The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-06-14
The Ideal Employee
Ru r r Pattenl

with admirable form and features.
| This ideal employee of mine does not
give too much thought to his. personal
appearance, yet he dresses to suit his
taste and appreciates the fact that
clothes are a part of the job. He
goes about his work with a non-ef-
faceable smile, proof against any try
ing situation or unreasonable custom
err. His patience and courtesy are
never failing, although his demeanor
Is such that self-respect Is always
maintained. He is prompt In the
morning and prompt to get away at
night; from his coming to his going
there is not a single idle moment.
He invariably speaks well of his
Job, of the equipment with which he
works, of his fellow workmen, of his
boss, of his town, Of his state and OF
his country If he ever has an I'M
favorable opinion Of any Of these
things you will only be aware of it by
his silence His tact, diplomacy and
friendliness are such as to keep him
on good terms with everybody around
the place. He is approachable for
conference any time; situation
which makes team work possible.
II the business manager or fell
low workman tells him of something
about to be undertaken, he always
comes to the surface with the words,
That's fine After he has thought
the matter over he may have word
of caution or friendly criticism. But
he comes with manner guaranteeing
that what he says is well meant.
He knows there must be some
source of authority, a guiding hand,
someone to plan for others to execute.
The ideal employee will never inter
pose aggressiyely his wishes to con-
fuse or obstruct. He is alert to I'M
derstand and, having understood, to
carry out He realizes that all de-
tails with their infinite reactions can
not be grasped by anyone of human
wisdom but he also knows that the
man at the helm has the better OPP
portunity to comprehend. He light
ems the care and burden of manage
ment by cheerful and enthusiastic
acquiescence.
You know he expects good wages;
you would feel ashamed to pay him
anything less than his services are
worth. Yet he never mentions sal
ary-the ideal employee should never
have occasion to. You must not ex-
pect him to be contented in job
where wages is all he gets. If he
is not learning you could not keep
him at any price. He is alert thru
out the business day to pick up in
formation and he studies every avail
able book or publication about his
work, outside of business hours.
Such a paragon may exist some
where. have seen many fellow
who came very near it. Have know
many more who were near enough
for all practical purposes. They are
a joy wherever found and usually
but not always go we'll toward the top
in their life work. Even IL they
fail, they get a good deal more out of
life than the fellow who is content
to do only half his best
Between two radically opposing
views which an employee may take Of
his job / have great choice. He
may regard it as purely temporary
matter, intending to change to some
other employment later on, or to en-
gage In business for himself. There
Is never a thought in my mind Of
questioning his views on this subject.
Perhaps the ambition to sometime be
the proprietor or at least at the head
OF some business Is a natural and
laudable one. In view of the oft
demonstrated fact that something less
than one in ten get thru business life
without disaster and failure, 1t is per-
haps strangs that so many constantly
seek to make the trial. The idea
must come from the thought that only
by entering business on ones own
account can full opportunity for de-
velopment be found. AS matter of
fact, unlimited scope for the appli-
cation of energy and ability can be
found as an employee. The ideal
man may we'll determine to make his
business success as part OF the
organization where he finds himself
; employed. 1t Is not big enough for
him the same characteristic which
will be necessary for him to make a
success Of his own will develop the
| organization with which he is already
perfectly answer his ambitions. The
ideal employee from the very start
will think of himself as arriving ul-
timately at its head, or at least, at the
head of some important department
! This he can do without risking his
own capital, He cannot expect the
road to success thus pointed out to
| be wholly devoid of care and anxiety
But such as he meets therein will be
of a quality less killing than that to
| be found in an enterprise Of his own
If he can at the very outset, con-
vince his employer of his purpose tc
remain permanently as part of the
| organization he will be taken into
confidence and friendship In a man
ner not otherwise possible. If the
employing firm Is anything more than
commonplace 1t will have devices, sys-
TENS, plans and processes which are
the result of good deal of effort
and expenditure extending over long
period. II the employee expects all
OF these to be placed rapidly at his
disposal he must In some way con-
vince his employer that this know
ledge will never be used in competi-
H. l.