day 1354: Criss-Crossing The Org Chart

 "There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord."

Every organization has a structure to it that breaks down into functions and to some smaller groups of teams. These could be departments, work pods, etc. Most organizations are organized around functional expertise so we have finance, marketing, R&D, sales, operations, HR, etc., all reporting up to a senior team who brings it all together. The challenge is in how to work across the organization so that we don't get lost in our functional departments and don't get a chance to see the bigger picture. The key to this is to criss-cross the organization lines and build relationships with people in other areas and ask what they do, how they do it and how they fit into the broader mission and goals of the organization. This also requires that we know, understand and can process the mission of the company into what is done by people all over the organization. Sometimes this is not easy to understand but if we search hard enough we can find it and then apply it to what we know and to what we feel we need to know to be better at our jobs. If we do this, we will be better in our jobs as we have context and meaning for what we do.

The same thing is happening in how we work to bring glory to God and make that our purpose. This starts with staying focused on what we know to be what God wants us to do and then to fall into His service with our talents, skills and experiences. In 1 Corinthians 12:5 Paul says; "There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord." Just like we work in different functions and departments but all roll up in what we do for the mission of the company, we all can serve God in our own ways, and different ways, all rolling up in His service and calling. Today, check yourself and your work to see if you are rolling up what you do and who you are to what God wants you to do to serve Him best.

Reference; 1 Corinthians 12:5 (New Living Testament)

day 473: Organization Charts

Organization charts are funny things. We all need them, but we usually only need them when we are trying to figure out something that we should already know, like who works where and for whom. I personally wish we didn't need to have them as organization charts always signify that someone else is higher in the organization than another person and unless you are the lone box at the top, then it can be a negative reminder versus a positive one. That said, nearly every company has one and whether it is shared broadly or not, it is being used to make decisions, assignments and also to evaluate the scope and range of people's ability to manage and lead. So, it is a useful tool, even with its flaws. In the book of Numbers, Chapter 2, we can see that the Israelites had their own organization chart, even way back then. They not only organized themselves but they also counted and tracked specifically the number of people in each of the Tribes. In many ways it is fascinating to see that organizational elements of how we work with others has not changed and have been here for a long time. Among all the counting and the organization charts that are put in front of us, what is important that we remember that we are more than just a number or a name in a box on a piece of paper. We are each individuals who have something specific and unique to offer to our work, our company and to those around us who share the work we do. Because we sit somewhere on an organization chart that doesn't get called out or sit at the top, does not take away from the importance of the work we can do daily and for the Kingdom. Let today be a day where you see where you sit on the organization chart as a place of leverage, influence, and prominence for the glory that you can bring to God in the work that you do!

Reference: Numbers, Chapter 2 (New Living Testament)