Corporate America has seen nearly two decades since Andy Pearson wrote his Harvard Business Review article; Muscle Building. The premise of that article was that organizations should, every year, evaluate their people and cut out the 10% fat that exists so that more muscle could be built. Organizations big and small adopted this approach and High Performers became superstars and mediocre performers were moved out of the company. We are told in Proverbs that this performance based evaluation has been around a long time. In Proverbs 22:29, Solomon says, “Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.” If we want to work for the best people and companies we are told to be able to meet and exceed the work that is put in front of us. In this ever-changing world we live in to remain competent means also to keep our skills and knowledge current. We have a promise that if we remain competent we will work for better people (and better people are known for making others around them better). If today you are frustrated by who you work for or you feel you are not being recognized for what you do, it might be time to look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are doing all that you can do to meet and exceed the definition of competent for the best managers in your company. And if not, then what do you need to learn or do to win confidence and favor in their eyes? And, if you are already striving and working to be competent and better, then just sit tight for as the Proverb says. “…are there any competent workers?” The question is asked because there aren’t enough people who are always willing to do whatever it takes to better themselves. The promise is there, those who are will be the people who will be noticed and they won’t end up working for ordinary people over time…they will work for the best of the best…they will work for kings.

Reference: Proverbs 22:29 (New Living Translation).