One of these days, we read an interesting article from an anthropologist, entitled The enemy is out there!

The theme was corporate competitiveness. And it contained a warning regarding the lack of teamwork among employees.

 Instead of uniting to plan market strategies, conquer new segments and integral growth, one department endeavored to evidence the faults of another.

Instead of planning strategies to improve corporate performance, employees would spend all their energy on gathering data and creating charts, graphics and statistics to defeat their colleagues.

Everyone was worried only with themselves, with showing off, with pointing their own efficiency and the failures of others.

Time that should be used to improve customer support and enhance quality was wasted on gossiping, setting up traps and making the colleague's work more difficult.

Instead of trying to create a healthy, productive environment and a friendly coexistence, plans were though out to destroy coworkers.

Naturally, a company with such employees is in dire straits. It has serious problems regarding its clients, quality, logistics and distribution in all areas.

While the company's performance is consistently negative, compromising jobs, careers, roles and salaries, the employees are busy fighting their peers.

They look for errors in others instead of correcting their own mistakes.

The paper concluded that ending internal disputes is essential, as they are contagious and affect everyone.

Lastly, it reminded that the supposed enemy is not inside the company. The adversary is the competitor. And union is necessary to achieve superior quality and triumph.

*   *   *

Although concerning profit and material growth, the case discussed immediately reminded us of the words from our Celestial Friend: the house divided against itself shall not stand.

Jesus, the Teacher of teachers, established guidelines for the happiness of human beings.

They apply to life in all its nuances. They also apply to issues of progress and well being of the individual and the collective.

Excellent for all times, whoever follows the rules of the Nazarene will achieve inner peace, serenity in the face of difficulties and happiness.

He will spread tranquility wherever he is. As a professional, he will be an efficient collaborator, always striving to perform at his best.

He will be the one prioritizing support, kindness, companionship. Always ready to help his superiors, his subordinates or his peers, without trying to defeat anyone.

At home he is the one who serves, worries about the others, striving to exercise the agape love.

In society he is the one acting for the good of all, aware that no one can live by himself.

And that all of us, in this home called Earth, are members of a single family that should be united by the bonds of love.

Spiritist Moment Team, based on the article O inimigo está lá fora, by Luiz Marins, published in Voe Trip magazine, year 22,  april 2010 and on the website http://www.marins.com.br/, containing an excerpt from chapter 12, verse 25 from The Gossip according to Matthew.
October 25.2010.