Not The Mouse

It was my first week on a new job in a new city in a new state. I’ve worked for dozens of companies in as many geographic locations, so being new wasn’t foreign to me, though it was mildly uncomfortable as it would be for anyone I suppose. It was early morning, and I was at the coffee machine waiting for my first of the day when two co-workers entered the kitchen with their own cups in hand. We exchanged pleasantries as we waited for the coffee maker to complete its’ brewing cycle.

Every business office, sports team or parent teacher group has its’ own politics, personalities, competitions, pet peeves, and curiosities that come along with the skills, talents, and strengths of its’ employees, team mates, or members. My approach to getting acquainted with a new office is to work hard, and keep my mouth closed (as much as possible) until I learn who is who and what is what.

There were circumstances of my employment that could create interpersonal turbulence among my co-workers if handled indelicately. California, my home state, is not the most respected of origins among the citizens of my new residence and occupation. Overqualified for my new position, I had previously acquired business experience beyond that of my co-workers. Almost all of my experience was in international business, banking, customs, and transportation. None of my colleagues had business experience in the international sector. Additionally, I was hired by the business owner to launch and develop its’ international division, which might give someone the idea that I thought highly of myself if I handled my day-to-day office dealings carelessly. I was also a Christian and an ordained pastor. In California, that always became a speed bump for me. So, pleasantries were just fine for conversation as far as I was concerned.

The coffee machine, announcing that it had completed brewing everyone’s daily fix, hissed, spit and sputtered loudly. Since I was first at the machine, the guys let me pour first. As I moved aside for them to fill their mugs and add sugar and creamer, one of them asked me a slightly loaded question about our mutual employer. Since I’d been around a bit and had worked for some well-known outfits, didn’t I think that my work was cut of for me at this place, it being so small and behind the times in comparison – or words to that effect.

Sensing a moment to exercise caution, I didn’t respond quickly – I wanted to think through my response to avoid saying the right thing poorly. Before I could arrive at what I thought would be a carefree, respectful response to their question, our mutual employer strolled into the kitchen with his coffee cup in hand and exchanged greetings with us all. Then he told me that he’d overheard the question asked of me and thought my response would be interesting, please go ahead and share.

Having resolved my response in the interim, I responded with my honest assessment of the company’s strengths, its’ position in the local and national domestic freight forwarding market, its’ existing customer base, and national network of business partners that could all be leveraged to connect with foreign business partners. Accomplishing the objective of my employment would indeed be challenging, but one that I felt I could achieve, and one that I thought would be rewarding and satisfying if I were successful. I told my boss thanks again for giving me the opportunity. We again exchanged pleasantries and went in different directions to our respective offices and cubicles.

I had avoided the potential land mine in the question, but still had the nagging sense that the timing of the question, right before the boss came in, was more deliberate than coincidental. A poor response in front of two co-workers, (who, as it turned out, were each departmental managers), would not have been good, but in front of the boss had the potential to destabilized my relationship with him going forward. Moreover, I felt that my faith in Jesus was being scrutinized by my two co-workers more than my business skills. Thank the Lord that I had held my words for an extra couple of beats.

I couldn’t let it rest and I seriously wanted to make the “Christian” aspect of my situation clear to my new co-workers. I found the opportunity to do so later the same day at the end of our lunch break when all three of us ran into each other again in the break room, returning items to the refrigerator, filling water bottles, or pouring more coffee. I told them that their question, and the timing of their question, seemed leading to me and, maybe, pre-planned. They laughed, and nodded, and elbowed each other – just a fun trick on you, new guy – and chuckled some more. I laughed too and said I thought it was funny. Then I told them what had been on my mind.

“Christians often face the same difficulties that everyone else faces, but we often have more at stake than non-believers do. If we act or speak poorly, we not only humiliate ourselves we also dishonor the Lord by misrepresenting Him to the unsaved around us. Fortunately, Jesus is faithful to help us navigate our way, and I will remember, going forward, that my relationship with you two is like a cat and mouse game.”

They both laughed and smiled giddily, obviously enjoying their prank at my expense and my reaction.

“What I’d like you to remember is that I am not the mouse,” I said.

Their smiles changed to contemplative frowns and their faces to thoughtful curiosity.

Apparently, I don’t know any short stories. So, I told you this long story to talk about leadership. Most people, including Christians, don’t think of themselves as leaders and don’t want to, which is unfortunate for them because Christians who have learned to follow Jesus are immediately qualified and commissioned leaders capable of leading anyone to Jesus. You can’t be a Christian leader without being an effective follower, and you can’t be an effective follower without being a leader, either on purpose, or by accident.

If we’re not leading on purpose, we’re leading by accident. Do you swear? Do you drink alcohol? Do you tell off colored jokes? Do you speak poorly of your employer? Do you complain about your government? Do you speak poorly of others? Do you wish for what you don’t have? Are you given to anger? Self-pity? Greed? Lethargy? Self-reliance? In any behavior that I practice, godly or otherwise, I am leading others to follow along and giving unbelievers the idea that Jesus condones my behavior. Think of the things you do when you are not leading. Many Christians feel it’s fine to participate in questionable behavior since they are not “leaders.” Those same Christians often speak harshly if they happen to observe a Christian leader behaving questionably. Be careful pointing fingers, as the saying goes.

The wisdom and benefits of leading on purpose are self-evident and timeless. The guys in the kitchen at my work learned several important things about Jesus by playing a prank on me. The few minutes I took to humble myself and address our morning interaction taught them that Jesus is alive today and helps his followers navigate the perils of daily living. They learned that Christians care enough about unbelievers that they don’t get mad when treated unkindly. They learned that Christians are humble and take the time to bring clarity to a situation that could easily fester if not resolved correctly. They also learned that Christians are not wimps with no resources or direction. And Christians, regardless of circumstances, are doing their best to be faithful followers of Jesus – even when it’s hard, or weird. All that from one loaded question.

The example above is of co-workers and me, but we can all lead at work, even if we aren’t in church or business leadership. But, isn’t family much more important than work? What does your walk with Jesus say about Jesus to those you love? I hope you’ll be increasingly aware and increasingly intentional with regard to your leadership style in the coming months and years. I will.

And please remember, you are not the mouse.

Peace on the Path