My Renaissance

Nicholas Carlson
BUS 1050

Throughout this semester I have had the opportunity to have thought provoking
and reflective experiences while learning from many famous philosophers regarding the
topic of business. As I read through the stories and insights of these enlightened
individuals, I was able to ponder how they relate to me and my life. It was eye opening
to see that I have had many similar experiences to those described in the readings. At the
beginning of this course I never would have imagined being able to relate to these
experiences from the history of business. Many just like me can see themselves as part of
the story unfolding and see how their lives have changed from it. We all have our dark
times, those when we are at our lowest and most vulnerable. However, from the darkness
comes the light and triumphant returns that make one stronger. I feel that from these
readings I have seen my own dark times and also seen how I overcame those difficulties.
This is my renaissance.
Throughout this course, many readings were striking and stuck out to me. The
readings that stuck out the most were those I could picture myself in as well as those I
have had similar experiences to. Many of these readings related to the conflict between
labor and capital, or employee versus employer/management. I have had various jobs
where I felt there was a major division between labor and capital. Some readings spoke
directly to this point and allowed me to see that there is a problem in industry today
where there is a barrier between labor and capital. One reading that had particular
influence on me was Mike LeFevere, Steel Worker.
The author of Mike LeFevere, Steel Worker, Studs Terkel, was an author who was
known for his accounts and histories of everyday people. In this particular reading we
get to know Mike, a worker who is experiencing the problem of labor versus capital first

hand. Throughout the reading we see he has a negative attitude towards the situation,
which is overall attributed to not feeling like he is being recognized. He also feels he
cant take pride in his work because he doesnt see the end results. Although the problem
presented is a major one, Mike see that businesses can provide a better working
environment for their workers through means such as recognition and being more
personalized. I have had similar experiences to Mike in my own work and this is why
this reading applies to my renaissance.
Ever since I have had a job I have always felt recognition was an important aspect
of work. When I began I thought I would receive continuous recognition because I see
myself as a hard worker. However, I was mistaken and see that at times this is not fully
possible. Without recognition I felt lost. Was I doing well, or was I on the border of
losing my job. From this reading I see the options I have to consider such my attitude
and how to perform my work. This is my renaissance because I used to feel like I wasnt
valued as an employee. Now I see I am, it just can take a little time. I was recently
recognized as the employee of the month at my job, and what a relief that was to me. I
saw that my hard work and dedication wasnt going unnoticed and because of that I felt a
renewal in myself to keep up the good work. I now see that recognition is a powerful
tool in building employees up and leads them to strive for greatness.
Continuing along with this concept of recognition, Karl Marx talks about work
becoming degrading for employees in his reading Alienated Labor. One problem that
workers encounter is their work becomes tiresome and uneventful, which can be caused
by a lack of recognition. Marx mentions how work becomes just a way to provide and
nothing more. I have experienced this at times where I only care about making my

paycheck. The times I have only focused on work as just a means to provide I have seen
myself not liking my job and have been left with a feeling of inadequacy. On the other
hand though, I have grown from experiences where I make the effort to see work as
something more and attempted to make a stronger bond to the company. These events
are the ones that help bridge the gap between labor and capital.
The problem I have seen from own personal work experience is there is a lack of
connection between employees and their employers. It is interesting to see this because I
feel that these groups should be working together rather than against one another. One
reading that talks about this idea is An Employers View of the Labor Question by Andrew
Carnegie. In this reading, Carnegie explains the struggle that labor and capital are in and
suggests ways in which they can create a positive relationship. I feel this reading
provided a great stepping-stone to break the barrier between division of labor and capital.
I have a seen myself oftentimes feeling lesser than my superiors as well as feeling like I
cant talk with them because we are divided. Growing up, I was always a little bit timid
and never liked talking directly to people, except those I could trust. There are times
even now I see myself avoiding certain situations and discussions with others. These
times have made it so I cant excel and grow in the work environment. I now see the
importance of working together with my managers and superiors so we can accomplish
the end goal. I also feel that this is important because trust is developing between us and
as it does barriers are broken.
For myself, as the division between employees and employers lessens, the
solution to the labor and industrial question becomes clear. As workers and management
interact more, relationship are built. The Rockefeller reading The Personal Relation in

Industry pretty much sums up the solution to this problem: personalization. In it

Rockefeller mentions how companies used to be more personalized, but as they grew
they lost that aspect. This resulted in bonds being broken and the interests becoming
separated between the two groups. I have had times where I have felt like a number, and
not valued because a personal touch is lacking. It is hard to enjoy your work when you
cant come to a common ground with management and when you dont feel recognized.
My renaissance is overcoming these feelings of unappreciation, feeling lesser, and feeling
out of place. These feelings have led to low times for me that I thought I would never
recover from. Looking at it now I see that these trials only made me stronger. I now feel
like I know how to get recognized, how to trust my superiors, and how to develop better
relationships with my employers.
Reflecting on my experiences has reminded me of many low times. However, by
seeing the low I have also been able to see the highs and grow. I see my renaissance as
being a triumph over the divide of labor and capital where we can work together for a
common goal. Through recognition, hard work, and personalization I have seen the
benefits of these to groups working together with one purpose rather than against each
other and causing conflict. This has been a lesson for me to embrace shortcomings and
see the light that can come from them.