The ability to follow instructions is an undervalued job skill. It is
astounding how many people will insist on doing things their own way in
spite of having received specific instructions which are based on many more
years of experience than they have. It goes back to the culture of cheating,
which is not limited to customers, employers and suppliers but is also
pervasive among employees. They figure if they can get it past you doing it
less well and with less effort, they can rationalize it as justified because
no matter how they are being paid it isn't enough. (Hell, how many hot-dog
multi-millionaire Major League Baseball players fail to run out the ground
balls or properly execute on fundamentals?).

It's like making an effort is dancing and dancing is beneath their dignity.
If you want them to do it in a manner they think is unreasonable, based on
their five minutes of expertise in doing this job, they think you owe them a
long explanation.

I was reminded yesterday of a line from "The Caine Mutiny" in which Humphrey
Bogart's character makes a statement with regard to the different ways in
which things can be done:

"There's the right way, the wrong way, the Navy way and my way. As long as
you do things my way we'll get along fine".

> Mike is right,only one out of three young men who work for me is
> truly polite and respectful and able to follow instructions. The two
> other guys are hotshots, they come from a more affluent community,
> where I am sure teachers aren't allowed to discipline or garner
> respect. Despite one of the hotshots attending NYU for graduate
> school while he works for me, he either refuses or cannot follow
> instructions. This young man should have been graded on on following
> instructions.
>
> My fiance is in Medical school and is graded on following
> instructions not just knowledge.
>
> edison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > The teachers were on this kick that not simply were they supposed to
> > teach their subjects, but they were to somehow prepare the kids for a
> > bigger world... in my opinion the 'bigger world' was my
> > responsibility and not theirs.
>
> While this may be true, the reality is that there are lots of lousy parents
> who don't meet this responsibility and it is left to the State to raise
> their kids.
>
> Mike E.
>
> --
> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
>
> Martin Skrelunas
> [log in to unmask]
> P.O. Box 184
> New Canaan, Ct 06840
> ph.:203.966.4483 / fax:203.972.1767
------- End of Original Message -------

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