I believe you stress one very important thing – if you aren't a fan of your job you should consider changing it. This doesn't automatically mean you should actually change it.

Glad to hear you feel good at your company.

One thing is, I hated my last job, and I didn't like my boss or agree with just about anything he did. Now, I work for a smaller company, a software company. We have around 30 employees here. This is the smallest company I've ever worked here. And of course the culture and environment is much different. We have a very strong leader/CEO/Owner, who preaches customer service, quality, and continuous improvement constantly. And he practices what he preaches. I like that. Also, my role is more of a hybrid project manager/technical analyst, so it's great for me because I've been on both sides. I am a big picture person, but I also like to flex my technical and programming skills every now and then.

I can understand what you're saying. But I think if you are not a fan of your job, you should possibly think about looking for a different one. And/or, if you have the means to do it, maybe even think about changing careers, or at least branching off in a different direction.

So very true. When I wear my managerial hat I'm the first to do something with people who shows how they lost their illusion to the whole world. If they don't want to change attitude they're going to be forced to change a job.

On the other hand a heck lot of people keep their disillusion for themselves and for their friends. This doesn't really harm much beyond personal performance which is often acceptable for employers. Actually this was a group I was aiming for with the post. This is the group where my friend probably can be found.

Just a professional will always be vanquished by a professional who puts a heart in their job.

Let me just say that I was a fan of my job when I started it.

I believe that an individual's PMA is for the common good. In teams a "disillusioned" member can do a lot of harm. A negative / wavering leader – probably even more.

But then, what you write is true. True from my experience, that is.

And regarding your friend's approach – here's a quote that I came across today:

"Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream" – Malcolm Muggeridge.

Fits?

Again, I'm not innocent myself. But then, any illusion we maintain… is not without a cost, is it? Life is permanent, work – probably not.

Cheers, Pawel!

-Lech