01 May Pleasing the boss? Do we have to? – May 12

By: Ebnu Wiyono

A life’s transition is never an easy thing to go through. Since December 2008, I have worked in an office setting. Of course, as a new starter, I wanted to look good in front of my colleagues and especially my boss. I tried my best to learn as much as I can to impress them.

As time goes by, I started to feel some awkwardness. Some of my colleagues spoke bad things about our boss, but when they were with my boss, they were acting nicely. Some of us will do anything that the boss want, even though we know that is not a wise idea. And I was kind of trapped between two worlds: one is the world where I have to become salt and light to the world and the other is the world that I was talking above. Maybe this is what they call: politic in a workplace.

Then, what do we suppose to do? I will share some tips that hopefully will be useful for you:

1. Stand firm on Righteousness. Be a person that God creates you to be. We are all given a Spirit of Excellence in our life (II Corinthians 8:7), therefore instead of trying to please men, we need to depend on God to excel. A good career does not depend on human’s perception, but it is all because of the Grace of God if we can have it. We are created special in His way.
2. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21). Do what becomes our part and do NOT do what is not according to God’s Word. We do not have to be a ‘Yes man’. And this leads us to the last point.
3. “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:41). Be someone who wants to do the extra mile work. However, do not do this this for the sake of getting your boss’ attention, do this out of the love that we have from God. Be willing to stay back to help your colleagues, be willing to cover your colleague’s work when they can not do it. However, be wise at the same time. Do not over do everything.

Pleasing God and not men should be our main focus. When we stay focus on this, promotion will come after us.