"When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife."
Every day, in every company, someone gets a new job. From the top job to the entry level roles, someone else entrusts some part of the business to someone new. What we all know, from experience in many cases, is that this entrusting can be nerve-wracking and downright frightening. But, just because we worry and are concerned doesn't mean that we shouldn't entrust and allow others to grow and develop. There are lots of studies on how we can grow people and companies, but one thing has always stood out to me is that the most successful people are those who were entrusted with some large responsibility before they were chronologically or experiential ready. If one survives the deep end of the pool and then thrives then there is confidence and learning that happens and gets multiplied within the person. Others around also rise to the occasion. We each have many occasions to allow people to reach for their full potential. If not held back, trusted, and supported they can do much and go far.
I can only stand back and marvel at what Joseph, the adopted Father of Jesus, must have felt when he learned he was being entrusted, By God, with the raising and support of Jesus. Not being a biological father, I marvel even more in Joseph's commitment to take on the responsibility of a child not his own flesh and blood and to do so in way that was far from expected. Joseph then went on to raise Jesus as if he was his own and I believe felt all the pains, joys, anxiety, concern, and hopefulness for his son, Jesus, as any other father would. We never know in life what we will be entrusted, but whatever it may be, big or small, we should only need to look to the willingness of Joseph to know what it means to be entrusted. Let's not forget what have already as we enter into this most high and special weekend.
Purposed worKING will be taking a holiday break until Tuesday January 3rd. Thank you for your support and readership and let me wish each and every one of you a very, very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Reference: Matthew 1:24 (New Living Testament)
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
day 796: Starting At The Bottom (redux)
I was talking to a college graduate from last year who just found a job. As he described the job to me, he was very humble and grateful that he had any job to begin with. He told me that the job he had taken required him to start at the bottom and work his way up. I explained to him that this was fine and that most of us, myself included, did just the same thing. Not enough stories are told about those who started in the mail room and ended up in the corner office. That's mainly because most of us don't stay in one company long enough to see that full ascension cycle occur. But even when we change jobs, we know that we need to start at the bottom and work our way up. That may mean that we need to start at the bottom of the organization and the root of the work and learn the business from the ground floor, all done before we can be truly effective in our new role. Those that come in from the outside and act as if they know and understand the business before they really do, don't last long. This is a challenge for all of us, to work as though we don't know everything and continue to return to the foundations of our business and to the people who do the real work and value their work and the relationships we can have with them.
Just a few days before Christmas we should be reminded that Jesus took the same approach. He came to the earth and started at the bottom of the bottom, as a baby, born in a manger in a stable and from there worked at his life like God desired to rise to be the King of Kings. We so often think that life and success should come easy and that we have "earned it already". Any time we start to fall into that attitude and we forget that life and success at work is really about what we do to work from the bottom up, then all we need to do is think about how our Lord started into this world and how He, without regret or disappointment, worked, learned and waited until it was time for God to bring about His purposes. As we enter into the last days before the New Year, let's not forget the example that Jesus provided for us and let us never forget from where we have come and how important it is to never lose sight of importance of starting at the bottom.
Reference: Luke Chapter 2 (New Living Testament)
Just a few days before Christmas we should be reminded that Jesus took the same approach. He came to the earth and started at the bottom of the bottom, as a baby, born in a manger in a stable and from there worked at his life like God desired to rise to be the King of Kings. We so often think that life and success should come easy and that we have "earned it already". Any time we start to fall into that attitude and we forget that life and success at work is really about what we do to work from the bottom up, then all we need to do is think about how our Lord started into this world and how He, without regret or disappointment, worked, learned and waited until it was time for God to bring about His purposes. As we enter into the last days before the New Year, let's not forget the example that Jesus provided for us and let us never forget from where we have come and how important it is to never lose sight of importance of starting at the bottom.
Reference: Luke Chapter 2 (New Living Testament)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
day 795: Immanuel (updated)
"...and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"
As we march into the closing days of 2011, many of us are taking some time, before 2012 shows up, to look back over our shoulders and assess the year. It has not been an easy last three years for anyone in the work world. Much has changed and we've had to change with it. If there was a time that has tested so many people in the workplace, it was long before most of were working or alive. Those that remember the Great Depression are the only ones who have seen this much sweeping change and uncertainty within such a short time frame. When there is this much turmoil, we are all affected and that impact shows up in us. I reflect on the people I know who along with their job struggles have had troubles also show up at home in their families, marriages and personal lives. Work is hard enough without the extra emotional charge of not knowing what tomorrow will bring. Many of us are winding it up this week and will try and take some vacation between the holidays and with that comes the extra stress of being away and trying to keep up. This is also something to be managed for if we aren't cognizant of this extra amount of pressure it can really start the holiday break off on the wrong foot. It's kind of like the movie "Home Alone" when the family is so caught up in the rush and the stress of the moment that they forget who they have left behind. It makes a classic movie, but it doesn't make good life story.
In these challenging times, we can be just like that family who left Kevin at home sleeping, except in all of the rush, stress, pressures and worry, we tend to leave instead, God behind and then when we feel too far away with no way of turning back, we scream out, "Where are you God?", when it was us, not Him, who left Him home in the first place. This is the week when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who took on another important name for all us to remember; "...and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" In these last few days before the Christmas break, don't forget that Immanuel is there with you. In His coming, he guarantees that He is with us at all times, never to be truly left behind, only diminished by us when we put ourselves ahead of Him. Can we close this week with us bringing God, Immanuel, back to work with us and make the commitment for next year to have Him with us every day!
Reference: Matthew 1:23 (New Living Testament)
As we march into the closing days of 2011, many of us are taking some time, before 2012 shows up, to look back over our shoulders and assess the year. It has not been an easy last three years for anyone in the work world. Much has changed and we've had to change with it. If there was a time that has tested so many people in the workplace, it was long before most of were working or alive. Those that remember the Great Depression are the only ones who have seen this much sweeping change and uncertainty within such a short time frame. When there is this much turmoil, we are all affected and that impact shows up in us. I reflect on the people I know who along with their job struggles have had troubles also show up at home in their families, marriages and personal lives. Work is hard enough without the extra emotional charge of not knowing what tomorrow will bring. Many of us are winding it up this week and will try and take some vacation between the holidays and with that comes the extra stress of being away and trying to keep up. This is also something to be managed for if we aren't cognizant of this extra amount of pressure it can really start the holiday break off on the wrong foot. It's kind of like the movie "Home Alone" when the family is so caught up in the rush and the stress of the moment that they forget who they have left behind. It makes a classic movie, but it doesn't make good life story.
