Resources

That’s Not My Problem

Choose roles and act out the following.

JOSEPH (THE BOSS): Gloria, you’re three hours late.

GLORIA: I’m sorry, Joseph. I needed more sleep. My son was sick last night and I didn’t get to bed until really late.

JOSEPH: That’s not my problem.

GLORIA: Then my alarm clock didn’t go off this morning.

JOSEPH: Not my problem.

GLORIA: So, by the time I got ready, I had missed the first bus.

JOSEPH: Again, not my problem.

GLORIA: When I got to the bus stop, I realized I didn’t have any money for the bus fare.

JOSEPH: Still not my problem.

GLORIA: So I missed the second bus because I had to go back home to get the money.

ANTHONY: Hey, sorry to interrupt, but that machine is broken and it’s leaking fluid all over.

JOSEPH: What machine?

ANTHONY: I don’t know what it’s called. But, it’s the one in the back corner by the shelves. Thomas isn’t here today, and he usually runs the machine.

JOSEPH: That’s not my problem.

ANTHONY: So I started using the machine and it got jammed.

JOSEPH: Ugh. That’s not my problem.

ANTHONY: And there’s probably a manual for it, but I don’t know where that is.

JOSEPH: Okay, okay. Both of you, stop! Anthony, Gloria, you solve the problems!

Back to page 98

That Is My Problem

Choose roles and act out the following.

JOSEPH: Anthony, will you call Thomas to find out when he will be back from the client visit? We need more fluid for that machine.

ANTHONY: I knew we’d need fluid. I already went and bought some and took care of filling it.

JOSEPH: What? You didn’t wait for Thomas? I don’t want you breaking the machine again.

ANTHONY: I know all about the machine now. I found the manual, took it home, studied it, and came back and fixed the machine. Now I can take care of things when Thomas is out on customer visits.

JOSEPH: That’s great.

ANTHONY: That’s not all. I made a maintenance schedule for it to prevent future problems.

JOSEPH: Thanks, Anthony. I really appreciate how you have handled this.

ANTHONY: Of course. That’s my problem.

JOSEPH: [To himself] Wow, Anthony has really stepped up. He really paid for himself today.

JOSEPH: Oh, hey Gloria. How did you get here? Angela called and said that she wouldn’t be able to make it to work today because of the bus drivers’ strike. I thought you and Benjamin wouldn’t make it either.

GLORIA: I knew the bus drivers were talking about going on strike, so a couple of days ago I made arrangements with Benjamin to give me a ride in his car if the strike happened.

JOSEPH: It’s great you thought ahead like that.

GLORIA: I also thought the lines at the gas stations might be long today, so I gave Benjamin money and asked if he would mind filling up yesterday before the strike decision was made.

JOSEPH: You had enough money for that?

GLORIA: Yes, I’ve been setting bus money aside, so I used that to pay for gas. Benjamin and I went and picked up Angela and we’re all here.

JOSEPH: Gloria, thank you for anticipating these things. Our customers really need the three of you here today.

GLORIA: Of course, Joseph, that’s my problem.

JOSEPH: [To himself] And I was going to fire her? She is worth three employees today.

Back to page 98

He Is Building a Palace

Choose someone to read the following.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace” (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity [1960], 160).

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How Do I Find a Mentor to Help Me Succeed? (Optional Activity)

Read:A valuable employee knows the rules and expectations of the employer. But there is not always a “company manual” to describe those expectations. And each workplace is different.

Practice:Think about how you might find out the unwritten rules and expectations of a workplace. You may want to ask family members, friends, or group members for their ideas.

Read:Some expectations are just common sense. Others can be observed. But for some, you will need a mentor. A mentor is someone you trust who knows company expectations and rules and would be willing to help you learn.

Practice:Before our next meeting, choose a mentor in your current workplace and ask him or her to help you learn the rules and expectations of the company.

Or describe the type of person you would like to have as a mentor in your future workplace.

Notes