When I used to come to work, I competed with people I knew for promotions, pay increases, and retaining my job. Now I compete with people around the world who are very talented and willing to do my job for about as little as a quarter of what I make. I am okay with that as long as the playing field is level, because with the right tools and technologies I can compete effectively.

What I am not okay with is people getting in the way of my productivity. I am caught between a CEO who is demanding that costs be reduced and a CIO whose job it is to protect the digital security and reputation of the firm. I understand why it is important for the CIO to do that, but I disagree with how he is going about it. I also understand why it is important to get costs down, so that the company can compete effectively for customers in the marketplace. However, it should not come at the cost of me not being able to compete for my job. The way that these IT policies are being implemented is impacting my productivity, and I feel as if I am competing with one hand tied behind my back.

Given the poor condition of the job market, there is not much that I can do about this right now, other than hang in there. Once the job market improves, I will definitely be seeking employment at a firm whose IT policies support my desire to maximize my productivity. Moreover, I have a daughter graduating from college this year in a field with good job prospects. I have urged her to seek out an employer that supports her technology needs to maximize her effectiveness.

The global competitive landscape is changing markedly for companies and individuals. We all need to embrace this change so that we can continue to compete effectively in this new world, both as companies and individuals. Failure to do so will not be just a tactical failure, but a moral one. Do you want to be viewed as the person who put shackles on hardworking employees?