In these challenging times, we can be just like that family who left Kevin at home sleeping, except in all of the rush, stress, pressures and worry, we tend to leave instead, God behind and then when we feel too far away with no way of turning back, we scream out, "Where are you God?", when it was us, not Him, who left Him home in the first place. This is the week when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who took on another important name for all us to remember; "...and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" In these last few days before the Christmas break, don't forget that Immanuel is there with you. In His coming, he guarantees that He is with us at all times, never to be truly left behind, only diminished by us when we put ourselves ahead of Him. Can we close this week with us bringing God, Immanuel, back to work with us and make the commitment for next year to have Him with us every day!
Reference: Matthew 1:23 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
day 794: Labor of Love
"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born."
"It was a labor of love", is a comment that we like to make when someone goes above and beyond for something where they didn't receive anything extra other than the satisfaction or joy that comes from doing something well and appreciated by others. The labor of love can also happen in the workplace even in the midst of personal agendas, competitive activities, and desires to progress over others. That is why when we observe an act that comes across as a labor of love it is even that much more obvious and recognized. It takes the best in all of us to go above and beyond in the workplace for something that likely will not come back to us tangibly. But, we should each strive for that level of giving of ourselves and our companies. This time of year we can read about those companies that go above and beyond to give back to their community and those less fortunate. With enough sacrifice and effort, we can even be convinced that a corporation can commit a labor of love.
In the life of Jesus there is one labor of love after another. God Himself creates and gives to us His only Son. Mary, literally goes through the labor of love to bring the baby Jesus into the world. And then, Jesus goes the full sacrifice for us. Why? Because, He was showing how great His love is for us. Now, we pass through this life with many opportunities to live and model what Christ gave us. We labor in this world, but do we labor for love enough? One size of actions does not fit all of us. We each have been given our own talents and put in our own situations to provide our own love labors. We have only a few days left before we leave to celebrate Christmas. We are getting ready to give gifts to each other and we can also give a gift back to the Lord by ensuring that we are laboring for Him this week. Let's find an opportunity to give of ourselves for Him so that others can witness God's love in action.
Reference: Luke 2:6 (New Living Testament)
"It was a labor of love", is a comment that we like to make when someone goes above and beyond for something where they didn't receive anything extra other than the satisfaction or joy that comes from doing something well and appreciated by others. The labor of love can also happen in the workplace even in the midst of personal agendas, competitive activities, and desires to progress over others. That is why when we observe an act that comes across as a labor of love it is even that much more obvious and recognized. It takes the best in all of us to go above and beyond in the workplace for something that likely will not come back to us tangibly. But, we should each strive for that level of giving of ourselves and our companies. This time of year we can read about those companies that go above and beyond to give back to their community and those less fortunate. With enough sacrifice and effort, we can even be convinced that a corporation can commit a labor of love.
In the life of Jesus there is one labor of love after another. God Himself creates and gives to us His only Son. Mary, literally goes through the labor of love to bring the baby Jesus into the world. And then, Jesus goes the full sacrifice for us. Why? Because, He was showing how great His love is for us. Now, we pass through this life with many opportunities to live and model what Christ gave us. We labor in this world, but do we labor for love enough? One size of actions does not fit all of us. We each have been given our own talents and put in our own situations to provide our own love labors. We have only a few days left before we leave to celebrate Christmas. We are getting ready to give gifts to each other and we can also give a gift back to the Lord by ensuring that we are laboring for Him this week. Let's find an opportunity to give of ourselves for Him so that others can witness God's love in action.
Reference: Luke 2:6 (New Living Testament)
Monday, December 19, 2011
day 793: Jimmy Durante
"They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness."
Yesterday as we were celebrating a "Super Sunday" in our 1st - 6th Grade Sunday School class, as the kids were coming into the class, we had the classic cartoon of Frosty the Snowman playing. I haven't sat and watched it all the way through in years. You might remember that it starts with the introduction of the narrator, that being Jimmy Durante. For fun, I asked around the room if anyone had ever heard of Jimmy Durante. Of course, none of the kids had. Likely, some of the younger teachers wouldn't have known who he is either. I also suspect that when Mr. Durante voiced that cartoon in 1969 he would never have guessed that kids in the future might not ever remember him, but they would know immediately the voice and character of the narrator from the cartoon. Here we are 42 years later and Mr. Durante's performance remains. Businesses can be the same. 40+ years later we probably won't remember any of the names of the senior members of a business, but the reputation can remain. We never know what we might do today that will stick...forever.
The smallest actions can be the ones that become our legacy. It can be very hard, if not impossible, for us to know at the time. We can only pray that what will have the greatest impact will be a positive action, word, or impact we have on another. We have a few days left in this year and as we think back on what would be the highlights and the legacy of this past year, are we feeling good about that? There is still time to clear up areas of disagreement or bad feelings. We want, as best we can, to start next year strong and with positive momentum. Our jobs are full of moments to pass along positive recognition or help another person around us. Whatever it is, consider that this week, the one that we exchange many positives is also a week to shore up our relationships. This could be the week that for someone around you, you will be setting a long-lasting memory of who you are to them.
Reference: Psalm 89:16 (New Living Testament)
Yesterday as we were celebrating a "Super Sunday" in our 1st - 6th Grade Sunday School class, as the kids were coming into the class, we had the classic cartoon of Frosty the Snowman playing. I haven't sat and watched it all the way through in years. You might remember that it starts with the introduction of the narrator, that being Jimmy Durante. For fun, I asked around the room if anyone had ever heard of Jimmy Durante. Of course, none of the kids had. Likely, some of the younger teachers wouldn't have known who he is either. I also suspect that when Mr. Durante voiced that cartoon in 1969 he would never have guessed that kids in the future might not ever remember him, but they would know immediately the voice and character of the narrator from the cartoon. Here we are 42 years later and Mr. Durante's performance remains. Businesses can be the same. 40+ years later we probably won't remember any of the names of the senior members of a business, but the reputation can remain. We never know what we might do today that will stick...forever.
The smallest actions can be the ones that become our legacy. It can be very hard, if not impossible, for us to know at the time. We can only pray that what will have the greatest impact will be a positive action, word, or impact we have on another. We have a few days left in this year and as we think back on what would be the highlights and the legacy of this past year, are we feeling good about that? There is still time to clear up areas of disagreement or bad feelings. We want, as best we can, to start next year strong and with positive momentum. Our jobs are full of moments to pass along positive recognition or help another person around us. Whatever it is, consider that this week, the one that we exchange many positives is also a week to shore up our relationships. This could be the week that for someone around you, you will be setting a long-lasting memory of who you are to them.
