Finding Love and Forgiveness in the Workplace

From class Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007:

I really gained a lot from our discussions on Tuesday. Sometimes it seems that everything in the world is teaching the same subject; this week's subject seems to be teams. The neat thing is that I'm finding a lot of applications to the things I've been learning.

It was interesting to discuss "love" in an organization. I thought about the different forms of management that are around. From personal experience, the carrot dangling isn't always effective. I worked construction last semester, and we had a bonus system. We could have ended up with a few thousand dollars, but... Bonuses are sweet, but it's tough to stay constantly motivated.

Whipping into shape doesn't work well for me either. I remember working on my Eagle, and I was not allowed to get my drivers license until I got my badge. Oh, how I kicked and screamed and hated life. As a result of my miserable life, my parents' lives were also miserable to a certain extent as well. I remember another time that we had moved just before my senior year of high school. I was definately bitter about it, and resolved to get in my car and move back. My mom didn't like that, and told me flat out that the title was in her name, and that if I left she would call the cops on me for auto theft. I was trapped, and it was not pleasant. Once again, I made life unbearable for my parents. It took some time to change my attitude and come around. Force may work at times, but it does have its costs.

Putting a blinder on.... well, in theory it should work, right? I have a few issues with that, however. What would have happened if blinders had been placed on Adam and Eve? They would have been forced to be righteous, and as a result, they'd probably still be in the garden and we wouldn't be here! Ultimately, putting blinders on removes choice and accountability, and we know that without choices we are nothing. Clearly that's not the way to go either.

That leaves us with what? Love. Charity. Kindness. It's a fairly new idea to me to include those concepts in the workplace, but it makes perfect sense. What makes Stephen Covey so successfull? He's applying gospel principles without saying what they are. So why can't we be successful as well, and just apply our religion to our lives? When someone loves you and honestly wants to help you, barriers are broken down and people are much more willing to cooperate.

Also, where is forgiveness in the workplace? Love and forgiveness go hand in hand, do they not? We need to be more understanding of people's mistakes, and be more like our Savior when working with others. This includes seeing people as who they really are- God's children- and not just as some object or thing.

If we'll incorporate these principles- love, forgiveness, understanding and kindness- we'll see a change in our lives, as well in the lives of those around us. People will be more willing to help and work with us, and we'll be closer to our Savior in the end as well.