Do You Have The Dream Job?

What it makes the job to be a dream one? How can I find out the gap between what I have and the dream job?

I found the answers in the book by Marcus Buckinghamand  Curt Coffman - First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently.

by Duke LeNoir

The book is “Based on in-depth interviews by the Gallup organization of over 80,000 managers in over 400 companies – the largest study of its kind ever undertaken”.

In the book the authors share 12 questions that in my opinion should provide very sharp answers to the questions – “Do I have The Dream Job?” or “What must be done to make it one?”. They group the questions according to the employees “maturity” – new on the job role, on track, up-and-running, thirsty for growth [my interpretation]. The authors compare this journey of career development to mountain climbing thus dividing it into 4 camps. 4 camps toward the summit – the dream job.

Below are the questions.

Base camp – “What do I get?”

• Do I know what is expected of me at work?
• Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?

Camp 1 – “What do I give?”

• At work, do I have the opportunity to do my work best every day?
• In the last 7 days, have I received recognition or praise for good work?
• Does my supervisor or someone at work seem to care of me as a person?
• Is the someone who encourages my development?

Camp 2 – “Do I belong here?”

• At work, do my opinions seem to count?
• Does the mission or purpose of my company make me feel like my work is important?
• Are my co-workers committed to do quality work?
• Do I have a best friend at work?

Camp 3 – “How can we all grow?”

• In the last 6 months have I talked w/someone about my progress?
• This last year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and grow?

Ask yourself. Ask your employees. Most of the answers you already know. If the answers are YES – you or the employee being asked have reached the summit, the dream job. Those questions that answered NO are the gaps. Take a look at the gaps? The most important question to ask is – “Can these gaps be closed?”. If the answer is YES, you have exciting times to come. If the answer is NO here is what happens next:

• If you are the employee… my advice to you – find another job.
• If you are the manager, it should explain this turnover thing you have. You may want to read The Dream Manager book right away.