Reference: Psalm 89:16 (New Living Testament)
Friday, December 16, 2011
day 792: Kingdom In The Ordinary (redux)
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail."
You have heard me before speak of those who lament that they don't know if they are living their life to the fullest and doing a higher calling because they are not in the ministry but instead are in the marketplace. We already know that God did His work through ordinary people of the Bible and many of them were ordinary workers at some points in their lives. We also know that each of us are to search independently to find God's will in our own lives and then learn to adjust and obey what it is that He wants us to be doing. As we draw closer in our relationship to Jesus we will find what the will of God is for our lives. In the book Experiencing God, Blackaby says, "God reveals His ways to us because they are the only means to accomplish His purpose". I find that quote to be very inspiring because as I search for God's will knowing that the marketplace and business is what I am about and what I do, knowing that God will reveal His purposes to me and that He needs me to be doing what I do because in me (and all of us) this revelation of His ways is the only means to accomplish His purposes is both inspiring and comforting. That means that as we each seek our own purpose in our lives and work, that God is wanting to use His purposes to unveil our purpose, thereby making it one.
So, as we think of our work and what we do day-to-day for all of those hours we can hold fast in the promise that the purpose of God can be manifested through our work. This leaves us with that important lesson that if we are to accomplish our purposes that what we do is less important than how we do it. God gave his disciples ways to do their work and He taught them, as we teach those who work for us, how to get the job done. We can learn many lessons from these teachings with the an important one being that when Jesus spoke to His disciples and asked them to do the things He wanted them to do, more often than not they questioned and sometimes scoffed at how Jesus wanted the job done. No better example of this than when Jesus commanded the disciples to feed the multitudes. The disciples wanted to nix the effort but Jesus instead was specific on what they were to do, and when they did it, a miracle occurred. Could it be that God is asking you to go about your work differently than you have in the past and He wants you to be an example in your workplace of how someone can work differently when they work with God as the determiner of your purpose? Might it be that how you have gone about your work has not been the best demonstration of how God can be in someones life as they go about their ordinary day-to-day work? Remember, He wants to use each of us to reveal His purposes. All we have to do is be willing and obedient to let that happen. Can today be the day that we put aside the rest of the things that get in the way and we start anew?
Reference: Proverbs 19:21 (New Living Testament)
You have heard me before speak of those who lament that they don't know if they are living their life to the fullest and doing a higher calling because they are not in the ministry but instead are in the marketplace. We already know that God did His work through ordinary people of the Bible and many of them were ordinary workers at some points in their lives. We also know that each of us are to search independently to find God's will in our own lives and then learn to adjust and obey what it is that He wants us to be doing. As we draw closer in our relationship to Jesus we will find what the will of God is for our lives. In the book Experiencing God, Blackaby says, "God reveals His ways to us because they are the only means to accomplish His purpose". I find that quote to be very inspiring because as I search for God's will knowing that the marketplace and business is what I am about and what I do, knowing that God will reveal His purposes to me and that He needs me to be doing what I do because in me (and all of us) this revelation of His ways is the only means to accomplish His purposes is both inspiring and comforting. That means that as we each seek our own purpose in our lives and work, that God is wanting to use His purposes to unveil our purpose, thereby making it one.
So, as we think of our work and what we do day-to-day for all of those hours we can hold fast in the promise that the purpose of God can be manifested through our work. This leaves us with that important lesson that if we are to accomplish our purposes that what we do is less important than how we do it. God gave his disciples ways to do their work and He taught them, as we teach those who work for us, how to get the job done. We can learn many lessons from these teachings with the an important one being that when Jesus spoke to His disciples and asked them to do the things He wanted them to do, more often than not they questioned and sometimes scoffed at how Jesus wanted the job done. No better example of this than when Jesus commanded the disciples to feed the multitudes. The disciples wanted to nix the effort but Jesus instead was specific on what they were to do, and when they did it, a miracle occurred. Could it be that God is asking you to go about your work differently than you have in the past and He wants you to be an example in your workplace of how someone can work differently when they work with God as the determiner of your purpose? Might it be that how you have gone about your work has not been the best demonstration of how God can be in someones life as they go about their ordinary day-to-day work? Remember, He wants to use each of us to reveal His purposes. All we have to do is be willing and obedient to let that happen. Can today be the day that we put aside the rest of the things that get in the way and we start anew?
Reference: Proverbs 19:21 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, December 15, 2011
day 791: Side-By-Sides
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."
Train and airport clubs and terminals are the best place to hear about what is going on in business. I guess you might call it eavesdropping but I like to listen to the conversations around me. I was sitting in a train station in Baltimore this week waiting on the train into D.C. when I heard a woman, who it sounded like was talking to her boss, explaining the side-by-side proposal she had sent in. She was detailing the left hand side of the proposal as the worst case scenario and the right hand side as the best case scenario. I have no idea what kind of business she is in, but the proposal had to do with a sales prospect. After giving the overview of what she was thinking, she then went through both sides. I had to leave then to catch my train, but I was reminded about how many times we are asked to play both sides of an argument to make our point or to explain an approach. To do this well, we have to actually be able to put ourselves into the worst and the best cases and play them out as if they really were happening to us. That is not easy to do, and be realistic. But, we have to if we are going to be successful. It's something for us to think about as we prepare for anything in our work. We have to become adept at seeing all sides of the issues and to be able to complete thoroughly every side-by-side.
King Solomon tells us that we have our own side-by-side that we must always be cognizant. Those two sides are our attitude and our spirit. Let me cut to the chaste; when we are up, others around us are up; when we are down, others around us are down. It's that simple. The Christian life is not one of only mountain tops and happiness. But, it is a life of hope and optimism with the security of eternity. So, when we allow our spirit to be broken we are turning our back on what has been given to us. Imagine getting all of the support, financial backing, upward progression, and job security you could ever imagine. And then walking into your bosses office each day down, disgruntled, dissatisfied. For how long would she/he put up with it? Not for long my friend. Our Lord never kicks us out of the office, but does expect that we find a cheerful and positive heart. As we get closer to celebrating and receiving His most special gift to us, let's be sure that we do a side-by-side evaluation and be on the best side for Him.
