Participants: Eric Kelly
Series Code: WTD
Program Code: WTD000010A
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00:01 You know, when you're working the dream,
00:03 the struggle is also real. 00:07 You have to be determined. 00:09 You have to work hard. 00:13 You need to be compassionate. 00:15 Set goals and be timely. 00:19 Stay focused. And reach high. 00:22 You need all this, 00:23 and the lord to come together to make you a better person 00:27 while you are working the dream. 00:31 Hello, and welcome to "Working the dream." 00:34 I'm your host, Eric Kelly. 00:35 And today, we're going to share tips on an issue 00:38 that all of us sooner or later must deal with, 00:42 and that is workplace competition. 00:45 Now sometimes, 00:46 workplace competition is beneficial 00:49 because it can spur a commitment 00:51 to self-improvement. 00:53 Now it goes with that saying 00:55 that financial incentives and bonuses 00:58 will always get the competition going. 01:00 However, those who see the bigger picture 01:03 may take the competition as an opportunity 01:06 to better themselves 01:07 and the process of winning the competition. 01:10 Self improvements may include actions 01:12 like changing work habits, to be more organized, 01:15 to be more creative, and thorough, 01:18 however, always aiming to achieve the goals 01:21 and perform a higher quality of work. 01:25 Now companies love competition and here's why? 01:29 Your company whether it is privately held 01:31 or publicly traded 01:33 is always, and I do mean always, 01:37 looking for a way to make itself more profitable. 01:40 There are only two ways to do this. 01:42 Upgrade the quality of company processes, 01:45 and or upgrade the quality of the employee workforce. 01:49 Now if I had a dime 01:51 for all of the times I've been in meetings, 01:52 and heard senior executives cast doubt 01:55 that they had the right people in the right places 01:57 to become more efficient, to become more profitable, 02:00 I would have a considerable amount of cash. 02:03 I can recall in more than a few instances, 02:05 the senior team gave the command. 02:08 It's time to "upgrade the herd." 02:11 Now while that may not sound good to those of us 02:14 that are the herd, 02:16 working out harder to contribute 02:18 to our respective organizations, 02:20 it does give you insight 02:21 into just how competitive the workplace is. 02:25 So whether you are attempting to get a promotion 02:27 or just trying to hold on to the job that you have, 02:31 it's in your best interest 02:33 to foster good healthy competition. 02:37 Now the executive belief is cream rises to the top. 02:43 So let's break this down as to how the company benefits 02:46 when workers are competitive. 02:49 First of all, there's a higher level of productivity. 02:53 Tough competition among employees 02:55 breeds productivity in the workplace. 02:58 The presence of competitors 03:00 aiming for similar goals like promotions or salary increases, 03:05 it naturally pushes people to be work oriented, 03:07 to be more diligent and focused 03:09 in achieving those goals that are in front of them. 03:12 In fact, they're going to function 03:14 and in most excellent manner 03:15 because they want to impress the boss. 03:17 And they really want to finish on top of everyone else. 03:20 Now this kind of healthy competition 03:22 helps ease management's concerns 03:24 over wasted resources or idle workers. 03:28 Competition also increases 03:30 the level of organizational efficiency. 03:33 Competition pushes employees to meet deadlines 03:36 and adhere to management standards. 03:38 And they avoid 03:40 creating a poor impression with the bosses. 03:42 And really everybody wants to gain the trust 03:45 and confidence of upper management. 03:48 Competition helps boost companies to higher profits. 03:52 So naturally, higher productivity 03:54 and efficiency 03:55 will help increase the company's net income. 03:59 Competition drives cooperative teamwork. 04:02 If the competition is structured 04:03 so that the team wins rather than just an individual, 04:06 the chances of success of the project 04:08 are very, very high. 04:10 Working in teams will always be a good strategy 04:13 to get things done 04:14 because instead of having only a single person win, 04:17 there's a group of people working together 04:19 to achieve a common goal. 04:21 A team with good dynamics pushes each member 04:24 to continuously improve 04:26 and contribute something to the team. 04:30 We can learn from competitors. 