Professional Assessment

Part of a work project requires me to stop by an office every now and then to ensure everything is going well. After changing their job descriptions, shuffling staff around, and hiring a new person the transitionary time across the office is almost complete – everyone seems to be functioning well in their roles. The office environment is pleasant, cordial and caring. It has become a fun place to be.

This week, I stopped by to assess progress and appraise the latest addition to the team. How was the new staff member settling into their responsibilities? Were they completing their tasks? Where they able to remain calm and cordial under pressure? Did they enhance the team focus and contribute to office harmony?

I arrived early, and as each person arrived it slowly became apparent that overnight an unexplained event had brought a difficulty to the office. Although it was not their fault, timing was bad – I was there to assess their work. With the mess it could appear as though they had not paid attention to their responsibilities and that their negligence had caused the dilemma. It was awkward. Especially for the new team member. She was uncomfortable and overwhelmed with the events, and she was the one whose primary responsibility it was to sort out the complication. Everyone assisted, but ultimately it was her responsibility. Although I understood what occurred, she was still overwhelmed with the events and how they could be perceived by me.

To protect herself she hesitated in explaining the events to me – she was defensive. And, for a moment, a bit aggressive too. Because she is young, I overlooked her demeanor and tone. Instead I chose to explain that although our discussions were the result of a difficulty, we were in this together – we were on the same team and together we would seek a resolution to the events. What safeguards could we implement, what could we do differently to prevent a reoccurrence? How could the team, as a group, come up with practical principles which they could all follow to avoid a repeat event. Choosing discussion words carefully so as not to leave anything open to being understood as accusatory or blaming as well as inviting each person to contribute to seeking a solution brought about a stronger team focus – we were in this together – we were there to help one another to present the best image of professionalism that we could. Our goal is to be known for our professionalism – to be the best – and strikingly different to others – we are to be the leaders in office professionalism in our community – and we are. They are! They truly are.

Investing in others calls for patience. It calls for practicing the fruit of the Spirit in our interactions with them. With this cultivated into the way we do business, how we lead others, and how we instruct them in the workplace – we will present our team as complete. Complete in their professional actions and interactions. How do you cultivate a professional environment in your workplace – one of excellence and competency? If your workplace does not allow for religious practices or discussions you can still apply the principles of Scripture with wisdom! Do you?

• The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

• Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).

• Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law (Galatians 5:16-18).

#work #fruit #professional