Faith At and Faith In Work

It's the beginning of the New Year, and I'm finding that the conversations are enthusiastic after a nice break. The holiday provided time for rest and time for reflection. People are ready to again experience success and optimism.

Our dear friend, Randy Hain, has written a book - The Catholic Briefcase (you can purchase it at Amazon). Randy is a strong and faithful Roman Catholic and I am not -- good Scot Irish Presbyterian here, and still I found it an important read. As the back cover states, "Randy takes his faith to work". I do, too, and so do many, actually most of you. Frankly, it seems to me that it is impossible to come to work with less than our whole selves - whether we give voice to it or not.

The question for us on the People Side of Business, is what do we do with that faith when we do show up at work. One of the seeming benefits of this difficult economic time is that as folks have leaned into their own faith, they have been more willing to share their own story and to ask about yours. As HR folks, this can feel very comforting and helpful and it can also cause concerns about respect, conflict and legalities. It's a thin line between sharing a story and not stepping on toes.

My grandparents came up in time when business people of faith quietly took care of others. They didn't talk faith, they "did" faith. Perhaps there is part of an answer in their approach. This quiet caring and sense of corporate responsibility is one of the reasons that I love metro Atlanta and "its Atlanta Way" of taking care of this community.

Certainly leading by example and being good stewards is a personal place to begin (both topics are covered in Randy's book). We want to be intentional in showing our faith story, not just talking about it.

Our HR and business magazines often discuss religiosity run amok in the workplace, but certainly there is a hunger for real dialogue. We have to figure out how and when.

Of course, Randy (and me and many of you) would say it starts with prayer. Getting focused within yourself about your role in the workplace, opening yourself up to being a role model and a leader - brave and true- that you are called to be. Creating opportunities where people can bring the "whole of them" into the workplace....

I'd love to hear what you think.....

Wishing you Peace and Joy and Love in the New Year.