04:32 In any company, 04:33 the work place will always be filled 04:35 with talented individuals 04:37 with different areas of expertise 04:38 and specialization. 04:40 Friendly competition among employees 04:42 will promoting atmosphere that is conducive for learning 04:45 that's because of each other's strengths, 04:47 and also from the failures, we can learn from those, 04:50 each in the best interest of the company. 04:54 So let's take a look 04:55 at how a competitive situation might start. 05:11 Good morning. Good morning. 05:14 So I guess you two heard 05:16 that we parted ways with, Mr. Chaikin. 05:18 That's the best news we've heard all day. 05:20 Well, I think it is King Mufasa master efficiency thing 05:24 just wore people out. 05:26 So he's gone. 05:28 But on the flip side, I have good news. 05:30 I am the new director of Analytics. 05:34 So I'll be your manager again. 05:36 And I'm really happy to do that. 05:39 Shayla, I know that I was kind of hard on you. 05:42 I'm really sorry. 05:43 I just really wanted to push you to greatness. 05:47 It's all in the past, Ms. Greene. 05:49 Call me Cynthia. 05:51 I took a management training class 05:52 in creating a healthy work environment. 05:55 And, Ron, I am really glad to work with you again. 05:57 Same here. 05:59 So, it's great. 06:01 So are we getting a new manager under you to manage us? 06:05 Yeah, actually we're considering all the options. 06:09 We may hire from within, we might promote from within 06:13 or we might hire somebody from the outside. 06:15 We're going to wait and see how that works out. 06:18 Well, I have to take a call. 06:19 But I just wanted to make sure that I gave you guys the news. 06:24 Thanks. Good to see you. 06:25 Good to see you. Have a good day. 06:26 You too. Thanks. 06:33 So did you hear what I heard? Yeah. 06:35 They might be promoting a senior. 06:38 I don't know, why you got that look on your face, 06:40 you know it's going to be me. 06:42 I have been Ms. Greene's favorite forever. 06:44 And I've been here long. 06:45 What does that have to do with anything? 06:47 After you left, all your work got piled on my desk, 06:50 and I handled it. 06:52 She knows I'm more than capable. 07:16 Now what you just saw happens often in the real world. 07:21 The workplace is so incredibly dynamic 07:24 that positions are opening up 07:25 and closing down all of the time. 07:27 In fact, it is very likely 07:29 that based on some issue of turnover in your company, 07:32 a position above your salary grade 07:34 will open up. 07:35 Now when that happens, 07:37 you and your peers 07:38 will want to move up in the organization 07:40 into that open position. 07:42 The recognition feels great 07:44 and the corresponding increase in salary 07:46 is usually pretty good too. 07:49 Yet workplace competition is not always positive. 07:53 It can create unhealthy rivalries 07:56 that result in workers resenting one another. 07:59 It can create a gap between the haves and the have not's. 08:03 And that can prove to be very unhealthy 08:05 in internal work relations. 08:07 Here are some challenges 08:09 that can create a negative workplace 08:10 when there is competition. 08:12 First of all, stress. 08:14 Unhealthy competition increases the level of stress 08:17 with employees. 08:18 This will eventually have negative effects 08:20 for the company 08:22 as stress negatively impacts the concentration of employees 08:26 which leads to increased levels of un-productivity 08:29 and inefficiencies. 08:31 Good employees may leave. 08:35 Some employees, who are not mentally and emotionally tough, 08:38 might succumb to the intense pressure 08:40 brought on by competition, 08:42 and eventually leave the company 08:43 in search of a better workplace environment. 08:47 Often employees might work to bring each other down. 08:50 Competition can bring out the selfish side of everyone 08:53 and this can lead to some pretty ugly consequences. 08:56 Some employees may be too focused 08:58 on achieving company goals 09:00 to the point that they're willing 09:01 to bring each other down just to get ahead. 09:04 And with all of this, team spirit can suffer. 