“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” Ecclesiastes 2:24
In this series, so far we have discussed various relationships, such as parents and children, marriage, close or distant relatives. But in this article we will discuss a very important type of relationship. You spend almost as much time in this relationship, as you would in your relationship with your spouse, or your parents or children, depending on who you are living with. Most people who are working, spend at least 8 hours a day in work relationships. So therefore, it is important that this relationship works at its best. One of the reasons people don’t want to wake up in the morning to go to work, is because they do not want to see colleagues who they don’t have a good relationship with.
The Bible verse quoted in the beginning describes the attitude we should all have to enjoy our labour. It is not sufficient to do something that you really love to do, you also need people around you that you are friends with. This makes even the most tedious task lighter.
On average. we spend one third of our lives at work. The better we get along with the people we work with, the more productive we will be and the more pleasant the day is. You will be influenced, and have an influence on the people you work with. So how can you achieve a good work relationship? Just as it is with other relationships, to achieve a good relationship, several aspects come into play and we will mention only a few principal ones for the sake of brevity.
Trust
Although trusting God comes in the first place, having trust in your colleagues or boss is essential in maintaining or building work relationships. Trust is a key element, without which two individuals cannot cooperate or coexist. Without trust, we end up operating under a cloud of secrecy, miscommunication, jealousy, uncertainty, and suspicion. In order to build trust, there is another element that plays a very important role in all relationships, but especially work relationships, and that is communication.
Communication
The Bible teaches us “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29
What is communication? The imparting or exchanging of information, by speaking, writing or some other medium. Work is heavily dependent on communication, whether it be between employees and management, between business departments, or most importantly to customers.
Honest, clear communication in all these areas is vital, and it is especially necessary if a mistake has been made: acknowledging the mistake, describing how it happened, and how you are willing to resolve it, or where you need help, is part of what the Bible describes as ‘edifying’. Good communication makes an employee, colleague, or a boss so much more valuable in the role they find themselves.
“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12
After all, most of us are working with people that are not of our faith, and are called to be an example to people around us. As the Bible verse says, ‘by our good works, they may glorify God.’ Our communication may help them see how God talks to his children.
Respect
Often prejudice prevents good relationships. It may be cultural differences that creates the prejudice. It can be differing degrees of education levels, or social status that triggers prejudice. However, when prejudice takes place, respect has very little effect.
The best example we can observe is Jesus, and how he interacted with people with varying social status. We find that he treated Nicodemus with as much respect as he treated Mary Magdalene, or the rich young ruler as the widow with the two mites. When we act with respect toward our peers and our superiors, 90% of the time, we will be treated with the same respect.
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31
Kindness
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
In this selfish world where almost everyone looks for, or places his or her self-interests in the first place, kindness will change the atmosphere at work. Kindness can be expressed in many ways and forms:
- Through words: expressing gratitude, sympathy, encouraging words, words of compliments
- Through actions (good deeds)
- Through a smile
- Helping out where you can
- Lending a listening ear to those who struggle with problems
- Giving someone the benefit of the doubt
- Apologising when you need to
- And many other ways
Christ’s entire life on this earth was an act of kindness to the people He came in contact with: not even mentioning the great purpose of why He came to this world which was in itself the greatest kindness and sacrifice. If we manage to make it a daily habit to be kind to others at work or in our daily life, our work relationships and our daily lives will be seasoned with pleasant surprises and good will.
Teamwork
In most work environments people are usually working with colleagues, or if not ,at least they are connected with customers or other work personnel. This means that each has a role or task to carry out and in most cases these tasks are directly or indirectly involving third parties (colleagues, workmates or supervisors). Each of these roles depend on each person doing their tasks to the best of their abilities. Sometimes, especially when we are successful in the role we are working in, we tend to think that we alone can achieve success; that we are indispensable, that without us the success of the project that we are working on or even the company itself, would be in jeopardy.
Nehemiah was entrusted with the task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. The task was greater than one man could accomplish alone. He inspired people to team up, and each family repaired a section of the wall together. This was teamwork at its best. With one family missing or unwilling, the wall would have been incomplete.
“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” Nehemiah 4:6
Even the plan of salvation requires human contribution, teamwork with heavenly agencies. While God could have done it all alone, he engaged human instrumentalities to carry out the greatest project that has ever been. The sooner we learn to depend on each other, and allow others to depend on us, faithfully carrying out our share of the burden, the quicker we will have better work relationships.
Industry
There is a common, underlying human tendency that can be seen very often: “If someone else can do it, why should I do it.” The Bible teaches us that “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; …” Ecclesiastes 9:10 This means that the task you come upon, you should do it as if you were working for God himself, regardless of how menial the task is.
“Among the Jews physical toil was not thought strange or degrading. Through Moses the Hebrews had been instructed to train their children to industrious habits, and it was regarded as a sin to allow the youth to grow up in ignorance of physical labor. Even though a child was to be educated for holy office, a knowledge of practical life was thought essential. Every youth, whether his parents were rich or poor, was taught some trade. Those parents who neglected to provide such a training for their children were looked upon as departing from the instruction of the Lord. In accordance with this custom, Paul had early learned the trade of tentmaking.” Acts of the Apostles p. 346.2
An example we can find in the Bible of an industrious person, is in the life of Joseph. Taken from his family at an early age, to a strange land, into a strange family, he put this principle into action, and the Lord blessed him greatly. At his work place, he was blessed beyond measure.
The marked prosperity which attended everything placed under Joseph’s care was not the result of a direct miracle; but his industry, care, and energy were crowned with the divine blessing. Joseph attributed his success to the favor of God, and even his idolatrous master accepted this as the secret of his unparalleled prosperity. Without steadfast, well-directed effort, however, success could never have been attained. God was glorified by the faithfulness of His servant. It was His purpose that in purity and uprightness the believer in God should appear in marked contrast to the worshipers of idols—that thus the light of heavenly grace might shine forth amid the darkness of heathenism. Patriarchs and Prophets p. 214.4
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Proverbs 22:29
Our attitude to work, our level of industry paves the way for more opportunities and success in our business life. Both colleagues and employers will notice the diligence, industry, and care, and we will be rewarded by a good work environment at the least, and advancing career opportunities.
Summary
The effort we invest in work relationships js closely related to the success and happiness of our current and future life, including eternal. If we are seeking self interest in this or any other relationships we have already discussed so far, it will only return unhappiness and failure. Let us consider how we can improve these relationships, in which we spend so much of our life. Let us ask the Lord to give us wisdom to better optimise our work relationships. And if we need to make a fresh start, let us consider it, as the time invested in others will be reflected in our own happiness. May God bless us all with great work relationships.