It's annual appraisal week here at The Good Book Company. That yearly chance for staff to get together with their managers to talk about how things are going. We're a friendly bunch. There are rarely any major problems. But I like to do well in my appraisal so when, in a doctor's waiting room, I saw an article on making progress in your job, I thought I'd have a read.
"In today's employment market, where competition to get a job, hold onto it and get promoted is tougher than ever, it's important you learn to use your wiles to stay on top" it began. A slightly more ambitious tone than I generally adopt but I was still interested in its advice. How did it continue? To stay on top you should do 7 things:
Now, leaving aside for one moment the fact that I would look utterly ridiculous if I tried to dress like my boss, there are some seemingly wise words here. Being a team player and volunteering for roles are lovely things to be and do. And getting feedback so you can improve is entirely sensible. But there are also some terrifying words here. All 7 of these actions are designed to make you look good (regardless of whether you are good) at your job. Even being a team player was couched in terms of making a good impression rather than desiring to be good. Image over substance was the order of the day.
But that wasn't where the real terror lay... "The real office player is totally two-faced and will be lying constantly to everyone to make themselves look better. Learning to deceive this person and make them think that you're their best friend and most valuable colleague is crucial for your survival."
If we are to believe this glossy mag, the way to progress at work is to lie, manipulate, form false-alliances with deceptive people and self-promote on the basis of appearance. Nice!
I have no doubt some workplaces operate like this. In the past, I've been there and watched the politics unfold. And I'm not naive enough to think that it's easy to stand apart from such behaviour when then pressure is on. But as Christians, our standards need to be rather different. As Paul taught the church at Colossae,
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism. Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Colossians 3:22-4:1
We should do well at our place of employment not because we're brilliant, not because we're ambitious, and certainly not because we're devious ... but because we're working for the Lord. When we're filing or making multi-million pound deals; when we're gardening or teaching a room full of people - we're ultimately doing it for Jesus and his glory and there's no greater motivation to do our job well than that.
