, the importance of the event/job/assignment , and, last but not least, their own reputations.

Don’t make someone feel sorry for recommending you. Don’t make people scratch their heads and wonder who sent you, and how you got the job.