B) Favour Flavour

​When you start a job, you’re like a fresh piece of gum (to your boss).  But, when you lose all your flavour you’re spat out into the garbage.  You want to work so long as you have flavour, the moment that flavour is gone, move on.  When you openly adopt or secretly anoint colleagues as family, you (and your boss) get used to chewing flavourless gum, so long as the results usher the statis quo.  You chew old gum, like you love your colleagues.  What happens when your BOSS's boss spits him or her out?  Does your ex-boss’s BOSS want to chew used gum?  From a loser?  Don’t lose flavour.  Favour flavour.

The metaphor of being like a piece of gum in the context of a job—starting off fresh and appealing to your boss, but eventually losing your "flavor" over time—illustrates a vivid picture of how an employee's value or perceived value can diminish. This concept can be dissected into several key insights and advice for maintaining relevance and vibrancy in your professional life.


1. Maintain Your "Flavor"

• Continuous Learning: Commit to lifelong learning to keep your skills sharp and up-to-date. This could mean taking courses, attending workshops, or staying abreast of industry trends.
• Innovation: Always look for ways to innovate and improve processes within your role. This demonstrates your value beyond just completing tasks.
• Adaptability: Be open to change and willing to take on new challenges. Adaptability is a crucial skill in a rapidly changing work environment.

2. Recognize When It's Time to Move On

• Stagnation: If you feel like you're no longer growing or if you're no longer challenged in your role, it might be a sign that you've "lost your flavor" and it's time to seek new opportunities.
• Misalignment: When your values or career goals no longer align with your job or the company's direction, it's perhaps time to consider moving on.

3. The Importance of Relationships

• Building Alliances: While adopting or anointing colleagues as family can lead to a comfortable work environment, it's crucial to maintain professional boundaries and ensure these relationships are mutually beneficial and don't compromise work quality.
• Networking: Maintain a broad network outside of your immediate team and department. This can provide perspective, mentorship, and opportunities.

4. Understanding Organizational Dynamics

• Navigating Change: The scenario where a boss is "spat out" by their superior highlights the importance of understanding and navigating organizational politics and changes. Always be aware of the broader dynamics at play within your organization.
• Resilience: Prepare yourself to be resilient in the face of changes, including leadership changes. This resilience will help you maintain your value ("flavor") even when circumstances are tough.

5. Personal Branding

• Favour Flavour: The call to "favour flavour" can also be interpreted as a call to continuously cultivate and refine your personal brand. Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the world, including colleagues and superiors. A strong personal brand can help you maintain your "flavor."

In conclusion, this metaphor serves as a reminder of the transient nature of one's value in the professional sphere and the importance of continual self-improvement, adaptability, and understanding of organizational dynamics. Keep adding to your "flavour" through learning, innovating, and networking, and be ready to move when you or your environment no longer fosters your growth.