Reference: Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)
Train and airport clubs and terminals are the best place to hear about what is going on in business. I guess you might call it eavesdropping but I like to listen to the conversations around me. I was sitting in a train station in Baltimore this week waiting on the train into D.C. when I heard a woman, who it sounded like was talking to her boss, explaining the side-by-side proposal she had sent in. She was detailing the left hand side of the proposal as the worst case scenario and the right hand side as the best case scenario. I have no idea what kind of business she is in, but the proposal had to do with a sales prospect. After giving the overview of what she was thinking, she then went through both sides. I had to leave then to catch my train, but I was reminded about how many times we are asked to play both sides of an argument to make our point or to explain an approach. To do this well, we have to actually be able to put ourselves into the worst and the best cases and play them out as if they really were happening to us. That is not easy to do, and be realistic. But, we have to if we are going to be successful. It's something for us to think about as we prepare for anything in our work. We have to become adept at seeing all sides of the issues and to be able to complete thoroughly every side-by-side.
King Solomon tells us that we have our own side-by-side that we must always be cognizant. Those two sides are our attitude and our spirit. Let me cut to the chaste; when we are up, others around us are up; when we are down, others around us are down. It's that simple. The Christian life is not one of only mountain tops and happiness. But, it is a life of hope and optimism with the security of eternity. So, when we allow our spirit to be broken we are turning our back on what has been given to us. Imagine getting all of the support, financial backing, upward progression, and job security you could ever imagine. And then walking into your bosses office each day down, disgruntled, dissatisfied. For how long would she/he put up with it? Not for long my friend. Our Lord never kicks us out of the office, but does expect that we find a cheerful and positive heart. As we get closer to celebrating and receiving His most special gift to us, let's be sure that we do a side-by-side evaluation and be on the best side for Him.
Reference: Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
day 790: Season For Giving (redux)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
This is the season for giving. We are gearing up at the office for the Holiday party, looking forward to time off from work to spend with family and friends, and we have to get that shopping done in the midst of everyone trying to get all of the work done before the end of the year. It becomes a very busy time and while it shouldn't be, it becomes a time of stress both at work and home. When the stress sets in, the worst comes out. In these times when everything is focused on getting everything done before the big day or the end of the year, we undoubtedly will be let down by others, not get everything we need from others, and them not get all from us that they need. There will be criticism for not working fast enough and challenges that will test our patience. The question is whether or not we will rise above the stress and the pressure or allow the stress to get to us?
Remember, this is the season for giving and with the play on the words, the season for forgiving. If we can enter the time with both of these attitudes at the forefront of our minds and hearts then we can come through this year with our heads held high and our example and role modeling that we desire held intact. As we think about this through the season and if we need any example how to give and forgive in this time we need only look at the greatest verse of all in the Bible. In John 3:16 we read; "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." In that one verse we receive the greatest gift of all, and only to be forgiven when we receive Him. Yes, this is the season of giving and the season of forgiving. Can we embrace this season with our hearts and minds set firmly both in giving ourselves to others and forgiving those around us? To get the most from this time of year and to truly celebrate the coming our King, we must be able to give and forgive.
Reference: John 3:16 (New Living Testament)
This is the season for giving. We are gearing up at the office for the Holiday party, looking forward to time off from work to spend with family and friends, and we have to get that shopping done in the midst of everyone trying to get all of the work done before the end of the year. It becomes a very busy time and while it shouldn't be, it becomes a time of stress both at work and home. When the stress sets in, the worst comes out. In these times when everything is focused on getting everything done before the big day or the end of the year, we undoubtedly will be let down by others, not get everything we need from others, and them not get all from us that they need. There will be criticism for not working fast enough and challenges that will test our patience. The question is whether or not we will rise above the stress and the pressure or allow the stress to get to us?
Remember, this is the season for giving and with the play on the words, the season for forgiving. If we can enter the time with both of these attitudes at the forefront of our minds and hearts then we can come through this year with our heads held high and our example and role modeling that we desire held intact. As we think about this through the season and if we need any example how to give and forgive in this time we need only look at the greatest verse of all in the Bible. In John 3:16 we read; "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." In that one verse we receive the greatest gift of all, and only to be forgiven when we receive Him. Yes, this is the season of giving and the season of forgiving. Can we embrace this season with our hearts and minds set firmly both in giving ourselves to others and forgiving those around us? To get the most from this time of year and to truly celebrate the coming our King, we must be able to give and forgive.
Reference: John 3:16 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
day 789: Times To Be Loud (redux)
"... But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil."
The Bible is clear with us that to be silent in many cases is the best course of action. But we also read that there are also times for being loud. Work is that way too. There are many times when the best thing we can do is to keep our mouth shut and let others do all of the talking. By keeping quiet, we don't get dragged into the muck or have ourselves lowered to levels that would compromise our values and principles. We have all been in the situations where the emotions are running high and someone says something that he/she regrets. Even after the apology, the problem is that people are slow to forget at work so stories are told and remembered and then passed along. If there is one place that is hard to put a reputation back in the bottle, it is at work. So, we have to be even that much more cognizant and controlled at work.
But there are also times to be loud. These are the times when we have to stand up for what is right and in the areas that compromise our values and principles. I feel for the people who have told me that they are sitting in jobs today because they are afraid or worried about getting up and moving somewhere else. They are staying in the jobs they have today even though where they work has become someplace that they no longer can trust or believe in the mission and how people are treated. God wants us to have courage to make the moves and get loud when we have to do so. This coming week we likely all hear or sing the song Silent Night. It is a beautiful song and lyrics that give us the peaceful moment when Jesus was born. But even then, Jesus knew that He was going to have to put that silent night and moment behind Him. We read in 1 John 3:8 this account of why Jesus came to the earth; "... But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil." Jesus knew that He was coming to fulfill not only the purpose of building up His Kingdom, but also to tear down the works of the devil. Tearing down and destroying means getting loud about some things! Part of our following of Jesus is to be sure that we are also doing our part to destroy the works of the devil. We do that by not taking the devil's side but by getting loud about what is right and living that life fully, courageously, boldly and unabashedly. As we finish this year, let's all feel good about getting loud about it!
Reference: 1 John 3:8
The Bible is clear with us that to be silent in many cases is the best course of action. But we also read that there are also times for being loud. Work is that way too. There are many times when the best thing we can do is to keep our mouth shut and let others do all of the talking. By keeping quiet, we don't get dragged into the muck or have ourselves lowered to levels that would compromise our values and principles. We have all been in the situations where the emotions are running high and someone says something that he/she regrets. Even after the apology, the problem is that people are slow to forget at work so stories are told and remembered and then passed along. If there is one place that is hard to put a reputation back in the bottle, it is at work. So, we have to be even that much more cognizant and controlled at work.
