24th October 2008, 04:51 PM
A few thoughts from an old-lag.
1. Everyone... from students, newbies, old-lags, yuppie-managers and unit directors. Accept that every once in a while [u]YOU</u> are actually wrong about something... and grow some gonads to actually admit that it was [u]YOUR</u> oversight / mistake / omission / f**k-up. Don't try to cover it up and never, ever pass the buck... be a brave soldier and accept that you have faults too (just like everyone else).
2. Old-lags... sometimes you just have to admit to yourself that someone younger, fitter, a different sex and better brained than you SHOULD (WILL) get past you in the jobs market. It's called evolution.
3. Newbies and Stoodents... your dissertation supervisor has told you that you are the "Best thing since Binford". You may actually be a whole lot better than Binford, but try and tone it down a little... arrogance is one thing (actually helps in some cases) but being a know-all, "I went to Camoxdursheffshire University and I am an archaeological God!" git is another.
4. Supervisors and PO's... never make someone do something that you wouldn't do yourself. If it is Siberia outside the tea-hut, would you go outside? "Nah! I's staying inside where it's warm and dry" (excuse... some admin / post-ex to do). Yet you make the troops get out there. Don't abuse your power!
5. Project Managers, Consultants... just because you have to suit-up and power-dress every now and again, don't forget your roots... the actual archaeology, your colleagues and the staff that helped you to such a high-vaunted position. Remember, you were a sh*t-digging mud-buddy once... if you have to visit a site, try and have a quick chat with the lower echelons. Don't be arrogant and snobish.
1. Everyone... from students, newbies, old-lags, yuppie-managers and unit directors. Accept that every once in a while [u]YOU</u> are actually wrong about something... and grow some gonads to actually admit that it was [u]YOUR</u> oversight / mistake / omission / f**k-up. Don't try to cover it up and never, ever pass the buck... be a brave soldier and accept that you have faults too (just like everyone else).
2. Old-lags... sometimes you just have to admit to yourself that someone younger, fitter, a different sex and better brained than you SHOULD (WILL) get past you in the jobs market. It's called evolution.
3. Newbies and Stoodents... your dissertation supervisor has told you that you are the "Best thing since Binford". You may actually be a whole lot better than Binford, but try and tone it down a little... arrogance is one thing (actually helps in some cases) but being a know-all, "I went to Camoxdursheffshire University and I am an archaeological God!" git is another.
4. Supervisors and PO's... never make someone do something that you wouldn't do yourself. If it is Siberia outside the tea-hut, would you go outside? "Nah! I's staying inside where it's warm and dry" (excuse... some admin / post-ex to do). Yet you make the troops get out there. Don't abuse your power!
5. Project Managers, Consultants... just because you have to suit-up and power-dress every now and again, don't forget your roots... the actual archaeology, your colleagues and the staff that helped you to such a high-vaunted position. Remember, you were a sh*t-digging mud-buddy once... if you have to visit a site, try and have a quick chat with the lower echelons. Don't be arrogant and snobish.