My vet calls my cats by name. In fact, he sends the shot and treatment reminder postcards to the cats name at our address and not to me or the wife. He is a good friend and I'll have to discuss this with him, as he is a large animal vet, also.

My opinion is that an Investigation of his take on the subject will reveal the same conclusion as Jon stated in his report on named and numbered sheep.

I had a Yellow Lab at one time, who suffered a fatal injury. It was his fault, but I took full responsibility. The vet offered to get the Vet school helicopter to come pick him up. To say no to that offer was difficult. When we lost him the next day, I said never again to the thought of owning a dog. The cats belong to the wife, but I know their names and I guess that speaks to the problem I have dealing with the cats - I know their names - They are not cat #1 and cat #2.

So what's my problem? People.

When in grad school, I taught two entry level science classes of 200 +- students each. Like Jon, I considered these sheep to be not worthy of more than a number, in their case a student ID number. Except for a few. There was one "Little Girl" who I'll call LT to avoid lawsuits. I still remember her name even though 35 years have passed since I last saw her. She was an elementary education major taking a science course for non science majors and as simple as I could make things was still to complicated for her. Her constant whining and pleading burned her into my memory forever.

I had another (male) student very much the same. I guess these were my sheep #s 57 and 58.

Today, I have a number of chemists that work for me, or rather for my lab manager. Like Jon's sheep I know most of them on a sort of number only basis. Until I see somethinmg special, there is little need for any more identity than that.

This may make me less than I should be or at least identify me as a bad person. I don't know, but it struck me that the Nazis numbered the Jews and kept them nameless.

Numbers for sheep are ok, but I guess I should name my chemists in a way more personal than sheep #1 and sheep #2. The trouble is all I see when I look at them is Baaaaaa Baaaaaa and occassionally one that falls in the ditch and can't get out. They are bad to stand out in the rain of a driving thunderstorm, six feet outside of an open barn door and the smell of fresh hay.

I do know my lab manager's name. He is a lot like Jon's sheepdog, Rose.

:o)

meridiantoo, you are clearly a very intelligent academic and businessman, but I wonder if your take on people is reflected in some way -- like do you have trouble finding employees?

Knowing what you reveal above, I doubt many people would be clamoring to work for you if they could not be lab manager. At least you are aware of it.

Then again, if you view them as sheep, even if you don't treat them like sheep, do you get sheep-like behavior? It seems the chances of being promoted from chemist to lab manager is remote, as the deck is stacked against them.

The expectation and incentive to break from the herd and contribute in your organization beyond just their job of being herded would seem to be lacking.

But it takes no small amount of introspection and courage to discuss this openly, as you have. I just wonder if getting past it may help your business.

Actually, my people like me.

The lab operates very much as a stand alone area. Our industry is heavily regulated and my involvement in daily activities and interface with individula Chemists is very limited.. Mostly they deal with the Lab manager, who is a PhD Chemist. My impression is that they like him, too.

Maybe it's just me. I don't see a lot of potential in these people as problem solvers. When a problem comes up, they just stop working and wait for someone else to solve it for them. That is an over simplification of a very complicated problem that at its base I have identified as a lack of initiative in these junior scientists.

Yes we try to develop them, yes we push for problem resolution activity. To oversimplify their response would be to say that ll I get from them is Baaaaaaaaa.

Do you know what a guines pig often does when it comes to a barrier in a maze? It stops and just sits there. Perfect description of today's university level lab worker.

Sadly, they are well paid sheep.

A big problem? yes - I need a sheep dog!

I have several non degreed professionals and managers, who have worked up through the ranks.

Excellent people. Very productive.

There you have the problem. Well educated do nothings vs motivated workers and good problem solvers.