Work satisfaction and Happiness: Is Your Heart at Peace?

Three Stories and a Question

Last week I met with a woman whose company had just been sold. Her particular job may not be part of the deal. She smiled genuinely through our entire conversation. She was at peace.

Pamela Slim at Escape from Cubicle Nation  features Glenda Watson-Wyatt on a recent post. You may not know Glenda, but it would be a good idea to get to know her. She typed her new book manuscript entirely with her thumb. Why? She didn't have a choice. Visit the post, click on Glenda's links, and find out more. Most of all, look at the bright smile that lights up the page.

In 1991, I received a phone call asking if I would consult/coach with a VP of Engineering at a major corporation. Part of his company had actually been shut down by a government monitoring agency. I was told by associates from other consulting firms not to work with him. They said he was  "old school," "narrow minded," and "kept to himself." (Whatever that was supposed to mean).

What had his part been in the company's situation? He had actually warned the CEO and Board of Directors, verbally and in writing,  that things were happening which were wrong. When the smoke cleared, he was the only one left of the management team.

The task? To re-invigorate and re-structure a large organization of people who had been under scrutiny, investigation, and ultimately found to be above-board in their dealings as well as highly competent in their profession.

I decided to ignore the comments and went to meet with him. At the end of our initial meeting it was clear to me that he wanted to make a real difference and leave a legacy of professionalism and integrity for his group. At that point I knew little about his personal background. I heard my voice begin a question that I had never asked a prospective client before: "How is your relationship with God?"

His answer: "I am totally at peace."

We worked together for 3 years on the project until his retirement. He was not only not old school nor narrow minded; he was willing to consistently be "out there" with his people to lead and encourage throughout the rebuilding of the division and the company.

Here we have three different people facing major challenges and obstacles that were not of their doing. The first person will do just fine. The second two made decisions and acted upon them with wisdom

None blamed their boss, their company, or life.

Instead, they began by being at peace with the situation and themselves. It allowed them to think clearly and act wisely.

Are you starting at the right place?

What do you need to be at peace with today?

photo source: dreampad.org

Comments

[Elvin]

Hi Steve,
Great entry on just having the guts to ask personal questions and letting emotions get involved.

[Steve Roesler]

Elvin, thanks so much for that encouragement. I'm trying to frame things in a way that, hopefully, will lead to some deeper and more meaningful thought about things that face all of us. Your comment is important to me.

Steve