But there are also times to be loud. These are the times when we have to stand up for what is right and in the areas that compromise our values and principles. I feel for the people who have told me that they are sitting in jobs today because they are afraid or worried about getting up and moving somewhere else. They are staying in the jobs they have today even though where they work has become someplace that they no longer can trust or believe in the mission and how people are treated. God wants us to have courage to make the moves and get loud when we have to do so. This coming week we likely all hear or sing the song Silent Night. It is a beautiful song and lyrics that give us the peaceful moment when Jesus was born. But even then, Jesus knew that He was going to have to put that silent night and moment behind Him. We read in 1 John 3:8 this account of why Jesus came to the earth; "... But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil." Jesus knew that He was coming to fulfill not only the purpose of building up His Kingdom, but also to tear down the works of the devil. Tearing down and destroying means getting loud about some things! Part of our following of Jesus is to be sure that we are also doing our part to destroy the works of the devil. We do that by not taking the devil's side but by getting loud about what is right and living that life fully, courageously, boldly and unabashedly. As we finish this year, let's all feel good about getting loud about it!
Reference: 1 John 3:8
Monday, December 12, 2011
day 788: Big - Small - Big
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Friends of ours just moved to Barcelona. They were in a bookstore in southern Spain and as they walked into the store they saw an architectural book with a picture of their lake house in Canada on the front cover. My first reaction, "What a small world". And then I thought, "What a big world". And then I concluded, "What a small world." How I got to these convoluted conclusions is this. It's a big world that a picture taken in the hinterlands of Canada ends up on the cover of an architecture book that gets global distribution. It's a small world that our friends see this book in a bookstore in Spain. But, it begins to be a big world again that I would know about their sighting. If this was ten years ago, I would have never known. But today, I know because of Facebook. Their story showed up in my newsfeed and they made the world big again. And, now you are reading about it as well. The small world just got bigger. This is the world we live in now. Any business that doesn't recognize and make the most of the big, small, big cycle of social media misses out.
When we were given the Great Commission to go out and spread God's Word and love, we were to do this in the best way we could. Today, we each can make the big world small and then big again by how we share our faith in all aspects of our lives. Facebook and other social media are not going to go away. Our presences and the lives that we live and who we are is as important online as it is off. Let's be sure that we are living the same lives online as off and not missing the opportunity to share our faith and who we are there too.
Reference: Psalm 19:14
Friends of ours just moved to Barcelona. They were in a bookstore in southern Spain and as they walked into the store they saw an architectural book with a picture of their lake house in Canada on the front cover. My first reaction, "What a small world". And then I thought, "What a big world". And then I concluded, "What a small world." How I got to these convoluted conclusions is this. It's a big world that a picture taken in the hinterlands of Canada ends up on the cover of an architecture book that gets global distribution. It's a small world that our friends see this book in a bookstore in Spain. But, it begins to be a big world again that I would know about their sighting. If this was ten years ago, I would have never known. But today, I know because of Facebook. Their story showed up in my newsfeed and they made the world big again. And, now you are reading about it as well. The small world just got bigger. This is the world we live in now. Any business that doesn't recognize and make the most of the big, small, big cycle of social media misses out.
When we were given the Great Commission to go out and spread God's Word and love, we were to do this in the best way we could. Today, we each can make the big world small and then big again by how we share our faith in all aspects of our lives. Facebook and other social media are not going to go away. Our presences and the lives that we live and who we are is as important online as it is off. Let's be sure that we are living the same lives online as off and not missing the opportunity to share our faith and who we are there too.
Reference: Psalm 19:14
Friday, December 9, 2011
day 787: Work Words, part 2 - Replacement Words (redux)
"Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them"
Yesterday we learned the simple truth that God does not want us using foul or abusive language in life or at work. A simple lesson for sure but not an easy one to follow and practice. It just seems like adding that certain word for emphasis or explanation helps make the point. But, when we take this path we are making both emotional and intellectual choices that have consequences. I think in most cases we are also taking the lazy path intellectually when we allow ourselves to use this language. The other day I overheard a conversation with two people where the description of one person by the other, to his face (which was representative of an anatomical part), expressed the point clearly but also created a heightened animosity and anger in the person who was being talked at and could have easily, if not for the control of the receiving person, come to blows. As I reflected on that conversation, the person delivering the message may have felt more powerful but in reality, this very intellectual person had lowered himself to a base level and chosen the laziest of words to express his point of view and left the conversation in a worse place than it was before, all because of the words chosen.
If we are not to use foul or abusive language, what words are we then to choose to replace these words? Ephesians 4:29 concludes with; "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them". We are to take the higher ground. We are to work harder intellectually and emotionally to find the place and the words that can still bring across the point but leave the other person or parties in a better emotional state. As I think back on the confrontation I witnessed, there was another way to have made the point. It would have taken the person who was expressing the point of view to have found another emotional footing to stand on, and then to have intellectually have thought through how it would be that he could build up the other person and still ensure that the lesson was given. It could have been done and knowing the situation, good could have come from what was initially bad and unfortunately after this conversation got worse. God wants us to use the faith that we have in Him, the power that He has put inside of us, and the love that He modeled, to be different than the rest of the world. That can start today, at work, with you and the words that you choose. Today would be a good day to start thinking and using the replacement words that He can give you. You and all others around you will be better for it.
Reference: Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Testament)
Yesterday we learned the simple truth that God does not want us using foul or abusive language in life or at work. A simple lesson for sure but not an easy one to follow and practice. It just seems like adding that certain word for emphasis or explanation helps make the point. But, when we take this path we are making both emotional and intellectual choices that have consequences. I think in most cases we are also taking the lazy path intellectually when we allow ourselves to use this language. The other day I overheard a conversation with two people where the description of one person by the other, to his face (which was representative of an anatomical part), expressed the point clearly but also created a heightened animosity and anger in the person who was being talked at and could have easily, if not for the control of the receiving person, come to blows. As I reflected on that conversation, the person delivering the message may have felt more powerful but in reality, this very intellectual person had lowered himself to a base level and chosen the laziest of words to express his point of view and left the conversation in a worse place than it was before, all because of the words chosen.
