I don't think people have lost ambition, they've simply redefined it. They've come to the now painfully obvious realization that putting in long, perhaps inhuman hours at the job won't necessarily result in more money, promotion or even job security. Those long hours and taking on more than they are paid to do will make the company richer, but not them.
Naturally, as you mentioned, some people do love their jobs -- more than families, friends or personal life and being at the office is the only thing that gives meaning to their lives. For them, working fewer hours probably isn't an option. But, for most people reality has set in and they're taking advantage of the long overdue tight labor market to finally assert themselves.
And naturally, companies, managers and executives are having a melt down. The Wall Street Journal has been the prime chronicler and voice of the aggrieved executive in one story after another.
Workers having perceived the truth are, I think, not likely to go back to the idea that work is everything and that much of it should be free labor. Remember those stories of Japanese office men who worked long hours at the job and would sometimes be found dead at their desks? Now even Japan is trying to force people to work fewer hours.
Nice read! Something I have talked to my wife about a lot. Most people have a hard time describing what they are actually working towards. For many like that excerpt mentioned is the next smartphone, vacation, etc.
I don't think people have lost ambition, they've simply redefined it. They've come to the now painfully obvious realization that putting in long, perhaps inhuman hours at the job won't necessarily result in more money, promotion or even job security. Those long hours and taking on more than they are paid to do will make the company richer, but not them.
Naturally, as you mentioned, some people do love their jobs -- more than families, friends or personal life and being at the office is the only thing that gives meaning to their lives. For them, working fewer hours probably isn't an option. But, for most people reality has set in and they're taking advantage of the long overdue tight labor market to finally assert themselves.
And naturally, companies, managers and executives are having a melt down. The Wall Street Journal has been the prime chronicler and voice of the aggrieved executive in one story after another.
Workers having perceived the truth are, I think, not likely to go back to the idea that work is everything and that much of it should be free labor. Remember those stories of Japanese office men who worked long hours at the job and would sometimes be found dead at their desks? Now even Japan is trying to force people to work fewer hours.
Nice read! Something I have talked to my wife about a lot. Most people have a hard time describing what they are actually working towards. For many like that excerpt mentioned is the next smartphone, vacation, etc.