Chicken or Pig?
by Steve Adubato, Ph.D. |
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Last week’s column explored some of the more interesting and challenging questions asked in a job interview. One of the more perplexing questions was asked by Reid Bundonis; “A farmer wants a bacon and egg sandwich. Do you consider yourself the chicken or the pig?”
Who would have thought this chicken and pig question would compel so many readers to write in with such thought provoking responses? Admittedly, I was confused by the question and really felt stupid after receiving the following responses from readers who clearly had either heard of or considered this question before. It seems as if the common interpretation of this question is that the chicken, while involved in doing a job, is not nearly as committed as the pig who gives up its life in the process. Clearly, job interviewers are seeking to ascertain a prospective employee’s level of commitment to a job and/or an organization. Chicken or pig, here we go.
“I am certainly the chicken—I would be able to continue providing the needed product long-term, whereas if I were the pig, the effort to produce what was desired would literally kill me, and would be a one-time effort! Plus, eggs are better for you than bacon!” Jennifer Wiseman, Nurse Practitioner, Green Brook NJ
“I am the chicken, as I will deliver great results repeatedly (isn’t the egg the ‘perfect food’?). Tom Black from Kinnelon, NJ
“When I am asked to make a contribution, I do not want my contribution to be so self-sacrificing that there is nothing left to give--for example, a workaholic who burns out. To contribute a perfect, tasty egg and be able to produce another one next time the farmer wants a sandwich is the ultimate in efficient productivity.” Brenda Hebert, Bloomfield, NJ
“The chicken or the pig, I consider myself the pig. You see the chicken was involved with the making of the breakfast, however the pig, now he was committed to the making of the breakfast for he gave his life for it.” Dennis J. Lysaght of Westfield, NJ
“I’d have to be the chicken. The chicken has a symbiotic relationship with the farmer. It gives its eggs to the farmer in exchange that the farmer takes care of it. It’s a two-way street much like a proper employee-employer relationship. This is a relationship that is mutually beneficial and long lasting. The pig’s relationship with the farmer is a much shorter one. The pig is like an employee who burns himself out. It gives its all until there is no more to give. The employer (farmer) then needs to expend time and money to replace it.” Chris LaBudde of Bloomfield, NJ
“To me, this choice is a no-brainer. The chicken who supplies the egg, lives to ‘lay’ another day. The pig who supplies the bacon, well, he has given his all. Of course at my age and cholesterol count, it is Egg Beaters and turkey bacon, so the chicken and the pig are safe.” Marc Eisen of Monroe Township
Out of the over two dozen people who wrote in, the majority said they considered themselves the chicken. My take? While job interviewers may be seeking employees who are willing to commit by going to the wall (or the slaughterhouse) most people aren’t willing to go nearly that far. In some ways this question seems a bit out of date in that many feel their organization or employer would not go to the wall for them. It is a two-way street and professionals don’t have to be slaughtered in order to make meaningful contributions to productivity and the bottom line. I promise, no more chicken and pig columns. This question has me fried.
Dr. Steve Adubato coaches and speaks on the subjects of communication
and leadership and is the author of the book "Speak from the Heart."
Write to him at The Star-Ledger, 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, NJ
07102, or click here
to contact him through this web site.
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