By DAVID EPPS
Guest Columnist

It was the last time I would be with him in the old ways that had lasted for over 18 years. Significant changes were about to take place and I felt that I had to have some words of wisdom for him as I drove him to the drop-off point.

In just a few more miles, my little boy — not so little now — my youngest child would begin the journey to Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas and a 6-year enlistment in the United States Air Force.

James had informed us of his intentions a month before his birthday, four months prior to his high school graduation. Now, he was about to step out of the shelter of our home and into an abrupt and possibly jarring adulthood. So, what advice could I give him in the next 12 miles?

“James,” I said. “I want to give you three simple secrets to success in life and in the Air Force. For the rest of your life, you will be solely responsible for tasks and projects assigned to you and will be accountable to somebody directly over you. As someone who has had employees under him and a superior over him, I want to give you some advice that will work for you, wherever you go.”

In a nutshell, here is the advice I shared during those last few moments with my son: Rule Number 1 - “Do your job to the best of your ability, every single time”

Louis Graham, chief of police for Fulton County, shared three secrets of success at a police academy graduation. Simply put, he said to the new officers, “Show up to work. Show up to work on time. Show up to work on time and do something remotely related to the job. If you do this, you will be ahead of 95 percent of the work force and will be on the fast track to promotion.”

I laughed at the simplicity of his message, yet, at the same time, grieved that his words rang true. In my own work experience, I knew scores of men and women who saw it as their goal in life to “beat the company” and shirk their work and responsibilities. I have had dozens of employers in the last few years lament that the biggest problem they have is finding employees who will actually work!

Recently, I drove through the drive-thru lane of a fast food restaurant in my area. The young lady at the window appeared bored, surly, and seemed irritated that she actually had to sell me her store's product. It took four requests and repeated checking of the bag before the order was finally correct. I was angry at the management for retaining such a person, yet, I know that such an employee is all too typical. “Do your job, James. Do it well.”

Rule Number 2 - “Be loyal to your superior.” During those times that I have had people working for me, I valued loyalty. I wanted to be able to turn my back on the person and not have it stabbed. In the ministry, I have seen associate pastors and others undermine their senior pastors and, by doing so, destroy their own careers. Sometimes, they even destroyed the churches they thought they were helping in their disloyalty.

In Vietnam, a few disgruntled soldiers murdered their officers by tossing a grenade in their tent, an event known as “fragging.” These selfish and disloyal traitors not only destroyed their superiors but helped lose a war for their country. A disloyal employee is no better than the Roman official Brutus who, pretending to be loyal to his friend, helped dastardly men plunge the knives into the writhing body of Julius Caesar. “Make sure you are always loyal, James. By your actions, let your superiors know that they can trust you.”

Rule Number 3 - “Make your superiors look good.” Once, an associate minister asked me what his most important job was. “Your most important job,” I replied, “is to make me look good.” He was shocked by my reply, expecting more of a spiritual reply, I suppose. But the simple fact is that I hired this person because I needed his help in the area of his expertise. He, as all associates I have retained, was hired by me to help me do my job better.

If the day ever came when he did not make me look good to my people, that is the day he became a liability, rather than an asset. That would be the day I ceased to need his services. Every employer I have ever talked to about this subject feels the same way.

The truth is, if an employee does his job well, is loyal and trustworthy, and makes his employer look good to his superiors or customers, that employee will reap the rewards in appreciation, promotions, and financial considerations — unless, of course, the boss is a fool. And, sadly, some bosses are. But, for the most part, superiors who are intelligent are more than willing to reward employees who help them reach their goals.

There were times that, because of tight finances at some of the churches I pastored, I refused a raise. However, those under me who understood the rules reaped rewards year after year. I shared with James that, as an example, in my current relationship with my bishops, my goals are to do everything assigned to me to the best of my ability — perhaps, even to exceed expectations; to be a man that the bishops can feel good about and someone they can trust to “watch their backs”; and to help them look good in every circumstance whenever I can.

I had to admit that, in days gone by, I had not always been such a man. Some lessons are learned the hard way, but lessons learned late are still lessons learned.

When I watched him walk away from me into his future, I knew that, whatever came, the rest of his life was now up to him. But I am full of confidence. For the last 18 years, James, for the most part, has always done what I have asked him to do. I have almost always been able to trust him. And, I have to admit, he has made me look like a pretty good dad.

He has had a good start. I believe he will finish well. He knows the rules.

[Father David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church. He may be contacted online at CTKCEC@aol.com or at P. O. Box 2192, Peachtree City, GA 30269.

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