Individualism vs. the Masses of Society

[Tabris]

It has become more apparent to me that individualism in several aspects has become a taboo in our society. The question that I pose to you is how can you maintain your individualism with out sacrificing your principals and believes with in a working environment?

[Lost Traveler]

wouldnt not sacificing your principals and believes be maintaining your individualism?

[junkie christ]

i do it EVERYDAY. it just makes you chronicly lonely cuz when you go your own path, you can nix friends, family and relationships. it drives you to be alone.
but its not so bad..... at least you know you are your own. i mean ya take influence like anyone else, but the end product is yours and no wannabe-clever little BITCH can take it from you....
it works though.

[Nexxus23]

It has become more apparent to me that individualism in several aspects has become a taboo in our society. The question that I pose to you is how can you maintain your individualism with out sacrificing your principals and believes with in a working environment?

I'm not entirely sure what you're driving at, but I'll take a stab at it. I like to stab things, anyway.

A lot of it would depend on exactly what principles and beliefs we are referring to. Some beliefs can be set aside while in a working/social environment, whereas others cannot.
For example, religious beliefs should be kept quiet while at work to maintain a harmonious environment, but not compromised. If your religion taught that destroying the environment was evil, then technically you could not work for an oil company as your job would severely compromise your beliefs. You could take a job with the oil company and then preach to them that what they're doing is wrong, but you'll just get fired for it.
If it is a question of asserting individuality by way of attire or hairstyle, well, the way you dress or look doesn't dictate who you are, so in my mind that would be a moot point.
This has a lot to do with gray areas and personal morals- what is right? What is wrong? What am I willing to compromise for a buck?
Personally, there are a number of things I have no problem compromising- attire, hair, makeup, surface stuff. I will not compromise my own personal convictions, like I will never work for KFC (just Google up KFC+cruelty) or the corporate jewelry trade. I won't work for Nike or any company that sells Nike. I won't work for Liz Claiborne Inc. or any company that sells their clothing or accessories. The list goes on and on. Do my convictions sometimes impede my income? You bet. But some things just aren't for sale.

I hope that all made sense...

[iblis]

It has become more apparent to me that individualism in several aspects has become a taboo in our society. The question that I pose to you is how can you maintain your individualism with out sacrificing your principals and believes with in a working environment?

It's simple, but not easy. Just have the strength to back your convictions.

[blindboy]

It has become more apparent to me that individualism in several aspects has become a taboo in our society. The question that I pose to you is how can you maintain your individualism with out sacrificing your principals and believes with in a working environment?

I'm not entirely sure what you're driving at, but I'll take a stab at it. I like to stab things, anyway.

A lot of it would depend on exactly what principles and beliefs we are referring to. Some beliefs can be set aside while in a working/social environment, whereas others cannot.
For example, religious beliefs should be kept quiet while at work to maintain a harmonious environment, but not compromised. If your religion taught that destroying the environment was evil, then technically you could not work for an oil company as your job would severely compromise your beliefs. You could take a job with the oil company and then preach to them that what they're doing is wrong, but you'll just get fired for it.
If it is a question of asserting individuality by way of attire or hairstyle, well, the way you dress or look doesn't dictate who you are, so in my mind that would be a moot point.
This has a lot to do with gray areas and personal morals- what is right? What is wrong? What am I willing to compromise for a buck?
Personally, there are a number of things I have no problem compromising- attire, hair, makeup, surface stuff. I will not compromise my own personal convictions, like I will never work for KFC (just Google up KFC+cruelty) or the corporate jewelry trade. I won't work for Nike or any company that sells Nike. I won't work for Liz Claiborne Inc. or any company that sells their clothing or accessories. The list goes on and on. Do my convictions sometimes impede my income? You bet. But some things just aren't for sale.

I hope that all made sense...

you rock Nexxus = )

[Nexxus23]

you rock Nexxus = )

Awww, shucky-darns mister, you da bomb-diggity, too!

[Derk Jyslexic]

It has become more apparent to me that individualism in several aspects has become a taboo in our society. The question that I pose to you is how can you maintain your individualism with out sacrificing your principals and believes with in a working environment?

"For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure."
-Ralph Waldo Emmerson

sad but true.

my way of dealing with it in the workplace is a little different.
My boss is the biggest jerk i know.
tho sometimes he's ok.
i'm self employed.

I prostitute my time (and make no mistake about it- what is all work, if not trading money for your presence/knowledge/talents) on my rules.
if they dont like it- i tell them where they can stick it.
i dont do "quick n dirty" work.
you hire me- it gets done RIGHT.
may not be the fastest.. <but pretty close usually>
may not be the cheapest.. <tho often no where near the most expensive>
but i've managed to make a halfway decent living for a long time working ONLY thru word-of-mouth recommendations.

the few times i've had to deal with others, i tell them point blank- quality is what i'm interested in - "if you want something done half assed, dont hire an asshole like me."
part of that is safety-
i dont mind hanging my ass out on a limb, but i know what i'm doing.
ask me to sign off on something dangerous, and you just got yourself an express ticket to the CEO's office courtesy of yours truly. (yes that has happened more than once, and no- i was not very popular w/ the idiot who tried to slip one by). The people whose safety i assured tended to have a little more bounce in their step when i was around, and were often more co-operative if i told them it would be safe to try something new.

management isnt a bad thing-
tho admittedly there are some managers who have no idea what it is to manage- to them its looming, hovering and other incideous forms of micromanagement, as if they would understand whats going on anyway!
some are really good at it, and understand that some people work differently, some people need to be given a daily/weekly/monthly dose of dialogue and feedback to encourage them.
personally, as a manager i like guys like me.
point me at the problem, inform me whats illegal locally, if its applicable, then get outta my way before you get run over!
i'll be back when i'm done, or i run into something that requires something that i do not have access to (be it additional manpower, tools, or booze to bribe the manpower to use the tools - you'd be surprised)
feedback- "damn that was quick", or a simple "fantastic- heres the next thing"
I DETEST the people who feel they need "face time" to look like theyre doing more work.. "well- today I did this, and that and the other thing." i just want to yell "its part of your job to do all that stuff, so why are you telling me??" but the manager in me says "ok, thats nice, good job" pats them on the back and sends them on their way.
if i'm doing my job- i KNOW whos working, and whos slacking off. and if youre grabbing face time, that generally means you're not working. (tho- come to think of it, buying me drinks after work and discussing tomorrow's impending nightmares.)
[/rant]

derk
"Leave me alone or I'll have you terminated."
"You can't fire me!"
"You misunderstood, I wasn't speaking of employment."