09:08 In the face of competition, 09:11 self always emerges as the central character 09:15 unless of course we're being guided by the Holy Spirit. 09:19 Notions of teams or group, we disregard those, 09:23 because we have to win. 09:26 This also breeds a lack of trust, 09:28 because in an environment 09:29 that fosters unhealthy competition, 09:32 trust is always an issue. 09:34 I mean, the lack of trust in the workplace 09:35 undermines communication among the employees 09:38 and usually destroys work relationships. 09:42 So let's look at how some of this might play out 09:46 with Ron and Shayla. 10:41 Oh, no need to sit. 10:42 I just have some quick news for you. 10:44 We promoted Cassie 10:46 to the position of manager of analytics 10:48 effective next week. 10:49 So you'll be reporting to her. 10:51 Cassie? Are you serious? 10:53 Yes, and I expect you to work with her 10:55 like you worked with me. 11:00 Cassie. 11:07 These two again. 11:08 Are you leaving? 11:11 Yes, I told you, I don't live here. 11:14 Really, I thought you had some secret door 11:16 that led you to some underground Bachelor Pad 11:18 or something. 11:20 Bachelor Pad? 11:21 I am married with seven children. 11:24 I got to get out of here. Look, I've got a minute. 11:27 What's going on? 11:29 Well, sir... I first... 11:31 Figured out. 11:33 The mean manager got fired. 11:36 There is now position open. 11:39 You two both decided 11:42 that you are the best for that position. 11:46 Not thinking of anybody else on the planet that can do that. 11:50 You are a bit egotistical, aren't you? 11:52 But wait we... Yeah, alright let me finish. 11:56 Now because of that 11:57 you started on some silly competitive journey. 12:01 So now you're doing things, playing up to Ms Greene, 12:04 doing things that have absolutely 12:06 nothing to do with work. 12:08 Am I wrong? 12:10 Yeah, that sums it up. 12:12 Okay. Well, have fun, guys. 12:14 But where are you going? We came for your help. 12:16 Where are you going? 12:18 If you really wanted help, 12:19 you wouldn't have started this silly competition 12:21 in the first place. 12:24 Competition has no place in the workplace. 12:29 First of all, it takes you away from the goal of the workplace 12:33 which is to accomplish 12:35 whatever it is your team or company 12:36 wants you to accomplish 12:37 and it takes all that energy 12:39 and focuses it on self interests. 12:43 It's a bit selfish, don't you think? 12:46 Well, it didn't seem like it at the time. 12:49 I mean, how did you get 12:51 to where you were going in the first place? 12:53 How did you get here? 12:54 Was it your education? Your family background? 12:57 Was it luck? 12:59 No. 13:01 The person that put you where you are was God, 13:04 and He put you there for special reason 13:06 to do these things that you can do. 13:08 And that's where you should have gone 13:10 looking for answers when the position came open. 13:14 I got to go. 13:16 Wait, we came to you for help. 13:18 If you had wanted help, 13:20 you wouldn't have started this silly competition 13:23 in the first place. 13:25 I've got a date with my wife, so I'm getting out of here. 13:29 Wait, one more question. 13:31 Okay. 13:33 Are you real or are we tripping? 13:38 What do you think? 13:43 I'm real, I was just messing with him. 13:49 Okay, 13:51 Ron and Shayla are feeling a bit ashamed 13:53 of their antics with Ms. Greene. 13:55 Ms. Greene will probably pick the ones 13:57 she feels is the most qualified. 14:00 And the most likely to give her 14:02 the skills and behaviors that she needs. 14:04 She's not buying all this buttering up stuff 14:07 and this fake adoration 14:09 which for the record, will not work 14:11 because she's an experienced manager 14:13 and she can smell fake from a mile away. 14:16 So it's not really going to be affected. 14:18 The only thing it's going to do 14:19 is increase the silliness of the competition 14:22 to preschool levels 14:23 where maybe they'll be buying her lunch 14:25 or bring her cupcakes from home every day. 14:28 Now I would like to share a concept 14:30 that is going to be counterintuitive 14:32 to everything that we've ever been taught 14:34 since grade school. 14:36 But here it goes. 14:37 Be the absolute best at what you do 14:41 then let God take care of the politics. 