What image do you project in your work?
Many of us are "image-conscious" in the workplace. I once worked for a boss who spent most of his time "projecting" his image. I suspect he thought he was exercising good "leadership" skills."
He would get in around 6 AM. He was usually the last one to leave at night. He was always crisply dressed and always walked quickly (practically running, in fact), with a sense of "urgency." (How he stayed dry and pressed on rainy days in New York City was a marvel to behold!) His hair was perfect, his face ruddy, his fingernails always carefully manicured.
He took notes all the time, carrying a hard-bound 81/2" by 11" notebook with him to all meetings. Everyone who directly reported to him did exactly the same. It was quite comical at times to see them together in a room at a meeting, speaking quickly and furiously taking notes.
Maybe you don't consciously project an image on the job; maybe you do. But whether you do or not, your words and actions affect others. And if you're Catholic, whether you like it or not, you set an example of "Christian gentleman" to everyone around you. What example do you set for others? It's important that you are aware of the example you set. People will judge not only you, but Christianity by what they see in you.
We're all called to spread the "good news" of the Gospel. Since most of us don't go around literally preaching the Gospel, our everyday words and actions become the means we use to spread the good news. That's why your example, what you say and do, makes such a difference.
I'm not trying to make you super self-conscious at work. But the fact is, if people know you're Catholic (and they should, right?), they'll judge the Church by what they see in you. They may even be more or less attracted to Jesus Christ Himself by what they see in you. If you want to help people come to Christ, you need to be aware of this.
After a few years of managing his image, that guy was let go. Corporate results were poor and he was one of the executives who took the hit. In the little direct dealing I had with him, he would always put on a good show, but we never seemed to be able to accomplish our objectives. Of course, he always looked good doing whatever it is he did. In the end, he even managed his image as he was saying good-bye, playing the good corporate citizen, talking up the "great organization," telling everyone it was simply time to "move on." No one believed him. People knew he was pushed out. It was strange.
In the end, we won't be judged by Our Lord for our business results. We won't be judged by the good show we put on at work. But we will be judged by how well we spread the good news.
If, in some way, people saw Christ in us, if they were attracted to His Church because of the example we set by our words and actions, we will have succeeded as Catholic men at work.
He would get in around 6 AM. He was usually the last one to leave at night. He was always crisply dressed and always walked quickly (practically running, in fact), with a sense of "urgency." (How he stayed dry and pressed on rainy days in New York City was a marvel to behold!) His hair was perfect, his face ruddy, his fingernails always carefully manicured.
He took notes all the time, carrying a hard-bound 81/2" by 11" notebook with him to all meetings. Everyone who directly reported to him did exactly the same. It was quite comical at times to see them together in a room at a meeting, speaking quickly and furiously taking notes.
Maybe you don't consciously project an image on the job; maybe you do. But whether you do or not, your words and actions affect others. And if you're Catholic, whether you like it or not, you set an example of "Christian gentleman" to everyone around you. What example do you set for others? It's important that you are aware of the example you set. People will judge not only you, but Christianity by what they see in you.
We're all called to spread the "good news" of the Gospel. Since most of us don't go around literally preaching the Gospel, our everyday words and actions become the means we use to spread the good news. That's why your example, what you say and do, makes such a difference.
I'm not trying to make you super self-conscious at work. But the fact is, if people know you're Catholic (and they should, right?), they'll judge the Church by what they see in you. They may even be more or less attracted to Jesus Christ Himself by what they see in you. If you want to help people come to Christ, you need to be aware of this.
After a few years of managing his image, that guy was let go. Corporate results were poor and he was one of the executives who took the hit. In the little direct dealing I had with him, he would always put on a good show, but we never seemed to be able to accomplish our objectives. Of course, he always looked good doing whatever it is he did. In the end, he even managed his image as he was saying good-bye, playing the good corporate citizen, talking up the "great organization," telling everyone it was simply time to "move on." No one believed him. People knew he was pushed out. It was strange.
In the end, we won't be judged by Our Lord for our business results. We won't be judged by the good show we put on at work. But we will be judged by how well we spread the good news.
If, in some way, people saw Christ in us, if they were attracted to His Church because of the example we set by our words and actions, we will have succeeded as Catholic men at work.
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