Transparent Christian Magazine

My brother Jeff is probably smarter than you. He graduated in the top 10% of his high school class, aced almost every college course he’s ever taken. He can wire your house, sweat your copper, move your wall, change your alternator (while discussing string theory), and fix your lawn mower. When he’s finished he can cook you some amazing quiche or homemade soup from scratch and for desert he can play a full concert for you. He plays about 20 instruments and most of them well, and his musical knowledge and taste ranges from punk, bluegrass folk and rock, to Jazz, blues, Appalachian ‘fiddle tunes’ and Scottish/Irish music. He is a voracious reader, and if you want to argue with him you better have your facts together.

He recently got a new job. It was another strategic move, in a long line of great career moves. He has gone from a grocery department manager, to bank teller, to a gas station manager, office administrator, business analyst, and grew that job into a quality assurance analyst then quality assurance manager at a medical software company. After 5 years and multiple promotions, including ‘software change control manager’ and recently contract writer/editor he landed at a consulting firm specializing in Microsoft Technology. One benefit with the new job is that he knocked 54 minutes off of his 60 minute commute (and we can have lunch together once in awhile!)

There were several good candidates up for the new gig and when he asked the owner why she chose him, she said something like “It was a close decision. The other person had more technical skills than you; however I knew I could put you in a room with my CEO clients for days and never have a problem. Your ‘soft skills’ are excellent, and that’s what won this job for you.”

What she was saying was that it was MORE important that he was able to build relationships than have the specific and relevant technical knowledge (“we can teach you that” she said). This is a technical consulting company but the ability to communicate was worth more than the technical knowledge!??!

I’m happy to report that God looks at us much the same way! It’s great to read your bible, and learn the heart of God, and I recommend it. Just remember God didn’t choose 12 pastors to spread the gospel, he chose normal people… Fishermen, tax collectors, tradesmen… you and me. I still don’t know enough scripture to argue with a scholar, but I know the heart of God. This is my plan to get to know His Heart better:

1. Work hard on my relationship with God, and subsequently myself (with study and fellowship)
2. Share that work with others by telling folks what I’m learning or what God is showing me.
3. Build relationships by serving others without strings attached or expectations
4. Pray with and for people whenever I have the opportunity

Congratulations Jeff on your new job. And like you, I plan on getting to the next level of ‘my walk’ by utilizing my soft skills.

Anyone care to join me?
Jason