14:43 First of all, 14:44 there are three areas that are being considered 14:47 when our performance is evaluated by our bosses. 14:51 Now you must be at the top of your game 14:53 in these areas 14:55 to even be thought about as valuable to the team. 14:59 First, there's attendance. 15:02 Now some of you might laugh, 15:03 but this area is the number one disciplinary challenge 15:07 for all companies, in all industries. 15:11 Just trying to get people 15:12 to show up for their work schedule 15:14 on their work day they're supposed to be there, 15:17 be punctual when they do it. 15:19 Simply put, if you want to be viewed as an asset 15:21 to your company 15:22 please, be at work 15:24 when you're supposed to be there. 15:26 And by all means, be on time. 15:28 If you are not already doing this 15:30 rest assured, 15:32 you are probably not being viewed 15:33 as a long-term keeper. 15:35 In fact, your job is as secure as a man skating on thin ice, 15:40 holding a heat lamp at high noon. 15:44 Your personal behavior is also very important. 15:47 No matter how smart and capable you are, 15:50 if you've got some flaws in your behavior 15:52 then your chances of being viewed 15:54 as competitive for a position 15:56 or a raise or surviving a downsizing event, 16:00 they're slim. 16:01 If you have an argumentative reputation with your superiors 16:04 even though you were trying to help, 16:06 they may see that behavior as aggressive 16:08 or even insubordinate. 16:11 If you are doing things that are unethical, unsafe, 16:15 or possibly detrimental in any way to the company, 16:18 they will score your conduct as a less than acceptable. 16:22 Not a good place to be 16:24 if you plan on getting any type of positive reward 16:27 from your place of employment. 16:29 The last area that we're going to talk about 16:31 is actual job performance. 16:34 Now let me ask you a few questions. 16:36 And if you can answer, "Yes" to all of them, 16:38 you might be on the path 16:40 to building a pretty decent job reputation. 16:43 So let's look at clerical duties of paperwork. 16:47 Do you have any clerical 16:49 or administrative paperwork duties? 16:51 And if you do, are they always accurate? 16:55 Are they always on time? Are they clear? 16:58 You know, "The dog ate my homework. 17:00 It wasn't effective in school." 17:01 They will even be less effective at your job. 17:04 What about your job knowledge? 17:06 Do you have superior knowledge 17:08 in the area that you're supposed to be working in? 17:11 Now I'm not saying that you need to do a project 17:14 with a know-it-all attitude, 17:16 I'm saying, if we go do our research, 17:18 are you right when you express how something should be done. 17:22 I mean, can we do our research 17:23 and come back with the same information 17:25 that you already know? 17:27 Working safely is important. 17:30 Whether you work inside or outside, 17:32 do you always work safe? 17:35 Your employer loses money paying workman's compensation 17:39 when an employee is injured on the job. 17:42 If you are observed breaking any of the safety rules, 17:45 your stock, it goes down. 17:48 Are you a team player? 17:50 In an era of extraordinary selfishness 17:53 where the accepted mantra is 17:55 me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me first, 17:58 it is refreshing to find someone 17:59 who's a team player. 18:01 Team players help their teammates 18:03 and put their teams before selfish ambition. 18:07 Do you follow company rules? 18:10 Now most company rules and procedures 18:13 were written for a reason. 18:14 Sometimes, we might not agree with them. 18:17 And hopefully, you can plead your case to someone 18:19 that might be able to modify them. 18:21 However, they are called rules for a reason. 18:24 Please, do not disregard them. 18:27 When someone does ignore them, 18:29 it's usually the beginning of the end for that person. 18:32 Someone that consistently decides to make their own path 18:35 away from company guidelines 18:37 is usually considered dangerous. 18:40 Now the ultimate number one reason, 18:44 you needn't concern yourself with competition is that 18:47 you have a God. 18:48 And you have a God that will give you 18:50 what you pray for, 18:52 provided that he deems it good for you. 18:55 For example, a friend of mine one day, 18:58 she asked me to pray for her 18:59 because she was going to apply for a job 19:02 in a specific company. 