Encouragement can go a long way in the workplace

Dear Dr. Graham: I’d probably enjoy my work more if it weren’t for my boss. He never compliments me or says anything good about my work, and this really gets me down. How can I keep from getting discouraged in the face of his constant criticisms?

Mrs. D.B.

Dear Mrs. D.B.: Have you noticed how your boss treats others in your workplace? If he’s only singling you out for criticism, then it’s understandable why you’d get discouraged.

But I suspect you aren’t alone; he probably acts like this toward everyone. Unfortunately, some bosses believe that the best way to get people to do their jobs is to criticize them. Apparently, they’re afraid that if they praise them, the workers might grow lazy.

When King Solomon died, his son foolishly refused the advice of those who urged him to reward the people for their hard work — and as a result, the nation split into two warring kingdoms (see 1 Kings 12).

We all need encouragement, and if someone does a good job, they deserve our encouragement.

Your boss, however, probably won’t change — so don’t let his personality get you down. Accept his comments without arguing, and ask God to help you be the best worker you can possibly be. Pray for him also; his attitude may come from his own unhappiness or fear of failure. And if his criticisms never seem fair, it may be time for you to seek another job, as God leads you.