Comments on: Are You a Value Creator or Value Extractor?

By: Martha Gray

Martha Gray — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:28:47 +0000

What you are describing is the difference between entrepreneurs and employees. I agree that one is not necessarily better than the other. That said, however, our educational system is almost entirely focused on training employees instead of teaching people to be entreprenueurs and to employ others – i.e., in teaching and promoting conformity over independence and creativity. In fact, our educational system is based on a Prussian model instituted in the 18th century specfically for this purpose. See the following Wikipedia website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussian_education_system. Here is a very telling quote:

“Seeking to replace the controlling functions of the local aristocracy, the Prussian court attempted to instill social obedience in the citizens through indoctrination. Every individual had to become convinced, in the core of his being, that the King was just, his decisions always right, and the need for obedience paramount.”

This is what our educational system is based on. It appears to have been pretty effective in promoting its over-arching goal, wouldn’t you agree?

M. Gray

By: vshamu

vshamu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:31:05 +0000

The column is an awesome column.any one can applied this to his daily life.Everyone can be happy and world would be more productive to understand the meaning of your column.Thanks to write a wonderful column.

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:37:44 +0000

Man, if everyone could understand this concept the world would be a must happier and more productive place! We are taught to conform to people’s expectations for us not what we feel or know to be true inside us.
I enjoy reading your column very much. It can be applied to work school and life. Thanks.

By: caroluward

caroluward — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:50:46 +0000

The story touched me immensely because I could identify with it in many ways. I was an executive holding a techno-administrative position for most of my working life and I always worked hard to fulfill the dual responsibilities of my job.

Although most of my colleagues were critical of my attitude towards work and financial compensations from the employers were inadequate, I was never discouraged. I did the best I could. I can honestly say that I derived genuine inner satisfaction from my work and it is a great reward in itself. Thanks!