The Mind at Work

The Mind at Work

Chapters 1- 6

The written work The Mind at Work, Valuing the Intelligence of the American Worker by Mike Rose, is a book where he demonstrates that blue-collars workers such as waitresses, carpenters, hairstylist, and plumbers, etc. are just stereotype jobs that people underestimate. Rose in his work shows how "intelligence" is defined differently in each work situation. Rose defines and classifies intelligence as: "the ability to learn and act on the environment, to apply knowledge to new situations, to reason, plan, and solve problems." (p. xxiii) Rose explores the cognitive knowledge each of these workers have and how their proficiency is developed in their profession. This book changes the perspective held from people that those who work with their hands make up a less intelligent class.

To begin with, the book can be separated by different skills. Chapter one and two explores the principal skills a waitress and a hairstylist must have, communication. The communication skill for these kinds of jobs is high. In this kind of work it is crucial the social relation, "social intelligence," every employee should have, so the demands of the customer can be accomplish. Rose shows us how waitresses must take into account the understanding and the knowledge of the menu to offer the customers a good selection or to help in the decision of dishes. Rose's mother, the waitress is described with magnificent skills of multitasking abilities, and negotiation skills necessary to be in a proficient level. In his analysis, Rose discusses the "physically punishing" aspects of the job (p. 26), the tolerance of rudeness or insulting behaviors (p. 26). In a similar manner the hairstylist should count with these skills, so haircut guidance or color hair dye can help the customer in the decision making. In addition, these two workers should have some knowledge of math for quick calculations on the final bills. Rose pictures perceptions from a series of hair stylists, who attempt to convey their managerial and artistic sense. "You've got to add up the pieces of the puzzle, so that you end up with a road map as to how I'm going to cut this haircut." (p. 33). "Don't assume you know what [the customers] want," says another stylist, "because they may not even know what they want." (p. 43). Rose illustrates the interaction between the stylist and the customer, perceiving the ability of a capable stylist to bring her own artistic vision to abide on the customer's desires. While analyzing these two characters, it is interesting to find out how the communication skills are higher, contrary to the other professions, which required less social interaction, but more knowledge of the subject and manipulation of tools.

Furthermore, chapter three thru five relates how the intelligence and skills of the plumber, the carpenter, and the electrician varies, having less interaction with a customer, but with the work to be done. In the chapter about plumbing and carpentry, Rose relates the story of two teachers, who invest their time teaching students in their vocational studies. These teachers are compromised with those students because they

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