Dealing with Your Colleagues @ The Workplace
This workplace of ours is full of people. A mix of people from different countries, race, backgrounds, cultures and experiences all working together towards the set goals of the company. Working with your colleagues which includes everyone above, on and below your position could be a very pleasant one or challenging.
As far as Solomon is concerned, he sees that;
... there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die
Ecclesiastes 3:22 NLT
Very true! We should enjoy our work, since we spend the bulk of our life at the workplace. Unfortunately this is not the case for many due to work related challenges faced mostly with senior colleagues. It‘s easier to deal with colleagues on the same level and below yours but certainly not with those directly above.
We shall be looking at how to deal with challenging on the job related situations that involves yourself and your senior colleagues from God‘s perspective.
ACCEPT, RESPECT AND OBEY YOUR BOSS ALWAYS
Irrespective of whether he or she does not like you, is unreasonable or even cruel.
You who are slaves (workers) must accept the authority of your masters (boss) with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.
1 Peter 2:18 NLT
DO WHAT IS RIGHT ALWAYS
Turn up for work early. Do your work. Keep in line with the company code of conduct. You might say 'I do all this, I have done nothing wrong. This is unfair' Keep doing right.
For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 1 Peter 2:19 NLT
TRY TO PLEASE YOUR BOSS ALWAYS
Work willingly all the time and even at after hours where required
Slaves (workers), obey your earthly masters (boss) in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.
Colossians 3:22 NLT
BE OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR – DO NOT TALK BACK
There are tendencies to flip and have a go at your boss by talking back.
Slaves (workers) must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good.
Titus 2:9-10 NLT
NEVER REJOICE OVER BAD SITUATIONS THAT CONFRONTS YOUR BOSS
There is a tendency to say from the heart 'That serves him right‘ to something bad that you have just learnt that has happened to your boss, such as – redundancy, accident, sickness etc
Don‘t rejoice when your enemies fall; don‘t be happy when they stumble. For the LORD will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them
Proverbs 24:17-18 NLT
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF WHO YOU ARE WORKING FOR
All of the above becomes easy to obey by when you have a change of perspective of who you are working for.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23 NLT
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
Ephesians 6:7-8 NLT
BE HAPPY. BE GLAD. THERE ARE REWARDS
God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way
Matthew 5:11-12 NLT
Slaves (workers) must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
Titus 2:9-11 NLT
FINALLY
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.
James 5:13 NLT
Abraham Praise is an Operations and Engineering Executive at BBC Worldwide and helps to run the BBC Christian Fellowship at White City. This is taken from a series he ran at the felowship called @ The Work Place