How wonderful! We're not goofing off because we're goof-offs. We're just so deeply sensitive that the only way we can survive in a harsh economic environment is to spend all day discussing whether Kate and John will get back together or Heidi and Spencer will break up.
Zimmerman returns to Damiano when trying to determine the correct language to use when calling a co-worker on their laziness. "Rather than saying 'You're lazy,'" Damiano says, "give specific examples of how this person's behavior affected business performance."
Good advice, I suppose, but may I point out that none of the experts assembled has any insights on how lazy people can confront the hyperactive workaholics who spend eight hours a day disturbing our sleep with the clickety-clack of their computer keyboards and the chatter of their sales calls. The way I handle it is to tell annoying co-workers that their ceaseless working is disturbing my REM sleep, and that if they don't stop that annoying productivity, I'm going to take out my ear plugs, roll up off my nap mat and actually start working myself, which will certainly sink the company and then everyone will be unemployed.
It is the annoying arrogance of the workers who actually work that provides the end to Zimmerman's column and mine. Responding to the question, "What if your boss is the one wasting time," the experts suggest reshaping the behavior of a Chatty Cathy manager by "gently steering conversation back to work."
Apparently, having an unfocused, lazy, worthless boss is considered a negative in the wacky world of the workaholic. For you and I, it's a sign that the company values inactivity and sloth. And maybe, just maybe, if we get good enough about being bad enough, we could not work ourselves to the top!
