A job that many want, few desire

Happy Monday! Tell me this isn’t your dream job:

— No required work hours, but figure on 60 per week.

— Can’t talk with co-workers unless you’re all in the same room at the same time.

— Nearly every day, someone is challenging your ethics, heritage, and overall sense of decency.

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— You have thousands of bosses and no two are alike.

— Your “job” takes place in front of a live audience. Nearly everyone in the room wants something from you and will be disappointed if you can’t or won’t deliver.

— The job is to know everything at all times.

— If you screw up even once, there’s hell to pay.

— Private life? Forget it.

— You know how workers sit at conference tables where they can look each other in the eye while discussing issues? Nope, that’s not this job. In this job, you and your four co-workers sit side-by-side, like a painting of the Last Supper. Not a conducive environment for collaborative discussions.

— There is a tremendous amount of paperwork, email, text messages, reports, studies, and high-level meetings. Not every day, but nearly every day.

— In this job, you’re never sure what you’ll face. But your bosses will expect you to know it all anyway.

— You’re not sure who to trust.

— People will speak quite reverently about you. They will pump your ego like never before.

— Others will take every single opportunity to tear you down.

— There’s cool stuff with the job, too. Speaking at community ceremonies, for example.

— You’re in the middle of a constant tug-of-war between opposing factions.

— Some people don’t trust you, and they’ll say that right to your face.

— Others go online and do the same thing behind fake names.

— Did I mention the job is complicated? The rules are constantly changing, someone is always threatening to sue you, and there’s a very good chance something will cross your desk that makes zero sense.

— Your bosses are a fickle bunch. On any whim, they’d give you a hefty raise tomorrow. Or toss you to the street.

— Everyone else is smarter than you. Or, at least they think so.

— You oversee hundreds of millions of dollars. You’re not an accountant and math was not your favorite subject in school. In this job, you’re a financial expert. Even if you’re not.

— You need to get along with co-workers, though some of them may have different views on how things should go than you do. 

— Being quick on your feet is a must. Your job is to convince at least two co-workers to agree with your viewpoint. These discussions occur in a spontaneous setting under glaring lights as the audience watches intently.

— If ever there was a learn-as-you-go job, this is it. Be willing to broaden your horizons like never before.

— Despite all this, anyone can do it. Literally, any adult. No experience required.

— Because the bosses are a fickle bunch, your co-workers may not share the same skill set. Sometimes, bosses bring in an outlier just to see what happens.

— Even though this is the hardest job you’ll ever have, some people will expect you to do it for free, and will become rather indignant when it’s suggested you earn the pay.

— You’ll love this job, or dislike it. Very little in-between.

— It’s considered “public service." Many who have held this job say it gives them a feeling of servitude.

— You’re in the news a lot. You learn to speak with people as if you’re being quoted.

— No one truly understands this job other than those who have held it.

— It can be a very lonely profession.

— Oh, and no matter how successful you are, there’s a better than even chance you’ll be fired after four years.

Look. No one pokes at the County Commission more than me, but be honest: Would you want this job?

Next year is a big one for elections. Commissioners Rebecca Bays and Diana Finegan are up for re-election. No clue what their plans are, but it’s always the hope that County Commission races will attract strong candidates.

We need candidates who know exactly what they’re signing up for. This isn’t glamorous work. It’s serious business with a ton of variables.

Commissioners have another difficult agenda on Tuesday. Politics aside, I think these five could use a little grace. They’re individuals with strong personalities who are struggling to work collaboratively. Some encouragement from their bosses wouldn’t hurt.

And that’s our Monday. Have a great one, friends.

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