en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/764198 Comments by changetheworld http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2010/01/spark-97-january-3-5-2010/#IDComment52716916 Articulate comments about a complex topic - complex, I think, not in the subject matter but in the solutions. Clearly job satisfaction tends to increase if there is an opportunity to develop + exhibit competence, and to have mutual respect. But many workplaces operate like a pack, one which gives the reward of social acceptance to those who act within the established levels of authority/permission. Leaders often use top-down control methods which promote infantilization and destroy confidence/competence. Workers who use initiative may only survive if they are branded as a lone wolf (freeing the pack from having to compete at that level) or if successful enough to become the boss. The happiest seem to be those who leave the problem behind by starting an enterprise where they are in control (like the bike mechanic). It’s a really good point that if consumers choose to use (or, perhaps even better, to become) "makers" or "fixers" of things instead of buying new stuff produced by third-world slave labourers, there could be more small enterprise jobs within our local economy that are capable of permitting the freedom which seems a strong part of work satisfaction. Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:13:12 +0000 http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2010/01/spark-97-january-3-5-2010/#IDComment52716916