Sorry no Q&As this week. Alternatively, I would like to pontificate on the topic of showing grace in the workplace. After just returning from the awe-inspiring U2 concert in Seattle, I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by Bono and the band’s sheer passion for the plight for human dignity in every day living.
While going for a run in the dry canyon in Redmond my iPod blared out an unfamiliar melodic sound of U2’s song Grace that I had never heard before. I marinated with every lyric.
Grace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name
Grace
It’s a name for a girl
It’s also a thought that changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything
Grace
She’s got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She’s got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear her strings
Grace finds beauty in everything
Hearing this song and really listening to the lyrics got me thinking why we don’t show more grace in the workplace? What a wonderful world it would be if there was one less “I told you so,” one less passing the buck or CYA maneuver. Can’t we give each other a bye? Show a bit more tolerance for the learning process that propagates creativity instead of deflating the masses with insidious comments and jockeying for position in the corporate world. Stop the seagull management where you fly in, sh*t on everyone and then leave others to clean up the mess.
As Bono would tell us, lets walk with compassion, show a little grace and rejoice in the moment. Bono is eloquent in his sermonizing of how to live daily life and what a joyous playground it would be if we infused these basic human concepts into our workplaces. Before you get ready to throw your co-workers under the bus, remember to show a little grace.
The dictionary uses such words as courtesy, decency, good manners politeness, decorum, respect, and tact. Also favor, approval, approbation, acceptance, esteem, regard, respect, goodwill. Generosity, kindness, blessing, prayer of thanksgiving and benediction. Let’s get back to a place where we demonstrate these attributes with those we work with and spend most of our time.
I hope this article sparks a reaction to a show a little grace in your workplace. In Bono’s lyrical prose, “One life, but we’re not the same, we get to carry each other, carry each other.” Amen.
Julie Leutschaft, MPA, MHA is the CEO and owner The HUMAN Touch – Central Oregon Human Resources Consulting firm. Visit us at www.thehumantouchhr.com.
