Proverbs 22:29: You Do Your Job BUT Do You Make a Difference?

Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
— Proverbs 22:29 (NIV)

The modern workplace is full of reliable, steady individuals. They are content to provide solid output and dependable service.

It is good to honor people who do honest work to receive fair pay and benefits. For them, work is a part of life, but not a life calling. Their income simply supports their personal goals and passions.

Managers should recognize these employees. They should provide them with reasonable challenges and fair compensation without pressuring them for a lack of professional drive. Take care of these steady workers, because they are the foundation of a stable business—just don’t let them stagnate (stop growing or developing).

The “But I Did My Job!” Mindset

Occasionally, you will find employees who believe that keeping their heads down and doing the bare minimum is enough. They do their jobs and provide predictable results, but they are confused when they get passed over for promotions or receive small pay raises.

They often protest this with, “But I did my job!” They fail to see that the reward for “just doing your job” is simply a paycheck, not a promotion.

To advance and excel, you must go beyond the basic job description. All workers—especially knowledge workers (people whose jobs involve handling information)—must be engaged with their work and its impact on the organization.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Consider how you would answer the following questions:

• In what specific ways do you bring value to your company, customers, and work group?
• Are you content with knowing the bare minimum about your work tools, or do you strive to become a power user?
• Do you complain about inefficiencies, or do you meet with managers to suggest practical solutions?
• Are you active in professional organizations and reading industry news to expand your skills?
• Do you cooperate with other teams, or do you protect your turf and complain about others?

Excuses vs. Ownership

I have heard all the common excuses:

• “The company won’t pay for my professional memberships.”
• “I’m not paid to read books or articles outside of office hours.”
• “The company doesn’t pay me enough to be fully engaged.”
• “They won’t pay for me to take classes to learn new software.”

If you limit yourself with excuses, don’t be surprised when your managers ignore your complaints. Your professional development is your own responsibility. Only you can increase your value in the job market.

The time you invest in learning new business skills and industry knowledge will be repaid. You will see results through promotions, job offers from other companies, or even by starting your own business.

Don’t just do your job. Focus on making a real difference in your organization and career.