Let me explain. On a visit to the United States I was boarding a plane in New Orleans bound for Chicago. The flight was full and it was taking time to get to my seat. As I stepped aboard I remarked to a steward that I was surprised how busy it was. Her response was immediate. "Yes sir, I am delighted to say we are fully loaded. It's good for the company." The look of delight on her face as she spoke, said it all. Here was an employee who could see the 'bottom line'. Full flights meant good business and job security. No matter that she would have to work that much harder on what is at the best of times a gruelling journey.
The second conversation was with a young porter at a hotel on the Algarve just a couple of weeks ago. He was delivering suitcases to the room and I asked if the hotel was busy? With considerable pride he informed me that the hotel was completely full until October 15. Then he went on to say, "It's fantastic for all of us who work here as the local economy is struggling and jobs are difficult to find." Separate continents, separate jobs but a common attitude towards having a job.
I had numerous conversations with the young man over the next few days and it was clear to me that in different circumstances he could have obtained a more demanding career but needs must and rather than view his lot in life negatively he adopted a positive and pragmatic approach. He too, saw the ?bottom line?. If the hotel is full then that was good for him and the rest of the workforce.
I'm not sure that we British see things in quite the same way. There's an infamous character in Peter Tinniswood's wonderful comedy "I didn't know you cared", set in a South Yorkshire town in the 1970's, by the name of Uncle Mort. Each weekday he went to the factory where his nephew and brother work to take lunch with them. The three of them sat down in the workshop to devour their sandwiches. The three of them complained constantly about the factory, the management, the hours, how busy they were etc. etc.
As the siren sounded to mark the return to work, Uncle Mort came out with a classic statement that has stuck with me to this day. In typical broad Yorkshire tones he uttered, the immortal line "Tha don't know how lucky you are lads to have jobs to moan abart."
That line has stayed with me. It's true - we British do like a good moan, especially about our work. Nothing wrong with that you might say. I agree, at least to an extent, but at the same time we should also appreciate the importance of our contribution to making the business we work in succeed. If the business is doing well, then so are we. In the fast moving global market that British businesses compete in today, a positive, committed workforce can make all the difference between success and failure. And you know what? Funny as Uncle Mort was, he was a miserable sod! I'd rather view the world through the eyes of the air steward and hotel porter.
