Developing Good Working Relationships – 5

The Christian Working Woman

What parent hasn’t said to a small child, “Now, play well with your friends.” We try to motivate them to play with consideration, not to be selfish, to share their toys—to “play nice” as we say. Well, don’t you think we need to “work nice” with our fellow workers? Here’s one last suggestion for working well at work: Help others to find their greatness, to develop and use their talents and skills. This applies not only to those in management, but all of us can look for ways to help others grow in their job and become better at what they do. For example, if you are particularly skilled in some software program, and you recognize a coworker who is technically gifted, you could offer to coach them in that area. Not only would that benefit the new employee, but the growth of individual employees benefits the whole. The organization would be immeasurably better if we all simply helped others find their greatness, realize their potential. I think we would be shocked if we knew how much time, productivity and success is lost simply because we don’t share with each other. I remember reading an article about the terrible Columbia Space Shuttle disaster in 2003. They have determined that some of the technical issues that caused the disaster were a result of lack of proper communication between different specialties, an unwillingness to share knowledge and research. If that is true, it makes the tragedy so much worse, doesn’t it? Jesus gave us the greatest example of equipping others to succeed. He began with twelve unqualified men, he taught them, he role-modeled for them, and then after his resurrection, he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell them and empower them so that they could be all he intended them to be. He equipped them—and he still equips us today. If you’re born from above, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you, and he gives you the power to work well with others, to love others, to be a true friend and a peacemaker even on your job. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)