Out with jealousy, in with team spirit

The daily report for our sales team showed I had achieved the highest revenue in our department—again. Our sales force has always had a healthy, competitive spirit, and I enjoy working as part of our team of eight.

So my spirits drooped when I overheard my fellow team members whispering about my success.

“She’s been given all the best accounts,” Roger said.

“We should speak to the manager,” Tim suggested.

Instead of being thrilled by my achievement, I felt hurt and ashamed by my co-workers' responses.

Still, I was determined to plod on with my sales goals. By the end of the month, I had earned a sizeable bonus and a mountain bike.

Once again, whispers began. How childish they are, I thought to myself. But I was miserable.

Before going to bed one night, I decided to tackle my work frustrations with prayer. I first read Science and Health six years ago, and since then I've found that prayer helps me see solutions to difficult situations. My study of Christian Science, as explained in this book, allows me to understand that everyone is a perfect reflection of God's ever-present love and goodness.

To me, prayer is about facing myself honestly and seeing what in my thinking doesn’t quite add up with God’s view. I soon that I had to answer some tough questions: When was the last time I spoke kindly to Roger, Tim and the others? Was I doing my part for office harmony? Was I was blaming the others for the way I felt?

I wanted to see my team members the way God sees us—not as disgruntled and undervalued, but as cooperative, joyous, productive. And I wanted to regain my peace on a more spiritual level. Science and Health’s author, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote, “Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.”

I thought more about my sales efforts. I conducted my work with honesty and sincerity—and joy couldn’t be absent from the reward I received for good, honest work.

But where was the love? I wanted to express more love to my co-workers. Love is, after all, a vital component of a God, who is Love.

The next morning, I reminded myself of my prayer and made it a goal to see my co-workers with genuine affection and consideration. For the first time in over a month, I felt concerned about our team spirit. I realized I should give more attention to the success of others, rather than focusing on my own sales records.

I decided I would share my sales strategies with two newer colleagues, who were finding the work difficult. I invited them to listen in on some of my calls, and they accepted my offer. Happiness all around.

Then Roger arrived. I stopped my work and wished him a good morning. He smiled—the first smile I’d seen in a long while. I learned he had just accepted a promotion in another department—a job he’d been working toward for some time.

Later, he confided in me that sometimes he would get a little jealous of my achievements, as he was the top sales rep until I came along. I appreciated his honesty and we both wished each other continued success.

I see Roger now and then as we pass each other at work. He always stops to say a few kind words. My sales figures are still high, but the envy and jealousy have gone. I’m grateful for the reminder to be unselfish, to cherish Love’s expression and to see joy and progress as available to everyone.

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