I was trolling through one of the forums I frequently visit and I came across an interview conducted by somebody I’ve never heard of before interviewing somebody else I have never heard of before. I’m not going to link to the site or the article because 80% of it was the mindless, self indulgent, drivel of somebody who thinks they are the be-all and end-all of workers ethics. I really didn’t agree with all his other points, but the last two questions and answers I found very interesting in regards to careers.
Q: What is your advice to professionals?
A: Like Narayan Murthy had said love your job and not your company because you never know when your company will stop loving you. In the same lines, love yourself and your family needs more than the company’s needs. Companies can keep coming and going; family will always remain the same. Make money for yourself first and simultaneously make money for the company, not the other way around.Q: What is your biggest pain point with companies?
A: When a company does well, its CEO etc will address the entire company saying, well done guys, it is YOUR company, keep up the hard work, I am with you. But when the slowdown happens and the company does not do so well, the same CEO etc will say, It is MY company and to save the company, I have to take tough decisions including asking people to go. So think about your financial stability first; when you get laid off, your kids will complain to you and not your boss.
I liked these point because I have fallen prey to the “company loyalty” ideal twice before. I think this sums up the idea nicely that your first responsibility in a job is just to make money. How simple is that, yet how easy is it to forget.
October 6, 2009 at 10:26 am
Interesting…
On one hand, I agree wholeheartedly. I think a “job” needs to be put in perspective–it’s a way to make money. We need money to buy food, clothes, a roof over our heads, and keep our wife happy. We also need it to finance our hobbies and other things we enjoy, and if we are Christ-followers, to resource the mission of Jesus locally and around the world.
I also think that there has been a shift in culture that has created the scenario in the interview, from a community-focus to a self-focus. Gone are the days when you could get a job out of high school and work for that company your entire life–yet this was the case not too long ago. Chances are you have a relative like my Grandpa who literally worked for one company his entire life. It wasn’t unique. But a culture of selfishness is also self-perpetuating: it is foolish to look out for someone who is already only looking out for themselves. The end result is that you better look out for yourself or you’ll get screwed. A “company-focused” mentality only works when everyone is looking out for everyone else. Then each of us can work for the good of the other because we know that they are working for our good. Of course, even in the best culture, that’s still a far-off utopia.
Having said that, here’s where I disagree with the interviewee. As Christians, we’re called to be a light in the darkness, and we have been transformed so that we submit to a different standard. That means that we’re sent on mission–so our job, no matter how awful it may seem, is an opportunity to reflect the glory of God. And our “company” (thinking mainly of the people that comprise it, not the institution itself) needs to see the glory of God in our lives. And our co-workers need us to get their backs so that they will see the glory of God reflected in our activities. And we also know that work is an activity that we are called to by God for the glory of God.
And what’s the end result? We’ll probably get screwed over a couple of times. But God will have been glorified. And that’s the goal.
October 7, 2009 at 8:04 am
Hey Jeremy, thanks for the thoughts.
I too can’t say that I agreed with everything that the interviewee said. He has a very self centered mentality when it came to his work. But from my perspective I don’t understand why I person can’t better himself and/or his financial situation through a job change and still bring glory to God? Regardless of where we are or what were doing, bringing glory to God should be the end result. In my experience when I’m working hard, because that is how Christians are supposed to work, it makes people stand out from the pack and usually a promotion or job change is a natural result of that hard work.
If possible could you elaborate on what you mean by being screwed over? I don’t think that anyone (Christian of not) should have to be screwed over in a job (or any area of life) and have to remain in the situation. If you have the ability to move on to “greener pastures” why wouldn’t you? I believe God could use you as much as there as he could anywhere else.