Imago Dei

I love getting advice from women who are old enough to have life experience to back up what they’re saying. Which is funny since I love giving advice and don’t always have that experience (what twenty-something does?).

But this woman I work with told me a story today about a job she had when she was younger. She worked for a man who was legally blind, but could still read if the paper was about half an inch from his face. She had typed a letter to send to someone and (this was in the days before computers) made a mistake. To correct it, she whited it out and typed over it. It was obvious that she had made a mistake, but she didn’t think her boss would catch it because of his impairement. After he was finished reading the letter, he handed it back to her and said, “Let me ask you a question. Are you ever going to meet these people?” She replied, “No.” “So if this is the only part of you that these people are ever going to know, do you still want to send it like that?”

She immediately took the letter back and re-did it properly.

She said that’s when she got “it.” That’s when she understood the value of a good and decent work ethic. Then she said one more thing that seemed profound (though probably isn’t).

You’re hired for what you know, and you’re fired for who you are.

That really struck me. I’d never though about it before, but it’s very much the reality.

I’ve always though that I have this great work ethic. The reality? It needs improvement. I was just awarded employee of the quarter from my department (literally less than an hour ago), and even though it made this day so much better than it had been, I know that I can be an even better employee than I am. The work that I do is a direct reflection of my character. The spirit with which I do that work is also a direct reflection on my character. Every day I should strive to improve my character - and that means improving my work ethic and the quality of my work.

Here’s hoping that I, too, “get it”when it comes to working.

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