Month: September 2021

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Surviving Work Politics II

Didaskalos

“So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.” ‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭18:5, 14‬ ‭

Hello and glad to come your way again.

Last two weeks, we left off with politics is rife especially among work. People can be quite surprised at that, thinking it should be the last place to be. Knowing that, you should be able to survive and thrive in such an environment. People have been shocked thinking changing jobs will eliminate that, only to find out it is the same everywhere.

Today, I want us to look at how David survived a wicked boss in King Saul. How come he didn’t end as a prey in his master’s kingdom? The two verses I shared explains why.

The first verse is after David’s conquest of Goliath which brought him notoriety. He made friends with the king’s son in Jonathan, he behaved wisely and was promoted. David didn’t lose his head after a major victory. It is interesting to note that when some achieve a personal victory, they just ‘go wild’.

The second verse was after surviving Saul’s attempted murder and been promoted. At this stage of his life, this was his second promotion.

I find it amazing that even after surviving an attempted murder, he still accepted King Saul’s promotion to being a captain.

So in between killing Goliath and David’s second promotion, two times the Bible quotes on David “behaving wisely”. The general definition of wisdom is “applying common sense or knowledge”, but in David’s case, wisdom’s definition is more that. It also speaks of sobriety in thought and been able to discern people’s thoughts and moves before they happen. It always gave him an upper hand. That is also wisdom.

David’s wisdom in this verse talks to me about emotional intelligence. What is that? It is generally defined as managing your emotions to communicate effectively. It has a lot to with empathy and also overcoming challenges (conflicts). David’s best friend was the son of his boss who wanted him dead, and also became a son in law to this same boss… let that sit with you for a minute. He managed relationships despite being in a ‘lion’s den’ . Some just alienate themselves from the whole team to be an island because of one bad worker. A posture like that won’t survive in today’s corporate world. Life is hinged and built on relationships.

The last thing I want to dwell on is, David’s focus at the job he was assigned to in the palace. I mean, how can you remain that resolute and calm in such a ‘workplace’? That to me speaks of wisdom. Don’t let politics in the workplace sway you away from the duties and responsibilities of your job. Some get easily distracted and form groups among themselves, which at times can be unfruitful. They do nothing but promote mutiny in an already toxic environment.

I am not criticizing but sharing an observation; today’s graduates (Generation Y/millennials) have very thin skin. They feel entitled and quit at the least pressure. They think just having ‘book knowledge’ on the job is just enough to succeed in today’s workplace. They have no life skills in dealing with problems and managing different personalities. Perhaps, they are products of their environment. I can’t tell but wonder aloud. Let your knees not buckle at the sign of the least pressure… life is hard! Four years of college doesn’t teach that fully, till you get out there in the work environment or experience life.

May I end on this note that, wisdom is not beyond us. I will leave you with this Bible verse.

“But maybe you need to know how to be wise. Then ask God to help you. He is ready to give everyone what they need. And he never says that it is wrong to ask. So, God will help you to be wise.” James‬ ‭1:5‬

Ask God in prayer- that’s it!

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Till, I come your way again…

Peace & Love