If we are not to use foul or abusive language, what words are we then to choose to replace these words? Ephesians 4:29 concludes with; "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them". We are to take the higher ground. We are to work harder intellectually and emotionally to find the place and the words that can still bring across the point but leave the other person or parties in a better emotional state. As I think back on the confrontation I witnessed, there was another way to have made the point. It would have taken the person who was expressing the point of view to have found another emotional footing to stand on, and then to have intellectually have thought through how it would be that he could build up the other person and still ensure that the lesson was given. It could have been done and knowing the situation, good could have come from what was initially bad and unfortunately after this conversation got worse. God wants us to use the faith that we have in Him, the power that He has put inside of us, and the love that He modeled, to be different than the rest of the world. That can start today, at work, with you and the words that you choose. Today would be a good day to start thinking and using the replacement words that He can give you. You and all others around you will be better for it.
Reference: Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
day 786: Work Words, Part 1: No Nos (redux)
"Don't use foul or abusive language."
This is pretty straightforward. Let's choose more carefully the words we use at work. We all know the statement, "he curses like a sailor". How does one become a sailor? A sailor becomes a sailor because he/she applies for a sailor job or joins the Navy to take the job of a sailor. So, the cursing of the sailor is referencing the cursing that occurs on the job. Yes, work for some reason is an easy place for the words of a sailor to become common language. I have been there and I have gone through stages in my career where I might as well have quit my job and joined the Navy. If we are trying to infuse our purpose into our work and we are trying to be the examples of how one is to supposed to live in a larger context then the words we choose to use at work need to be consistent with the life we are wanting to live.
Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 4:29; "Don't use foul or abusive language." Clear enough? There is lots to learn and study on self-control and the taming of our tongues and how for some this takes God really helping out. But wherever you are and however hard or easy it is for you to control your language, it is an important lesson to remember. We are to live our lives in the example of the One who gave us His example to follow. And when the moment comes where the expletive is the most cultural, hippest and for some reason the most powerful word we can think of, then we need to think again and bite that tongue before we let the words roll out. Once out they can't be rolled back in. Today, say a prayer before heading to work that God will give you different words today to replace those that come most easily. Ask Him to give you new work words and to send the words of the sailors out to sea.
Tomorrow, words to use as replacements.
Reference: Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Testament)
This is pretty straightforward. Let's choose more carefully the words we use at work. We all know the statement, "he curses like a sailor". How does one become a sailor? A sailor becomes a sailor because he/she applies for a sailor job or joins the Navy to take the job of a sailor. So, the cursing of the sailor is referencing the cursing that occurs on the job. Yes, work for some reason is an easy place for the words of a sailor to become common language. I have been there and I have gone through stages in my career where I might as well have quit my job and joined the Navy. If we are trying to infuse our purpose into our work and we are trying to be the examples of how one is to supposed to live in a larger context then the words we choose to use at work need to be consistent with the life we are wanting to live.
Paul makes it clear in Ephesians 4:29; "Don't use foul or abusive language." Clear enough? There is lots to learn and study on self-control and the taming of our tongues and how for some this takes God really helping out. But wherever you are and however hard or easy it is for you to control your language, it is an important lesson to remember. We are to live our lives in the example of the One who gave us His example to follow. And when the moment comes where the expletive is the most cultural, hippest and for some reason the most powerful word we can think of, then we need to think again and bite that tongue before we let the words roll out. Once out they can't be rolled back in. Today, say a prayer before heading to work that God will give you different words today to replace those that come most easily. Ask Him to give you new work words and to send the words of the sailors out to sea.
Tomorrow, words to use as replacements.
Reference: Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Testament)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
day 785: The Season Of Giving - redux
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
This is the season for giving. We are gearing up at the office for the Holiday party, looking forward to time off from work to spend with family and friends, and we have to get that shopping done in the midst of everyone trying to get all of the work done before the end of the year. It becomes a very busy time and while it shouldn't be, it becomes a time of stress both at work and home. When the stress sets in, the worst comes out. In these times when everything is focused on getting everything done before the big day or the end of the year, we undoubtedly will be let down by others, not get everything we need from others, and them not get all from us that they need. There will be criticism for not working fast enough and challenges that will test our patience. The question is whether or not we will rise above the stress and the pressure or allow the stress to get to us? Remember, this is the season for giving and with the play on the words, the season for forgiving. If we can enter the time with both of these attitudes at the forefront of our minds and hearts then we can come through this year with our heads held high and our example and role modeling that we desire held intact.
As we think about this through the season and if we need any example how to give and forgive in this time we need only look at the greatest verse of all in the Bible. In John 3:16 we read; "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." In that one verse we receive the greatest gift of all, and only to be forgiven when we receive Him. Yes, this is the season of giving and the season of forgiving. Can we embrace this season with our hearts and minds set firmly both in giving ourselves to others and forgiving those around us? To get the most from this time of year and to truly celebrate the coming our King, we must be able to give and forgive.
Reference: John 3:16 (New Living Testament)
This is the season for giving. We are gearing up at the office for the Holiday party, looking forward to time off from work to spend with family and friends, and we have to get that shopping done in the midst of everyone trying to get all of the work done before the end of the year. It becomes a very busy time and while it shouldn't be, it becomes a time of stress both at work and home. When the stress sets in, the worst comes out. In these times when everything is focused on getting everything done before the big day or the end of the year, we undoubtedly will be let down by others, not get everything we need from others, and them not get all from us that they need. There will be criticism for not working fast enough and challenges that will test our patience. The question is whether or not we will rise above the stress and the pressure or allow the stress to get to us? Remember, this is the season for giving and with the play on the words, the season for forgiving. If we can enter the time with both of these attitudes at the forefront of our minds and hearts then we can come through this year with our heads held high and our example and role modeling that we desire held intact.
As we think about this through the season and if we need any example how to give and forgive in this time we need only look at the greatest verse of all in the Bible. In John 3:16 we read; "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." In that one verse we receive the greatest gift of all, and only to be forgiven when we receive Him. Yes, this is the season of giving and the season of forgiving. Can we embrace this season with our hearts and minds set firmly both in giving ourselves to others and forgiving those around us? To get the most from this time of year and to truly celebrate the coming our King, we must be able to give and forgive.
Reference: John 3:16 (New Living Testament)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
day 785: Influencing
"Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."
Yesterday, we read on how we can be influenced. Today's let's spend a few moments on the importance of influencing.
