Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`ve been pondering this elusive thing of being satisfied with one`s job---not with life or stuff, satisfied with work.

This isn`t about the meaning of satisfaction, and yes, everyone is satisfied with different levels of something. Nor is it about the pros and cons of "satisfaction" versus "contentment," or some other measure. It`s about the underlying concept of being satisfied with what we do for work.

I would propose that there are two fundamental components to this job satisfaction thing: competence and respect.

To be competent means to demonstrate a skill in the real world. The level of competence is a measure, but the term hinges on the actual demonstration. For example, a child always says, "Let me do it!" Perhaps they`re trying to dress themselves, and so they learn the skill of putting on clothes. When they`ve successfully buttoned a shirt, or put their shoes on the correct feet, they`ve demonstrated competence.

So too, as adults, we come to a work situation. It might be as an employee or it can just as well be starting a business. Whatever the case, we bring to that situation our skills. We believe we`re competent, and we`ve likely demonstrated that competence in the past (written out as a résumé, for example).

Then we begin doing our thing. We do it well, and we once again show our competence. Then what? Don`t we require an acknowledgement of that correct or skillful way of doing something? And isn`t that respect defined by external agreement of competence?

Suppose we respect a rattlesnake or scorpion. Isn`t it because we know and acknowledge that the snake or insect is competent at defending itself and causing us harm?

Respect, I think, is indeed that acknowledgement of capability by an outside entity. And I think job satisfaction is a twin system. It requires both knowing that you`re competent, and getting the respect for what you can do.

If you agree, then isn`t a paying customer acknowledging your competence in doing something---making a product, or getting a product to the customer? And isn`t that at the root of your satisfaction with "a job well done" in the sense of running a good company?

I agree with you, Craig. I think a paying customer is ultimately acknowledging your accomplishment.. even if they don`t think they are. But just getting a customer to pay, in my opinion, does not constitute a "job well done", and certainly doesn`t equate to running a good company. Take into considering other factors: customer support, customer satisfaction, time to delivery, etc. Sometimes people will pay for products/services even if they are not completely happy with them. But overall I think this is a great post.

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Gary Sullivan
www.thebusinessreport.org

Business Is: 50% art, 50% science, 50% sport

Well, that`s a good point---that a paying customer isn`t necessarily the same thing as a respectful one. Nor does having someone buy your product necessarily mean that you`re competent to produce a product. We`ve seen plenty of shoddy products.

But I think the point here isn`t so much about paying customers. Rather, it`s about the concept of what makes for job satisfaction. There are a lot of people who want to leave their current job to start a business, and they post here on SuN with their dissatisfaction about working for someone else.

That`s what got me thinking: How do we measure job satisfaction when the "job" is more a career or self-employed entrepreneur? I think if we can say that this satisfaction is the combination of competence and acknowledgement, it helps people who are trying to leave their day job.