The Daydreaming Employee

I remember an old boss of mine telling me a story of a company owner whose office was positioned so he could see the office windows of his employees. One particular employee spent time every day with his arms behind his head and his feet up on the desk. This became the employee the owner would seek out on his window watch. While others were working, this employee was goofing off. He called in a subservient and asked, “What does that man think he’s doing? Who is he? Why does he have a job here?”

The subservient answered, “That’s Tom. He takes time right before lunch every day to think.”

“Tom?” the boss blinked. “That can’t be. Tom has the highest productivity every month.”

“Yes, that’s him,” came the answer. “And he’s been bringing innovative ideas to the meetings. He also leaves the office later than everyone else. That’s the guy.” 

Hard work isn’t always enough. Sometimes you have to get creative.