Big companies, big brands, big marketing and advertising budgets, big product launches. We are used to all of these being influencers in our culture and business lives. The bigger and bolder it is the more it gets noticed and if it really means anything then it sticks around and influences our lives and culture. Think about the influence that companies like Apple and Google have had on our everyday lives. And don't forget the Procter & Gambles or the Wal-Marts of the world. They are just as influential, but in a different way. Influence can come in many forms and if a company has it, they not only succeed but they tend to get a wind at their back. It's an important factor to think about when we discuss success criteria of our businesses. Are we influencing the market? Are we influencing the competition? Are we influencing our partners, customers, and ultimately our consumers? If we don't have influence, we don't have clout and it's hard to find momentum.
We are given the task and opportunity to be influencers for the Kingdom each and every day. Throughout this day each of us will have more opportunities to influence in a positive way than we can count. Each word, each inflection, each action are points of influence that we can either manage and make productive for the Kingdom or miss. It's not that we have to be in the face of other people about our faith. It's as much about are we modeling the life that Christ asks us to live for Him? Today, check your words. Check your actions. Check the attitude that others can see and feel coming from you. Are you being a positive influence on others in the office? Whether you know it or not, you are an influencer.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Yesterday, we read on how we can be influenced. Today's let's spend a few moments on the importance of influencing.
Big companies, big brands, big marketing and advertising budgets, big product launches. We are used to all of these being influencers in our culture and business lives. The bigger and bolder it is the more it gets noticed and if it really means anything then it sticks around and influences our lives and culture. Think about the influence that companies like Apple and Google have had on our everyday lives. And don't forget the Procter & Gambles or the Wal-Marts of the world. They are just as influential, but in a different way. Influence can come in many forms and if a company has it, they not only succeed but they tend to get a wind at their back. It's an important factor to think about when we discuss success criteria of our businesses. Are we influencing the market? Are we influencing the competition? Are we influencing our partners, customers, and ultimately our consumers? If we don't have influence, we don't have clout and it's hard to find momentum.
We are given the task and opportunity to be influencers for the Kingdom each and every day. Throughout this day each of us will have more opportunities to influence in a positive way than we can count. Each word, each inflection, each action are points of influence that we can either manage and make productive for the Kingdom or miss. It's not that we have to be in the face of other people about our faith. It's as much about are we modeling the life that Christ asks us to live for Him? Today, check your words. Check your actions. Check the attitude that others can see and feel coming from you. Are you being a positive influence on others in the office? Whether you know it or not, you are an influencer.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Monday, December 5, 2011
day 784: Influenced
"Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God."
Within our work places they are all kinds of people who we could call influencing. The boss of course, those who work at the top of the organization, the Board, etc. But there are far more influential people within companies than those who have official titles. We know who they are if we will only stop and think about it for a moment. These are the people who for either positive, or not so positive reasons, people listen to and watch for the cues as to what they are up to or not. A study was done a few years ago about who were the influencing kids in a school and fashion was the barometer. The researcher kept asking kids why they wore the shoes they did and each time the answer would be because someone else did. The researcher kept following the names of the ones who were influencing until they got to the kid who said, I wear them because I think they are cool to wear. He was an influential. Why? It's an intangible sometimes that is hard to pin down, but what's important is that we know who the influencers are so that we can utilize them to help establish, move, and spread messages. Keeping our eyes open to know who these people are can make a difference in how we manage our businesses.
As there are those who are influential, we can also find ourselves being influenced. Why is it so easy to fall into the trap of following a bad example? Hard to know really, but going all the way back to high school it seemed like the "bad" influences attracted the "good". Look no further than the movie Grease. The same happens around us everyday at the office. There will be those who are more political and undercutting. There are those who do the back channel talking. There are those who cut the corners and try and trim off the work. Lots of bad influences around us all day. The Bible tells us to watch for the examples around us so that we are not pulled down into their ways. We must stay above it and away from it as best we can. For when we are being influenced, we are influencing others. Think about that today. More to come on this tomorrow.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Within our work places they are all kinds of people who we could call influencing. The boss of course, those who work at the top of the organization, the Board, etc. But there are far more influential people within companies than those who have official titles. We know who they are if we will only stop and think about it for a moment. These are the people who for either positive, or not so positive reasons, people listen to and watch for the cues as to what they are up to or not. A study was done a few years ago about who were the influencing kids in a school and fashion was the barometer. The researcher kept asking kids why they wore the shoes they did and each time the answer would be because someone else did. The researcher kept following the names of the ones who were influencing until they got to the kid who said, I wear them because I think they are cool to wear. He was an influential. Why? It's an intangible sometimes that is hard to pin down, but what's important is that we know who the influencers are so that we can utilize them to help establish, move, and spread messages. Keeping our eyes open to know who these people are can make a difference in how we manage our businesses.
As there are those who are influential, we can also find ourselves being influenced. Why is it so easy to fall into the trap of following a bad example? Hard to know really, but going all the way back to high school it seemed like the "bad" influences attracted the "good". Look no further than the movie Grease. The same happens around us everyday at the office. There will be those who are more political and undercutting. There are those who do the back channel talking. There are those who cut the corners and try and trim off the work. Lots of bad influences around us all day. The Bible tells us to watch for the examples around us so that we are not pulled down into their ways. We must stay above it and away from it as best we can. For when we are being influenced, we are influencing others. Think about that today. More to come on this tomorrow.
Reference: 3 John 1:11 (New Living Testament)
Friday, December 2, 2011
day 783: Quitting
"Watch out, so that you do not lose the prize for which we have been working so hard. Be diligent so that you will receive your full reward."
I once heard that quitting was a permanent resolution to a temporary problem. I spend time with many executives who at different times and for different reasons consider quitting. We all do, right? There isn't any decision that we make that we won't at some point second guess or at least scratch our heads and wonder if we are on the right course or not? But, the decision to quit is a different decision. Quitting means that we are going to abandon the hard work, the money invested, and turn back on what we once said was important to achieve. We read about these decisions every day in the business sections of the news. Shedding a division, a product line, a competitive market, etc. are decisions that means that someone decided it was time to throw in the towel and go another direction. Quitting is not always the wrong decision, but as we enter into strategic directions, partnerships, hiring, and financial commitments, we have to be sure we have thought through each step as much as we can so that we don't start and then stop. I advise that we should always ask ourselves the question as to whether or not this is one of those things that would be better to never start than to start and stop. It's a good litmus test to be sure that starting and stopping doesn't do more damage than it should.
