A Woman and Her Workplace by Rosemary Flaaten
It might seem kind of odd that I am reviewing a book about women and the workplace. Yes, I do agree that it is a bit different that as a man I am blogging about a book concerned about women. Yet, I see the difficulty, frustration, joy, and attitude that it takes in the life of my wife being a music teacher. The first thing I noticed about Rosemary's book is that she does not sugar coat the issues that frequently come up in the workplace; there is not always an easy way to fix a problem nor is that possible sometimes. At one point after bearing witness to the radical effects of the fall, she says, "Toxic relational issues, caused by our sin as well as the sin of others, permeate our workplace and threaten to erode our relational bridges" (22). These relational bridges being built upon the biblical mandate to love God and others can falter due to the corrosion of sinful ideas, hearts, and more importanly actions. Yet, Rosemary indicates that the corrective measures and solutions taken against the corrosive nature of sin have to be acted upon, not just given lip service. This point was particularly insightful to me in talking with my wife and the subject of curriculum My wife is focused on teaching the curriculum that has been outlined by the state in order that her kids not only have a cognitive grasp of music but a practical outworking of that knowledge through instruments. In her discussions with other teachers, there is sometimes a breakdown of communication in the way that the curriculum should be taught and what is best for the students. In some ways, it is a matter of realizing that we don't have all the answers as such, and that following the curriculum actually keeps the process of learning going.
Although there are many great things I could focus on, I will narrow in on one particular thing that Rosemary focused on that is revolutionary for the workplace. In her chapter entitled "I'm the Boss," she talks more specifically about having a vision for people in saying, "Having a vision for people comes from the core belief that God has started something good in each of us and that He is going to continue to work in us until it is completed (Philippians 1:6)" (113). We often want people to change for our own benefit right now and the way we see best for them to change. As Rosemary quotes from Larry Crabb on the same page "We accept people for who they are." The rule change agent in the workplace or at home is God himself. We are in the business in the workplace of offering encouragement, challenge, comfort, and understanding even if things are going exactly as planned. As the chapter continues through pages 115-116 Rosemary offers ways of being with employees who are sanguine, choleric, melancholy and differing temperaments. The takeaway for me when reading these passages is that we are not supposed to treat employees like barnyard animals and throw them food and bark at them. Rather, we treat our employees as human beings created by God and thus they are intrinsically valuable. Yet, each person is wired differently. Another way of putting it is that we treat others with an empathetic spirit, with the ability to listen to others without immediate critiques.
Rosemary Flaaten written a practical book about women and the workplace. She provides a focus on the God of the Bible as being the one we are accountable. She also uses the Scriptures as a vehicle to lay a foundation for the way we are to act to our employees. I think this book is a great help to those struggling with tough bosses, critical employees, or those just wanting to live out the gospel among those they work with.
It might seem kind of odd that I am reviewing a book about women and the workplace. Yes, I do agree that it is a bit different that as a man I am blogging about a book concerned about women. Yet, I see the difficulty, frustration, joy, and attitude that it takes in the life of my wife being a music teacher. The first thing I noticed about Rosemary's book is that she does not sugar coat the issues that frequently come up in the workplace; there is not always an easy way to fix a problem nor is that possible sometimes. At one point after bearing witness to the radical effects of the fall, she says, "Toxic relational issues, caused by our sin as well as the sin of others, permeate our workplace and threaten to erode our relational bridges" (22). These relational bridges being built upon the biblical mandate to love God and others can falter due to the corrosion of sinful ideas, hearts, and more importanly actions. Yet, Rosemary indicates that the corrective measures and solutions taken against the corrosive nature of sin have to be acted upon, not just given lip service. This point was particularly insightful to me in talking with my wife and the subject of curriculum My wife is focused on teaching the curriculum that has been outlined by the state in order that her kids not only have a cognitive grasp of music but a practical outworking of that knowledge through instruments. In her discussions with other teachers, there is sometimes a breakdown of communication in the way that the curriculum should be taught and what is best for the students. In some ways, it is a matter of realizing that we don't have all the answers as such, and that following the curriculum actually keeps the process of learning going.
Although there are many great things I could focus on, I will narrow in on one particular thing that Rosemary focused on that is revolutionary for the workplace. In her chapter entitled "I'm the Boss," she talks more specifically about having a vision for people in saying, "Having a vision for people comes from the core belief that God has started something good in each of us and that He is going to continue to work in us until it is completed (Philippians 1:6)" (113). We often want people to change for our own benefit right now and the way we see best for them to change. As Rosemary quotes from Larry Crabb on the same page "We accept people for who they are." The rule change agent in the workplace or at home is God himself. We are in the business in the workplace of offering encouragement, challenge, comfort, and understanding even if things are going exactly as planned. As the chapter continues through pages 115-116 Rosemary offers ways of being with employees who are sanguine, choleric, melancholy and differing temperaments. The takeaway for me when reading these passages is that we are not supposed to treat employees like barnyard animals and throw them food and bark at them. Rather, we treat our employees as human beings created by God and thus they are intrinsically valuable. Yet, each person is wired differently. Another way of putting it is that we treat others with an empathetic spirit, with the ability to listen to others without immediate critiques.
Rosemary Flaaten written a practical book about women and the workplace. She provides a focus on the God of the Bible as being the one we are accountable. She also uses the Scriptures as a vehicle to lay a foundation for the way we are to act to our employees. I think this book is a great help to those struggling with tough bosses, critical employees, or those just wanting to live out the gospel among those they work with.
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