July 16, 2022

Employee Mindset

If you listen to The Business of Authority, you’ve probably heard me use the term “employee mindset” from time to time, but I don’t think I’ve ever defined exactly what I mean by it.

So here goes...

When I use the term “employee mindset” what I mean is someone who sees themselves as “lower on the food chain” than the boss.

The relational dynamic this creates is that the boss gives orders and the employee is expected to do as they’re told.

Is an employee mindset a good thing or a bad thing?

It depends.

Having an employee mindset is probably a good thing if you’re an employee (or a soldier or member of any other hierarchical organization).

On the other hand, an employee mindset is probably a bad thing if you’re a consultant/expert/authority (i.e., the typical TBOA listener).

In a consultative engagement, the appropriate relational dynamic is that of two peers partnering to achieve an outcome collaboratively, NOT a high-status individual giving orders to a low-status individual.

An expert being bossed around by a non-expert doesn’t do either party any good.

Yours,

—J

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