The following blog post was first published on the Hope Community Church website as part of the Marketplace Matters Ministry. I’m honored to serve along side other Christ-followers who find purpose in their work. If you live in Raleigh-Durham, I encourage you to visit us and attend one of our monthly networking and leadership events.
One of the keys to success in the marketplace is for individuals to connect on a personal level. I have found this to be true in my own career, spanning two continents of work experiences. But don’t just take my word for it; this reality has also been proven through numerous studies and is well described in Gallup’s Q12 workplace evaluation. This assessment links employee’s personal connection with profitability, productivity, safety and customer loyalty. I can honestly say that my level of satisfaction for work has been directly correlated with the relationships I’ve created on a professional and personal level.
A true connection happens when we share more than just our successes. Yes, it is good to share in the ways one was able to climb to the top of a mountain – the summit can be anything you have envisioned doing: the launch of a business, the roll-out of a new product, or even the creation of a new brand. Still, the biggest growth happens when we slip; when we are holding onto a ledge, too afraid to look down; when the weight of the world challenges our climb and weighs us down. The desire of our flesh is to sustain all the pressure and make it to the top by our own strength; bruised to the bone. We want to be the main character of this story. But that role has already been taken.
Another prominent part awaits us.
In God’s epic story He shows us his relentless passion and pursuit for a people gone prodigal. Our role is to share God’s unending love for us and fulfill the Ministry of Reconciliation, as presented by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:18:
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
The Cross was a pivotal moment that changed history and made all believers ambassadors of Christ wherever we go: in our neighborhood, at the grocery store, at our kids schools, and in the marketplace. We have a role to play; one of great importance. While the corporate landscape certainly provides challenges to the sharing of your story, humility is key when connecting with others.
To better understand our role in God’s story we have to first recognize the 3 biggest challenges we face in our sharing, and how we can focus on “playing our part.”
1. Living a busy life keeps us from truly connecting with others – When was the last time you took a lunch break and simply spoke with a co-worker about life? Focus on recognizing the brokenness in people. We hear bits and pieces of people’s stories when we hang out by the water cooler. We connect with others when we share in their brokenness.
2. Living in isolation keeps us from being real with others – When was the last time you shared about your own struggles? Inviting others into your story of brokenness allows you to share how God has reconciled you. We are all broken. Being real provides credibility to our position and helps others to feel we are reachable.
3. Living only for our own objectives keeps us from making a difference in the lives of others – When was the last time that you put your plans aside to aid a co-worker? Impact people by following through with actions of understanding and caring for others (as hard as it might be). Showing consistency between your message and actions fosters authenticity.
Ultimately, what you do matters! Share your story! A life might be changed for eternity!
David Marques 