19:03 And of course, she knew it was God's will 19:05 because the pay was outstanding. 19:07 And the field was one 19:09 in which my friend was extremely knowledgeable. 19:12 So we did, we prayed together about it. 19:14 Now, let me describe her. 19:15 Smart, articulate, well-mannered, well-dressed, 19:20 well-spoken, you get my drift? 19:22 She was qualified 19:24 maybe even too much so for the position. 19:27 So we felt like God can answer this one. 19:28 So we prayed. Time moved on. 19:31 Here's what happened. 19:33 Later on, she relayed to me that she didn't get the job. 19:36 And I was a little stunned also. 19:38 She might have even believed 19:40 that she was beat out by a competing prospect 19:43 who presented better. 19:46 Well, I don't see how that could have been possible. 19:50 Now here's the moral of the story. 19:52 Eventually, she landed a much better job 19:56 than the one she had applied for. 19:58 See, God was in the whole thing from the beginning. 20:01 God wants you to prosper and be successful. 20:05 The issue is we cannot see what he sees. 20:08 So we must trust that He knows the end from the beginning. 20:12 There's a Bible story that I love 20:14 that encourages me when I need to be reminded 20:17 of how God works. 20:18 Okay, once there was this king of Syria, 20:21 and he was at war with Israel. 20:23 So he told his crew, all his generals, 20:25 his mighty fighting men his plans. 20:27 He said, "Here's what we're going to do. 20:29 We're going to camp out over here 20:31 at this little location, 20:32 we just going to lie and wait here. 20:34 And when the children of Israel come by, 20:37 we're going to ambush them, mash them up." 20:40 I mean, it sounded like a workable plan. 20:43 So they all went out to the spot 20:45 and they laid and wait. 20:47 But the Israelites never showed up. 20:50 So they did it again. 20:52 And again, this happened time and time again. 20:55 So the king gets really angry. 20:57 And he's starting to be suspicious. 20:59 So he ask his folks, he said, 21:00 "Now who is the spy that keeps going over to Israel 21:05 and telling them our plans? 21:07 I want to know who's betraying us." 21:09 It's not going to go well for that person. 21:12 Then one of his servers lets the cat out of the bag, 21:16 he said, "Oh, great king, 21:19 there are no traders here, boss. 21:21 But Elijah, the Prophet who is in Israel, 21:24 he tells the king of Israel 21:26 the words you speak in your bedroom." 21:30 Love that story. 21:32 Now if God can communicate to his person, 21:37 what is said in the bedroom of a mighty king, 21:41 do you think He has the ability to communicate to you 21:44 what happens in meetings and boardrooms 21:46 that you're not in. 21:48 Whoever is competing against you 21:50 is so much less powerful 21:52 than the God you're depending on 21:54 for your success. 21:56 Do you believe He is capable 21:58 of impressing upon your heart 22:00 that your next career move should be here or there? 22:04 Now if you said, yes, 22:05 you already know the secret 22:07 that your success is not based on you 22:09 competitively fighting 22:11 and clawing your way up the corporate ladder. 22:14 I can tell you, if you're connected to God 22:16 and you can hear His voice, 22:19 He will guide you to where you need to be 22:21 so that His blessings can flow through to you. 22:25 If you develop an everyday spiritual connecting routine, 22:31 I absolutely guarantee 22:33 that you'll begin to see some positive changes 22:35 in your work and in your life. 22:38 Okay, point number one. 22:41 Read God's Word. 22:43 Wake up daily and spend time reading God's Word. 22:47 Now not reading it through 22:50 trying to get points on your report card, 22:53 but actually read in areas of promise. 22:56 Read in areas that will give you peace. 22:58 And kind of give you an edge at work. 23:01 Do it first thing in the morning. 23:02 I love doing in the morning. It gets the mind right. 23:05 Do it in lunch. 23:06 Let's say, you're having afternoon meeting, 23:08 grab your promised book or the Bible 23:10 and read some verses to shore up your spirit 23:12 before you go to that meeting. 23:13 I woke up a few days ago. 23:15 I had an incredible business challenge. 23:17 And I had to make a decision with some clients. 