Why Are You Working There?

It never ceases to amaze me that we will accept work in areas that we are not a good fit. Consider the story of Jim Nicholson, teller extraordinaire at Key Bank in Seattle. Jim was fired from his job after stopping a bank robbery and successfully chasing down the thief.

Though he had worked as a teller for two years, Jim let his passions override what he knew to be bank policy regarding bank robberies. According to Jim (not the TV show), "They tell us that we're just supposed to comply, but my instincts kicked in and I did what's best to stop the guy." As a result, Jim was fired from his job.

I don't condone Jim's actions, but I certainly understand them. Even he states, "It's something I almost look forward to. It's a thrill and I'm an adrenaline-junkie person. It's the pursuit." This isn't the first time he has pursued would-be criminals. Even one of the police officers suggested he apply to become a cop.

It seems that many organizations no longer embrace common sense. There are too many rules and policies to adhere to. I do think Jim is just the kind of guy I'd want on my team. Too often, people are working in environments where they refuse, or are afraid, to think outside the box. Consider the Bank of America branch manager that refused to let a customer, born without arms, cash a check because he couldn't provide his thumb print. The employees and manager involved in this fiasco are not the type of individuals I want on my team. Companies need individuals who can show initiative and who think outside the box.

I would certainly recommend that Jim look for work that aligns with his values, dreams, and passions. I would ask him why he has worked as a teller for two years and in retail before that. These positions certainly don't align with his adrenaline-junkie personality. How about you? Are you working in a job aligned with your passions, or just collecting a paycheck?