Ever wondered how people become so good at their job? Richard Templar (2003) (probably a pen name) explains how to be successful at your job and eventually get promoted. in this book The Rules of Work.
Summary of book
I'm going to break one of the rules of the book, by revealing that I have read the book. This book basically sets many guidelines to follow if one wants to get noticed for good performance at work.
The good
The best message from the book is this-- you do not need to be a backstabbing lunatic to be ahead in your job. While the book encourages you to be wary of your bosses, colleagues and surbordinates, it preaches against being paranoid. Just lead an honest and hardworking life, watch your mouth and emails, and things will be alright.
Furthermore, the book encourages good habits such as praising the good work of others and focusing on one's own strengths, and discourages bad habits such as gossiping, lying and flattery.
The bad
Despite it being a good book on work, there are things I take issue with. Firstly, it encourages a sort of passive showing-off. This seems to blackmail the boss (or put the boss in a pressurising position) to promote the worker.
Secondly, it uses certain British terms and references (despite having the copy of the International edition) without explaining some of them. This can be quite foreign to people who are unfamiliar with the culture of the United Kingdom.
But what about the Christian Rules of Work?
Well, if there was a Christian ethics of work, it would be largely similar to what Richard Templar has written, but with the addition of an underlying motivation.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." -- Colossians 3:23-24
While the Bible does not provide a list of do's and don'ts, it provides some overarching principles. The most important one is to work, as if working for God. In other words, we do our best in our work not because of the rewards we will receive, but as a response for what God has done for us.
Conclusion
This book is great for those who are about to work. But if think about WHY you want to do so. I give this book a 89/100.
For reading
Templar. R. (2003). The Rules of Work.
