The literature of 12-step recovery programs has a lot to say about work. To paraphrase, the literature states that until we look at our jobs as opportunities to be of service to other people, rather than just a way to make money, we will never be content in our work. Instead, we will continue to face more anxiety as we attempt to hold onto what we have already achieved while craving ever more money to maintain our level of happiness and self-esteem.
We have all seen rich, powerful executives who don't seem to get much pleasure from their careers. Since many folks are just trying to pay the bills, a discussion of helping others at work might seem esoteric. But the fact is that most of us work, whether we want to or we have to, and any possibilities for making work more enjoyable and rewarding are worth considering.
First of all, what does it mean to be "of service?" This term, as it is applied in 12-step recovery, means helping another person without any expectation of reward or hidden motives. Therefore, being of service at work doesn't mean helping out the boss in hopes of a promotion, or taking care of your assistant to get him or her to work weekends. The kind of help we are talking about here, the kind that provides an incredible payback of self-esteem, is about the pleasure of the act itself.
Helping The Boss
It is always easy to help the boss, especially because there is often a reward attached to it. But what if you were to take a different tactic? Pick something that you can do to support the positive goals and daily wellbeing of your boss in his or her life at work. Now do it and don't tell anyone. That's right -- don't boast or expect a reward or use your help as an indicator of your worth to the company. Do something good for this person completely anonymously and I guarantee you that your relationship with not only your boss, but also your work, will change.
Helping The Assistant
Sometimes it doesn't seem like the smartest business strategy to help one's assistant to grow into a bigger job. After all, they will then leave, and no position is harder to fill than one where the person has to engage pleasantly in fairly uninteresting tasks. But when we encourage others to grow and achieve their dreams, we make lifelong allies. We never know how small acts of kindness and encouragement will benefit us later, but we all know the pleasure of watching someone succeed through our help. Your goal as a boss is for your assistant to leave you.
Helping The Rival
Every workplace has its rivalries: usually petty battles for position and power that don't bring much happiness to the victorious party. Instead of participating in these useless rivalries, do something that will completely throw your adversaries off base: Help them. This act of extending a hand may or may not be accepted. But you have taken the power back in a relationship that has become about desperation and need. Your statement is basically, "If you need this so much, I will help you." I think you may be surprised at who actually comes out ahead in the long run, both emotionally and in the workplace.
Whether you are looking for a job or entrenched in a long-term commitment, you can reshape the working world through helping others.
The Principles
by Patrick Moore
Available now on Lulu.com, Amazon.Com, and BarnesandNoble.com.
We have all seen rich, powerful executives who don't seem to get much pleasure from their careers. Since many folks are just trying to pay the bills, a discussion of helping others at work might seem esoteric. But the fact is that most of us work, whether we want to or we have to, and any possibilities for making work more enjoyable and rewarding are worth considering.
First of all, what does it mean to be "of service?" This term, as it is applied in 12-step recovery, means helping another person without any expectation of reward or hidden motives. Therefore, being of service at work doesn't mean helping out the boss in hopes of a promotion, or taking care of your assistant to get him or her to work weekends. The kind of help we are talking about here, the kind that provides an incredible payback of self-esteem, is about the pleasure of the act itself.
Helping The Boss
It is always easy to help the boss, especially because there is often a reward attached to it. But what if you were to take a different tactic? Pick something that you can do to support the positive goals and daily wellbeing of your boss in his or her life at work. Now do it and don't tell anyone. That's right -- don't boast or expect a reward or use your help as an indicator of your worth to the company. Do something good for this person completely anonymously and I guarantee you that your relationship with not only your boss, but also your work, will change.
Helping The Assistant
Sometimes it doesn't seem like the smartest business strategy to help one's assistant to grow into a bigger job. After all, they will then leave, and no position is harder to fill than one where the person has to engage pleasantly in fairly uninteresting tasks. But when we encourage others to grow and achieve their dreams, we make lifelong allies. We never know how small acts of kindness and encouragement will benefit us later, but we all know the pleasure of watching someone succeed through our help. Your goal as a boss is for your assistant to leave you.
Helping The Rival
Every workplace has its rivalries: usually petty battles for position and power that don't bring much happiness to the victorious party. Instead of participating in these useless rivalries, do something that will completely throw your adversaries off base: Help them. This act of extending a hand may or may not be accepted. But you have taken the power back in a relationship that has become about desperation and need. Your statement is basically, "If you need this so much, I will help you." I think you may be surprised at who actually comes out ahead in the long run, both emotionally and in the workplace.
Whether you are looking for a job or entrenched in a long-term commitment, you can reshape the working world through helping others.
The Principles
by Patrick Moore
Available now on Lulu.com, Amazon.Com, and BarnesandNoble.com.
2007 Patrick Moore
. All Rights Reserved.
