The Next Next Common Sense
having a coherent understanding of which roles take priority when, is not yet a part of the corporate landscape. The notion of multiple and conflicting roles is important if the goal is coherence. While each of us is a single person (and while our organizations like to be thought of as a single entity), in reality within the structure of this one self lies a creature who must fit into many different roles and who bears many different responsibilities. Who among us has not felt torn between the demands of a sick child at home, and a business deal that will fall apart if not attended to yesterday? The tension from conflicts among these roles works to dissipate a sense of coherence, while resolving such conflicts enhances coherence and its related qualities. Multiple levels and roles are in some sense a separation between being a part of one thing and a whole of something else - e.g. a subordinate and yet a product team leader. This multiplicity has only increased in contem- porary work arrangements. Consider how the pandemic-accelerated shift to remote and hybrid work has further complicated role management. The marketing manager who once had a clear separation between “work self” and “home self” now toggles between preparing a presentation and helping with home- work—sometimes within the same hour. The boundaries that once pro- vided structure have become permeable, requiring new approaches to role management. The old common sense says that work comes first. Work is whatever the company says it is. As new tasks appear or as conflicts occur, then answers are there waiting to be revealed, i.e. do what the boss tells you. In a world of complication, it is not surprising that facets remain hidden, to be unfolded and revealed by the boss or corporate headquarters, as necessary (and only on a need-to-know basis). Under this scenario, Lisa’s choices are simple. Don’t waste time with the mechanic, Jeff will deal with it when he gets home, so take a taxi to work. Josh will wait - the school will understand that work is more important and so will Josh. Lorraine will accept a scolding for being unavailable and will tell Lisa in turn that if she were a good mother she would be home for Josh and not playing footsie
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