Stepfathers are dads. Sometimes more so than biological ones. My dad entered my life when I was thirteen years old. He is a Vietnam veteran which explains why he wasn’t afraid to marry a woman with a teenage daughter. He is a man of few words, but the words he says are wise, funny, and caring. He is a man of action. He gets things done. When I got my first “real” job after college, I found our biggest point of connection was work. We could spend hours trading stories. As we wrap up Father’s Day 2018, here are some things my dad taught me about work:
Show Up: There are days you don’t want to get out of bed and go to work. Do it anyway. Dad is now retired, but for years he worked for a phone company. One of his responsibilities was repairing business equipment. He used to get a ton of overtime after severe thunderstorms getting switchboards back online because he answered their call for help when his coworkers refused. I observed Dad’s getting-ready-for-work routine first hand when we lived with my parents for a few months while waiting to move into our first house. Dad was always the first one up. He’d shower, put on the uniform, and get coffee. By the time he got to the coffee, I was up and getting ready for work. Looking back on all those moments we crossed paths at the coffee pot, I realize he set an example I still follow today. Get up, get coffee, get hustling.
Ignore Slackers: It doesn’t matter what the other guy is not doing. So one coworker takes five smoke breaks a day, and another one shows up late three times a week. Yes. It’s frustrating, but you reap what you sow. Sometimes these coworkers want you to cover for them and it’s uncomfortable refusing to bend to the peer pressure. Do the right thing. Management often knows more than you think. Maintain good habits: arrive on time, be courteous, get the job done. When you consistently do these things, you stand out from your peers and you advance.
Recognize Your Real Boss: You work for God. He is your provider, not the company. Sometimes the union and the company do not get along; usually at contract negotiation time. Every few years, all of us worried Dad would end up out of a job, but Dad kept going to work and doing his best anyway. By doing this, Dad made me realize I wasn’t working to please my boss, and it weirdly gave me a sense of freedom. Even now, It makes me want to continuously improve my skills, set higher goals, and step out of my comfort zone. Oddly, these are habits managers notice and for which they promote you. Funny how that works, huh?
Take Your Vacation: Once a year Dad took a week off work to fish with his friend. He also took time off to be with Mom. Even if they didn’t go anywhere, he didn’t leave that vacation time on the table. He is retired now, but still spends a week fishing because both rest and maintaining friendships are important. His example motivates me to maintain and strengthen my relationships. It’s okay to take a vacation day and go to lunch with my college roommate, stop working long enough to go away for a week with my husband, and put the laptop down and take our daughter to Target.
Be Generous: For years, Dad ran the sound board at his church. Not because he loves pulling microphone cables and running sound checks, but because they had a need he could fill. Now that he’s retired, he still supports his church both financially and volunteers his time. He helps care for his 90 year old mother-in-law both financially and helps maintain her house. These qualities make Dad one of the most respected men I know. Recently, Dad introduced me to several people at his church. All of them said how much they like and admire him. My response to each was the same, “Hey! Me too!” Isn’t that what all of us want? To do good work and be respected for it? Dad taught me you earn the respect of your coworkers and managers by not only getting your work done, but also by generously helping them get their work done. That’s how you contribute to building a strong team. Thanks, Dad!
What did your dad teach you about work? Do you have a great stepfather? Share your stories here: