I took flights out of two different airports last week. Neither of the security screening areas had any seating for people to use while putting their shoes back on. So every single person (including the elderly man holding a cane while I was there) has to re-shoe while standing precariously on one foot like the awkward version of a flamingo. I know from experience that this scenario has been true at one of those airports since 2001.

The TSA staff at both airports seem like nice, professional, and reasonably intelligent people. Why doesn’t one of them logically take in this scenario and say, “I have an idea—we need to put some benches out there for people to sit down.” Maybe there’s a restriction preventing it, but I’m guessing it’s just an example of the “It’s not my job” syndrome.

Whether you’re working in a counseling office, on a team, in a club, or with an organization, there are plenty of things that won’t technically be in your job description. But you’ll become invaluable a lot faster if you make it your job and act like you own the place.

Bonus tip: If you’ve got Girl Scouts in your family who are selling cookies (they’re out in force these days in my town), here’s a great tip from a past Seth Godin post.