Notes for The Oppressed: Toward Resilience

You are a subordinate, an employee in a workplace marred by incompetent or hostile leadership. Hostile, as in the exercise of leadership in ways contrary to reason and good governance, in ways contrary to the common good.

Give sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people; O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man.—Psalm 43

Business, and any service institution, like Mother Nature, abhors a vacuum. Consequently, into the void allowed by ineffective leadership pours egotism and envy. Power plays erupt which further marginalize an already depressed group of workers—junior staff, adjunct or part-time faculty, junior management—who fear loss of opportunity if they speak up for themselves and for those whom they serve.

O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling.—ibid.

Despite the challenges, and they can be very serious and debilitating for those who labour in a toxic environment, there are reasons for hope despite the odds against one being promoted or even valued.

O put thy trust in God; for I will yet give him thanks, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.—ibid.

At the end of the day, one must retain his or her dignity, his or her self respect, his or her reputation for upholding truth and justice. Store up your treasure in heaven (St. Matthew 6:19-21).

Wilt thou not turn again and quicken us, O God? That thy people may rejoice in thee.—ibid.

Training for Resilience

1. remain engaged: you cannot influence others if you detach and wallow in self pity and/or anger, envy and covetousness;
2. don't make it personal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OQHmg0KSPQ
3. do not harbour grudges which blind you to solutions; don't drink the poison expecting the other person to die;
4. look past the pain; if you are suffering unjust treatment, enter into the suffering and understand it as an opportunity to allow Jesus to enter more deeply into your life (2 Corinthians 12:9-11); allow Jesus to take on your struggle (Jesus, I trust in Thee!); Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”—Romans 12:19;
5. focus on real issues; do not be distracted by things beyond your immediate control or influence; use your experiences to discern and/or determine a course of action; refine your discernment by seeking wise counsel; be careful in your choice of consultants; restrict your consultations to finding solutions; never engage in character assassination to effect one's own progress;
6. grow support for the mission of justice; support others on the basis of facts not feelings; insist gently but confidently in meetings and conversations that good ideas, based on intellectual merit and fairness, should be the basis for policy;
7. maintain personal integrity: avoid gossip; assess others' behaviour to determine whether or not you may (or may not) confide in them; keep the results of your assessment to yourself as you select your allies;
8. learn the language of honest diplomacy; decline or avoid involvement in problematic or unjust situations where the risk is you will be guilty by association; avoid contentious behaviour, your own and that of others; avoid the trap of false alliances, alliances that require you to drop your commitment to just and equitable outcomes;
9. cultivate allies based on a shared commitment to truth, justice and the common good; surround yourself with people who will bring out the best in you, and in return offer your very best;
10. widen the prayer circle: believe in intercession; ask others (outside or separate from your workplace) to pray for you, and pray for them; pray for your coworkers; bring every challenge and every joy to God in prayer.

You may seek consolation; instead, seek the Consoler. You may seek the gift; instead, seek the Giver. Entrust all cares to God and seek His mercy.