Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FRESH (04/29/21)
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TITLE: Running Ruminations | Previous Challenge Entry
By Corinne Smelker
05/06/21 -
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“Ok, let’s get this going.” I tugged on the two leashes attached to my running belt. In response the ‘twins’ put their noses to the air and began to sniff the whiffs. Aspen and Dakota, my Australian Shepherds, were the best running buddies I’d ever had. We started out slow, pacing ourselves for our daily 10K. The two dogs knew this was not a race against time, just a ‘keep in shape and you guys out of trouble’ run. But it was also my time with the Lord, when I gave Him all my burdens, asked my questions, and listened to the Holy Spirit within for the answers.
My latest question had to do with my new promotion to Program Manager where instead of managing projects, I was managing the people who managed the projects! I had gone through the training, read every blog and forum recommended. But still…
Everyone seemed eager to work with me – everyone except Astrid. I knew she had been angling for the advancement, and it rankled when I earned it since I was a recent transfer to the company. But it was precisely because I was an outsider that I won the promotion.
Aspen and Dakota kept our pace at a steady eight-minute mile, but my thoughts raced ahead as I devised ways to work with Astrid while still letting her know I was her manager. I really wanted to avoid a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan), but in my husband’s vernacular, she was “cruisin’ for a bruisin’.”
“Lord, how do I handle her? She’s a prickly pear. I get that she’s mad. I get it, but I can’t have her affecting the team.”
As the three of us continued our run I played out scenarios in my head. In one Astrid was in my office and I metaphorically threw the book at her. In my mind it didn’t play out well. In another, I laid down the law, and told her I’d be watching her every movement, but that sounded too micro-managery to me, and that definitely was not my style. In a third, I just ignored her. Good for her and me, but not the team.
I knew I had to both spell out expectations and behaviors, whilst at the same time not ‘lording’ it over her. “Lord, help me keep the balance.” I prayed.
“She wants to be heard and understood,” I ‘heard’ in my head/heart/spirit. “She wants to feel valued. She wants to know her opinion counts for something.”
“Ok, I can work with that,” I thought. “Thank you, Lord,” I said.
Later that morning, after my shower, I pulled out my Bible to continue my ‘read the Bible in a year’ devotional. I had to laugh as I read the following scripture: Mean-tempered leaders are like mad dogs; the good-natured are like fresh morning dew. Proverbs 19:12 (MSG)
“OK God, I will be sure to be in a sunny mood when I get to work today!”
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