23:21 And I was facing some potential competition 23:24 in this business situation. 23:26 It could have affected our revenue position 23:28 for the upcoming year. 23:31 I was going to have to deal with the challenge 23:34 with several clients 23:35 based on whatever decision I made. 23:38 So I remembered facing the worry 23:41 and fear of making a wrong decision. 23:43 And I pulled out my trusty old promise book, 23:46 Isaiah 26: 3 and 4, popped up, it says, 23:49 "You will keep him in perfect peace 23:52 whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." 23:56 "Trust in the Lord forever, 23:58 for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." 24:01 I felt a little better 24:02 and then I read Proverbs 28:5, it said, 24:04 "Those who trust in the Lord will prosper," 24:07 I kept reading in my promise book 24:10 and I found Christ in Matthew 6, 24:11 telling the people, 24:13 "Seek first his kingdom and righteousness, 24:16 and all these things will be added to you as well." 24:20 I had a couple of prayer warriors 24:22 praying also. 24:23 And God showed His hand in that situation. 24:25 Praise Him. 24:28 Pray and listen. 24:31 Pray real prayers. Tell him when you're scared. 24:36 I know many times in church, 24:37 we've heard the Elizabeth in English, 24:40 "Oh, thou who sits high and looks low." 24:43 But God doesn't mind 24:44 if you pray to Him in your natural voice 24:47 and the natural way that you talk. 24:49 It's okay to say, "God, I'm scared." 24:52 It's okay to say, "Oh, man, I'm messed up." 24:56 It's okay, say it to God. 24:58 Because the cute prayers, 25:00 you can leave that for somebody else. 25:02 God already knows everything. 25:04 So let Him hear your petition. 25:06 And then stay long enough to hear his voice 25:09 in your spirit. 25:11 This really, really works. 25:13 In the New Living Translation version of Psalms, 37:3, 25:19 I like to read this, it encourages me. 25:21 And this really is something I want to wake up with 25:24 every day. 25:26 It simply says, "Trust in the Lord, do good. 25:29 And then you will live safely in the land and prosper." 25:35 Let me tell you how 25:36 these beliefs have affected my life several times. 25:40 I'll share one instance. 25:41 Some years ago, 25:43 I was the director of a training department 25:46 in a major Fortune 500 company. 25:50 And mergers were going on, 25:52 and I don't know 25:53 if you really have been caught up in a merger, 25:55 but we merged with another company. 25:58 And the interesting thing is 25:59 when you merge with another company, 26:01 people lose jobs. 26:02 Because you don't need the same amount of people 26:04 that were there to be in the new company. 26:07 So one group of people was let go 26:10 and I was in that lucky group. 26:13 I wasn't worried. 26:14 God had blessed me before 26:15 and He's taking care of me in my entire life. 26:17 So I said, "In a few months, 26:19 I'll be working in somewhere else." 26:21 So a few more months go by 26:23 and I'm not terribly worried, 26:26 but I'm looking for things, 26:29 and I'm believing God's going to take care of me. 26:33 Well, a few more months went by. 26:35 And by now, 26:37 God and I are having some real heart to heart talks. 26:42 In fact, I even tried it out my resume to God. 26:44 I said, "God, when I was in the other company, 26:46 I was having prayers in my office, 26:48 and vice presidents, 26:49 and the higher-ups were coming in, 26:51 and we were sharing Bible scripture." 26:54 Reading your resume to God, yeah. 26:56 And as time went on, 26:57 I really got to the point where I was very, very worried. 27:02 Now here's the interesting thing. 27:04 God had something better for me. 27:07 But I was totally unaware of that. 27:09 Because if the worry set in, 27:11 I wanted to fix things. 27:13 Now here's the thing. 27:15 As I fast forward, a few years later, 27:17 God set it up perfectly 27:19 because what happened was exactly what needed to happen, 27:22 so that it be here right now. 27:25 So, my friends, why spend irredeemable energy 27:29 and vital life force 27:30 trying to climb the company ladder 27:33 when God is showing you that he controls the elevator. 27:36 Remember you may be powerless over what they can do to you 27:40 but they are powerless over what God will do for you. 27:44 Until next time, keep "Working the Dream." |
Revised 2017-08-20