Mary Ogolla is a young proffesional; often analytical of the situations that life throws at us against the background of Gods word.

Is it just me?
 
Or is everyone else just not seeing my point of view?
 
I’m sitting in a meeting and my greatest concern is the fact that the project under discussion does not have any tangible output in terms of numbers. As I go over what I think needs to get done, my thoughts stray into an analysis of my colleagues.
 
Michael has been able to successfully take us through the whole thought process of the project - that's his forte. Michelle, on the other hand, has not said a single thing since we started. I guess we all know where to place her: she will be our contact person - the face behind the project. She’s outgoing and charming, extremely good with interpersonal relationships. Debbie will be the project coordinator - she will be able to get the job done, even though it means stepping on a few people’s toes…
 
So how do I go from here?
 
I could press on until all I want is incorporated into the project, but then I would be a dictator (it’s a team project) or I could just let things sail along and hope for the best, without having to say “I told you so” should things not work out in the future.
 
You see, Debbie, Michelle and Michael have outstandingly different personality temperaments. Debbie can be intimating with her excellent leadership skills and coordination ability, although her interpersonal skills are wanting. Michelle is good at motivating the team and getting people going. However, she easily looses focus of what we are trying to achieve. Michael can de trusted to get the job done. He’s extremely resilient and committed to the team. However, if faced with an unknown challenge, he will be indecisive.
 
When I was young, I wanted to be like Michelle- the cool thing then was to be the popular kid who had lots of friends! Because I was not like her, I was unhappy and possibly even jealous. In my late teenage years and early adulthood, Michael was the man to be. He organized for concerts, retreats and sleepovers and always seemed to do it without a sweat! Now in the corporate world, if you are not Debbie, there’s no chance of climbing up the ladder, or so it seems.
 
Which brings me to my big question – what’s the way forward? Do we have to keep changing our personalities to remain relevant?
 
My thoughts are drawn to some facts that have stood the test of time, and over the years have become a real foundation. Firstly, before the foundations of the earth were laid out, God knew us. The psalmist says that before we were knit in our mother’s womb, all our days were before Him. What great comfort knowing that we are exactly the way God intended, regardless of our temperament- that we are created in HIS image! You have probably heard that before but it’s as true as truth can be.
 
Secondly, God has created us to be relevant. Our strengths come out better in certain environments than others and hence each of us having different gifts and talents. He does expect us to work on our weaknesses and has given us the Holy Spirit to enable us to do this. We are able to have the fruit of the Holy Spirit when we let him dwell within – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
 
Trust me, these are qualities you need in your life regardless of what temperament you are!
 
 

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