The Wisdom of Silence
It was the third week of January 1996. I had just returned from a mission trip in India and was expecting to start a new job as the vice president of human resources. I had never worked as an employee of a for-profit company, and I was about to start my business career as an executive in a field I didn't know and in an industry I knew nothing about. Then I got the unexpected call that my job offer was being rescinded because while I was in India the company had been sold.
I was told not to worry because the president and CFO of the acquired company had recommended me as a consultant to the acquiring company. My job was to fly to headquarters and put together a merger plan for these two companies. I was to facilitate the executive discussion around merging the workforce, the benefit plans, the employee handbooks, and the culture. Did I mention that I had never worked in a public company? That I had no idea what I was doing?
I arrived in Columbus, Ohio and faked my way through a dinner conversation with the general counsel of the acquiring company and their vice president of administration, and then nervously awaited the next morning, when I would meet with executives from both companies to discuss the human resource strategy for the combined company.
By this time in my life I had read the book of Proverbs dozens of times. I can't say that this verse was memorized, but it was my guiding principle for what was about to happen.
“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
I was introduced by the general counsel, and I proceeded to the whiteboard, picked up a marker, and started asking questions. I knew the smartest move I could make was to listen and listen well. It's a long story that I will spare you from, but I got through the meeting and two months later was hired by the merged company as the executive over human resources, reporting to the CEO.
I tell you this not to brag about my success. Clearly, I knew nothing about HR or e-commerce—the industry I was now in! But I did know that I needed to listen to the word of God speak to me daily. I also knew that I was in no position to tell others what to do in business. I had to listen and learn. I'm a lot smarter when I keep my mouth closed and my ears open.
Over the years I have often been asked to do things and take on roles where I had no experience. I am confident that any success I at times have experienced is because, in the furnace of desperation, I had to listen to the Lord and listen to others in order to be used by God and fulfill my job.
Read God's word and listen. Listen to those around you. You will be surprised how smart you become!
Father, grant us the self-control that comes from the Holy Spirit to know when to listen and when to speak, that we might be led by you and not our own limited knowledge. Be glorified through our obedience to you today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV
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