Our spiritual journey is one where each and every day we are faced with those things in our life that want to tempt and sway us from keeping our eyes on the prize. The promise that we are given is that if we don't quit, and we stay diligent that there is a "full reward" to be gained. We know as believers that the full reward is to live eternally in the presence of our Lord. In God's eyes, if we give up and quit, He hopes it to only be temporary as He takes us back each and every time. If we remain sincere in our journey, with our eyes on the prize of Him the rewards are beyond what we can fathom. I would also add that by not being a quitter that we are setting a model and living out the example of Jesus. As we know, He could have quit any time He wanted, but He didn't. When we persevere, and when we follow through, and when we stay focused, and when we don't look back, and when we progress with enthusiasm and hopefulness, others will see that something special in each of us. One never knows what and when that moment will come to explain to others why.
Reference: 2 John 1:8 (New Living Testament)
I once heard that quitting was a permanent resolution to a temporary problem. I spend time with many executives who at different times and for different reasons consider quitting. We all do, right? There isn't any decision that we make that we won't at some point second guess or at least scratch our heads and wonder if we are on the right course or not? But, the decision to quit is a different decision. Quitting means that we are going to abandon the hard work, the money invested, and turn back on what we once said was important to achieve. We read about these decisions every day in the business sections of the news. Shedding a division, a product line, a competitive market, etc. are decisions that means that someone decided it was time to throw in the towel and go another direction. Quitting is not always the wrong decision, but as we enter into strategic directions, partnerships, hiring, and financial commitments, we have to be sure we have thought through each step as much as we can so that we don't start and then stop. I advise that we should always ask ourselves the question as to whether or not this is one of those things that would be better to never start than to start and stop. It's a good litmus test to be sure that starting and stopping doesn't do more damage than it should.
Our spiritual journey is one where each and every day we are faced with those things in our life that want to tempt and sway us from keeping our eyes on the prize. The promise that we are given is that if we don't quit, and we stay diligent that there is a "full reward" to be gained. We know as believers that the full reward is to live eternally in the presence of our Lord. In God's eyes, if we give up and quit, He hopes it to only be temporary as He takes us back each and every time. If we remain sincere in our journey, with our eyes on the prize of Him the rewards are beyond what we can fathom. I would also add that by not being a quitter that we are setting a model and living out the example of Jesus. As we know, He could have quit any time He wanted, but He didn't. When we persevere, and when we follow through, and when we stay focused, and when we don't look back, and when we progress with enthusiasm and hopefulness, others will see that something special in each of us. One never knows what and when that moment will come to explain to others why.
Reference: 2 John 1:8 (New Living Testament)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
day 782: Who You Gonna Call?
For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. and the ones who who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Anyone who has ever run or led a customer call center knows how it important it is to teach the customer service representatives how to handle a conflict that escalates. Any of us who have ever spoken to a customer service rep also knows how important this can be to the impression and the experience of that company. Being a good customer service person is both skill and art. Being able to listen to hear the level of frustration of the caller and then diffuse that in a way that feels productive and helpful is the art. The skill comes in how to handle the difficult problems that escalate and seem to be going out of control. Knowing when to call on the supervisor, before the customer calls on them is also key. But, every call center needs to have a protocol for how and when to delegate up the problem. I once was exposed to a company whose employee complaint levels were going through the roof and their morale into the basement. When diagnosed it was all about the decision by the corporate HQ to not allow the call centers to push a problem into the HQ staff, no matter how bad the situation became. The senior execs thought they were doing good by allowing for problems to be resolved locally. The call centers felt abandoned and that HQ didn't care. We all need someplace and someone to call when we have reached the end of our rope. Our customers, consumers, vendors, partners, shareholders and employees all need it. And, yes, for some of those the CEO and/or the Board needs to show up. It's worth thinking about where and how far can those who have complaints about your company or organization go? Who are they gonna call?
In 1 John we are told, as believers, where the buck stops. What is so amazing about our God is that it's a one stop hotline to the resolutions of our problems, worries, fears, and concerns. All we have to do is believe and then have the faith to allow God to do His work. Sounds so simple doesn't it? It is the perfect and most elegant of all support systems. Thinking through the current problems on our plate, big or small, which ones are we still hanging onto thinking that we can solve them ourselves or have put them in the hands of another person thinking they can solve them for us? If they are there, then why haven't we sent them up God too? There is no complaint or or problem too big or too small that He doesn't want to resolve for us. He never cuts us off from His "HQ". And when we ask, "Who you gonna call?", He is right there with us ready for that call. So, today, who are you gonna call?
Reference: 1 John 5: 4-5 (New Living Testament)
Anyone who has ever run or led a customer call center knows how it important it is to teach the customer service representatives how to handle a conflict that escalates. Any of us who have ever spoken to a customer service rep also knows how important this can be to the impression and the experience of that company. Being a good customer service person is both skill and art. Being able to listen to hear the level of frustration of the caller and then diffuse that in a way that feels productive and helpful is the art. The skill comes in how to handle the difficult problems that escalate and seem to be going out of control. Knowing when to call on the supervisor, before the customer calls on them is also key. But, every call center needs to have a protocol for how and when to delegate up the problem. I once was exposed to a company whose employee complaint levels were going through the roof and their morale into the basement. When diagnosed it was all about the decision by the corporate HQ to not allow the call centers to push a problem into the HQ staff, no matter how bad the situation became. The senior execs thought they were doing good by allowing for problems to be resolved locally. The call centers felt abandoned and that HQ didn't care. We all need someplace and someone to call when we have reached the end of our rope. Our customers, consumers, vendors, partners, shareholders and employees all need it. And, yes, for some of those the CEO and/or the Board needs to show up. It's worth thinking about where and how far can those who have complaints about your company or organization go? Who are they gonna call?
In 1 John we are told, as believers, where the buck stops. What is so amazing about our God is that it's a one stop hotline to the resolutions of our problems, worries, fears, and concerns. All we have to do is believe and then have the faith to allow God to do His work. Sounds so simple doesn't it? It is the perfect and most elegant of all support systems. Thinking through the current problems on our plate, big or small, which ones are we still hanging onto thinking that we can solve them ourselves or have put them in the hands of another person thinking they can solve them for us? If they are there, then why haven't we sent them up God too? There is no complaint or or problem too big or too small that He doesn't want to resolve for us. He never cuts us off from His "HQ". And when we ask, "Who you gonna call?", He is right there with us ready for that call. So, today, who are you gonna call?
Reference: 1 John 5: 4-5 (New Living Testament)
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