Review: The Job by Craig Davis

ISBN #: 978-0-9829567-0-0

Page Count:130

Copyright: 2009

About the Author:

(Taken from back cover)

After earning bachelor's and graduate degrees at the University of Missouri, Craig Davis toiled for 20 years at newspapers, and has spent a lifetime in biblical scholarship.  An amateur musician, he was once wrestled to the ground by a set of bagpipes.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Joe B. enjoys the sweet life as a vice president at Universal Whirligig.  Then one day he arrives at his job only to find he's been demoted to the mail room, with no explanation or warning.  Joe B. downsizes his hope right into the circular file as he tries to meet with the Big Boss, and receives advice from some of the worst friends ever.  The Job tells a modern parable of ancient troubles and truths.

My Review:

The first thing I noticed when I began reading this was the naming of the various offices within the main character's company, Universal Whirligig.  The naming of the various offices, and company itself, was generic, exaggerated and humorous all rolled into one.  For example, the main character's office was named the Development of International Integration of Core Technological Orientation (Emerging Nations Division).  This office sounds believable, but it also sounds slightly ridiculous which, in itself, is humorous.

As I continued to read and get into the story itself, I started realizing that there were subtle messages in this story.  Messages that intermingle with each other and that we all could apply to our own careers. 

The most obvious is the fact that we all have Big Bosses who make decisions we don't understand.  Sometimes, those decisions affect us or someone we know.  If they do affect us, many times we don't understand why.  Our job is not to question the Big Boss.  Instead, our job is to do our job ... to the best of our abilities.  The Big Boss does see all of his/her employees whether those employees realize it or not.  It seems like a 'Big Brother' situation, but it's true.  And, if we continue to do our job to the best of our abilities, the Big Boss (or Bosses in some cases) will notice it and good things will happen. 

Herein lies another message ... we should always do our jobs to the best of our abilities ... despite our confusion, our despair, our anger, etc.  Doing your job the best of your abilities will make the company look good, yes, but it will also give you a sense of satisfaction and self-worth whether you realize it or not.  So what that there are bumps along the road (and I'm speaking to myself as well as you), those are to be expected in every area of life ... we just need to keep pressing on and doing what's right.

Now we come to the third message ... No matter how you feel, you should always treat people with respect and dignity.  Yes, you might get aggravated at a co-worker or customer.  That doesn't mean it gives you permission to treat them rudely.  You never know what people are going through in their personal/professional lives so it's always best to be understanding and patient.  Yes, this may take some practice and you may not get it right away, but keep trying.  Treating people with kindness will make you feel better about yourself too.  Besides ... what goes around, comes around right?  One day, you're going to be the person aggravating a co-worker or vendor ... don't you want them to treat you with kindness and respect?

I'm amazed that I gathered so much from such a little book ... more than I expected to.  I really think it would benefit most, if not all, people to read this book ... just for the enlightenment it'll bring as you're reading.