9/15 When Visitors Come to Our Workplace

In various jobs over the years I've had occasion to host "visitors" in my workplace. Of course this depends on the specific sort of work you do. But if we give "visitors" a broad definition, many of us deal with visitors throughout the work day in many different businesses

Here's what St. Benedict has to say about visitors to the monastery, typically in the form of guests: 

Of The Reception of Guests

"Let all guests that come be received by Christ, for he wil say: I was a stranger and ye took me in. And let fitting honour be shown to all, but especially to churchmen and pilgrims. As soon, therefore, as a guest is announced, let the superior or some brethren meet him with all charitable service. And first of all let them pray together...whether they be arriving of departing, let the greatest humility be shown...let the superior, or a monk appointed by him, sit with them...In the reception of poor men and pilgrims special attention should be shown because in them is Christ more truly welcomed; for the fear which the rich inspire is enough of itself to secure them honour."

Guests showing up was not an unusual event. And apparently they showed up at all hours. So St. Benedict not only wants to make sure they're treated properly, but he takes extensive measures to gear up the monastery to do this.

My experience with visitors was a bit more controlled. When I worked at large companies, it might be visitors to our location from another company location. If colleagues, they were welcomed and situated according to the purpose of their visit. If a boss or bosses, things were a little more formal and - depending on the boss's personality - perhaps fraught with anxiety at times. 

In positions where I served clients and customers, I've hosted these either by appointment, as I do now in a professional capacity. Or, when working in retail establishments during my school years, visitors in the form of customers would simply show up (or at least we hoped they would!). Just as in St. Benedict's description above, there was usually some sort of overall protocol we were required to follow, from greeting on through to the end of the visit.

Was humility a part of the protocol? It is in my current business. But I don't remember anything about humility being part of the protocol in other jobs. Frankly, it's probably a good idea to discuss and incorporate a humble attitude when greeting customers and clients. It's certainly better than "showing off" how wonderful we and our products are, especially when it's an exaggerated, marketing-driven approach. But maybe that's just me. 

And to emphasize comprehensive care given to visitors to the monastery, St. Benedict typically makes sure that nothing is left to chance:

"Let there be a separate kitchen for the abbot and guests so that the brethren may not be disturbed when guests - who are never lacking in a monastery - arrive at irregular hours. There shall be appointed to this kitchen by the year two brethren who can discharge the duty well...The guest house shall be assigned to a brother whose soul is full of the fear of God...let the house of God be administered by prudent men in a prudent manner."

However we encounter visitors in our workplace, we can take away some of St. Benedict's thoroughness and care. Humility, especially in the form of setting aside ego and the desire to impress, will open the door to good, productive exchange. Having a set protocol of some sort in how we greet and treat our visitors will allow us to avoid anxiety or confusion. These help put our visitor at ease.

Whether boss, colleague, customer or client, a visitor at ease would be a good result for each encounter. And, of course, people at ease with each other would contribute to stability in the workplace.