Bad Job?

Do you ever feel like Dilbert above? Like you have the worst job possible? I know I sure have. I even wrote about it in Bleedership, Biblical First-Aid for Leaders.

So how do you change that? As I see it, these are your options:

1. You can change jobs
2. You can "grin and bear it" but still deep down hate it
3. You can complain about it and do nothing
4. You can quit and not work
5. You can decide to change your attitude

Number 1 could bring positive change. In fact, God might be showing you that He has something else for you.

It could be argued that number 2 is also a positive option. On one hand it is positive; however, in your heart you still hate your job. The Bible is very clear that "the heart is the wellspring of life." In other words, what is in your heart will eventually come out.

Number 3 is not a good option. In my mind, it shouldn't even be an option, yet this is the way most people would react in this situation. Please make a commitment to yourself that you will not be in this category.

Number 4 could be an option...for about .00000001% of the population. For the rest of us, we can cross this off our list.

Number 5 is obviously the one that gets my vote. Just like I wrote about a couple days ago in "Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar," changing your attitude and seeing your job as a way to impact and serve others can change everything. All of a sudden, your work is not just about work but rather it is about people...people you can impact and make a difference for.

So which option will you choose?

Lead By Example

Does this cartoon ring true of your work environment? Does it ring true of you?

I have experienced some of this during my career and I have to tell you, it drives me crazy!

This type of attitude is contagious. It can infect an entire organization.

If you work at a place like this, you can make a difference. Even if you are not in a position of leadership by title, you are still a leader. With persistence and perseverance, if you continually do what you say you are going to do, others will start to take notice. Colossians 3:23 tells us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men." One way to live this verse out is to fulfill your commitments.

If you are the leader of an organization and this is taking place, it is probably because you do this yourself. Remember, people will do what you do rather than what you say. Lead by example!

Dilbert Leadership

An article in today's Toledo Blade talked about a worker who had posted a "Dilbert" cartoon on the company's bulletin board. Apparently, the management team did not think it was very funny as they felt the worker was poking fun at them so they sued him. However, the judge found in favor of the worker.

I can see management's point. I agree that employees need to show respect and submit to the authority of their supervisor.

However, I believe that management (the leadership) needs to lead in such so as to not provide employees an opportunity to find a cartoon that shows their leadership style. Management needs to earn the respect of their employees.

In the case pointed out in this article, my bet is that the cartoon was probably a pretty close depiction of how these employees were being led. Rather than sue an employee for posting a cartoon, the management team should have looked inwardly and used this as a wake-up call to see how they were leading and what they needed to change.

Loyalty vs. Competence

Loyalty is a very good quality. However, when it is placed above competence, that can be a very bad thing for an organization. That is a sure way to kill morale.

Have you ever worked for someone who valued "the good ol' boys (or girls)" over those who were actually doing what they were supposed to be doing? Have you ever done this yourself?