We say that someone occupies an official position, whereas it is the official position that occupies him.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People often think they control their jobs, but the roles often control them.
- In plain terms
- Your job title might control you more than you control it.
- What can you take from it?
- Ensure you serve the role rather than letting it consume your identity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does your job define you or do you define it?
- Where does your role end and you begin?
Another view
Sometimes adapting to the role is necessary for success.
More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
The Greeks possessed a knowledge of human nature we seem hardly able to attain to without passing through the strengthening hibernation of a new barbarism.
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