How Humility Looks and Sounds at Work
Our Stability Project continues with St. Benedict's "Degrees of
Humility" as laid out in his Rule. Today, as we did last time, we'll combine some of the next few degrees.
Again,
our intention is to ground our work in the Rule of St. Benedict. Our
hope is that by so grounding our daily labors in the expert guidance
this masterwork provides we will foster stability in our workplace.
As we've seen before, we'll apply some creativity in applying these to our work and our workplace. We may not be monks, and we may not work in a monastery, but that won't mean St. Benedict's wisdom can't help is as it has helped holy monks for centuries.
The 8th degree of humility: that a monk do nothing except what is commended by the common rule of the monastery and the example of his superiors.
Let's first see how can we apply this "common rule" to our workplace.
Well, we've been applying the Rule of St. Benedict in so many ways since we started our project to increase stability in our workplace. In addition, while our workplace may not have a "Rule" laid out in particulars like that of St. Benedict, it likely has certain "rules" that distinguish it from another workplace. If, like me, you've held a number of positions in various industries with different companies, you know that each has its own distinct culture, way of doing business and treating employees. Each has a different "feel" about it. Our job is to understand that culture, how people get along, how things are done. That's why, when most successful businesses hire new people, they consider not only their accomplishments and skill set, but evaluate how they might "fit in" with the other employees. Good companies provide training, even to experienced hires, to be sure they can apply their skills consistent with the way the company does business.
Now let's apply following the examples of our "superiors." All we need to understand is that we all work for someone - even if we work "for ourselves." (See our previous discussion.) And as we follow the "rules" of our workplace, so too we look to the example of our superiors. While this could be a boss, it could also be those whose competence and work ethic could provide a good example for us to follow.
Indeed, we can not only follow good example, but ourselves aspire to be one of those who provide good example. And the following degrees of humility provide some specific suggestions as to how we can do just that. As we study these, keep Our Lord in mind. He sets the perfect example for us to follow. Our workplace is no exception. You'll see that these degrees of humility observed in a prudent and discreet manner, tailored to our particular situation in our own workplace, will help us to follow Jesus' example.
The 9th degree of humility: that a monk restrain his tongue and keep silence, not speaking until he is questioned.. For Scripture shoeweth that 'in much talking thou canst not avoid sin' ; and that 'the talkative man shall not prosper on the earth.'
The 10th degree of humility: that he be not ready and prompt to laughter, for it is written: 'The fool lifteth up his voice in laughter.'
The 11th degree of humiity: that a monk, when he speaks, do so gently and without laughter, humbly and seriously, in few and sensible words, and without clamour. It is written: 'A wise man is known by the fewness of his words.'
9, 10, and 11 show us how humility looks and sounds. There's no self-promotion or preening for the humble man; no foolishness, always looking to crack a joke. That doesn't mean a humble man walks around with a sour look and lacks a sense of humor. But excessive yukking it up won't fly.
Next time we wrap up with the 12th degree of humility. It describes how one who has incorporated the previous degrees of humility into his or her thoughts, words and actions will manifest true humility.
We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee,
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