Surviving Poor Management 18: Don’t Canker Your Soul

This continues our series on how to survive poor management at work and grow

Saul had his own very successful business for more than 20 years. He decided to give something back to the world in his later years. He went to work for a nonprofit organization using his skills to improve the populations of third world countries. Unfortunately, the organization suffered from some very poor management. Saul experienced a lack of support and forced to work a lot of overtime. He tried to get relief from upper management, but was ignored. He let the problem canker his soul. He became bitter and angry. Today, almost 15 years after retiring, he still gets angry and tells relations and others about his horrible experience with poor management.

Do Not Suffer as a Victim

We work with thousands of people every year who feel compelled to repeatedly share the story of how they were misused or neglected by management . The need to inform people of how they were wronged by poor managements creates a victimization. They cannot move beyond the tragic events to improve their lives.

A speaker  recently  told how, when we allow perceived injustices to fester, they injure us more than those we blame. He encouraged us to follow Christ’s teachings and forgive those whose management makes our life harder.

Pray for Them That Despitefully Use You

The speaker cited Jesus Christ’s words from Luke 6:27-28 (King James Translation)

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”

The effort to “pray for those who despitefully use you”, to wish them well instead of ill, lifts the heart. It brightens the countenance. Victor Frankel highlighted the beneficial impact on prisoners of war who found a way to forgive their jailers. Letting go of hurts is not the same as ignoring them. You must process your feelings through the anger and hurt—to let them go—until you feel better. 

Monday we begin closing this series with concluding observations and examples

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