Article December 9, 1996 Issue

Healing in the workplace

Michelle Boccanfuso

Have you ever felt that if only you were the one making the decisions, things would be better for everyone? I have a friend who, following extensive experience in business, was appointed to a new position as a relief supervisor for a service organization. My friend had two full-time supervisors over him who did not have the strong business background that he had, however.

After a short time, he concluded that he was much more capable of supervising than his superiors were. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became, until it began to affect his attitude toward work. Then it occurred to him that he could pray for some correction to take place in this situation. God answered his prayers in an unexpected way.

One day this fellow found himself ruminating over all the good reasons why all concerned would be better off if he were in charge. In the midst of this process, the thought came: "So what? Maybe you would be a better supervisor, but maybe that's not the point! Perhaps you've had the opportunity to fine-tune your leadership skills, but now it's their turn." He immediately saw that he was being required to learn to be a good follower—a supportive and more effective team player.

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