I look to hire people not with just a bachelor’s or master’s degree, but a “suffering degree.” In interviews, I ask candidates to share where they’ve suffered, how they navigated it, and who they are now as a result. I care more about the suffering degree than the others. Having all the degrees is a win. And experience in one’s field is gold. But suffering is what sets people, and job candidates, apart.
The Suffering Degree Explained
A suffering degree is not awarded to those who have suffered, but to those who have suffered well. A suffering degree means the person has been through the furnace of personal loss, tragedy, hurt, painful illness, or failure. Then after hard won perspective, they’re not bitter about it, but the better for it.
Yes, a university degree is important. I have a bachelor’s and a master’s. But I have a suffering one too. Along with other “sufferings” in my life, I have biolar II, with crushing depression. This has been quite the teacher. The lessons are painful, but invaluable. It’s my suffering degree that I cherish most.
Book-Smarts Is Not Enough
The university degree means folks have been equipped with knowledge and skill (and maybe some experience) in their chosen field. But often it’s mostly book-smarts.
Book-smarts only get you so far in the workplace when there is stress, pressure, interpersonal conflicts, failure, disagreements, pass-over for promotions, an overbearing boss, personality clashes, and the like. In addition, book-smarts doesn’t cut it when one is suffering in their personal life while trying to perform soundly in their professional life.
The Smartest People in the Room
I’ve been in the room with book-smart people who believe they are the smartest persons there. They especially love to point out where the leadership is failing and the organization is faltering. They’ve enlightened many co-workers already in hallway conversations. They’re convinced they have the sacred answers of what must be done to improve or rescue the organization. They’re so cute. Oh to be naïve again. If leadership was only so easy as theories, case studies, blog posts, books, podcasts, and university degrees. The human factor throws everything into a blender.
Basically, these folks need some serious suffering in their lives. It’s easy to dictate from the cubicle what should be done in the corporation when not accountable for decisions and their repercussions. It’s especially easy when these folks have not been chipped up and bled from the nose for any past wrong decisions and the aftermath. They don’t get that scars and blood often turn out great decision-makers.
How a Suffering Degree Sets You Apart:
* Those with suffering degrees are often the most pleasant to work with and lead.
* They’re past feeling like they have something to prove.
* They’re great team players.
* They foster good chemistry with others.
* They’re humble and teachable.
* They’re self-aware.
* They stay above the fray of whining and complaining at the office Keurig.
* They don’t feel entitled.
* They’re grateful.
* They’re empathetic and compassionate.
* They’re loyal.
* They’re wise.
* Leaders know that those with suffering degrees often make the organization and its people better, and bring the accomplishment of its mission nearer.
The school of suffering is costly, but the degree is priceless.
Great article!! Really inspires me to do more!!! I’ve suffered alot in my life with school! And I know God is great and he loves me and thats what matters!
Thank you brother!
I can only pray that all bosses would feel this way since I have been a temporary employee for the last going on 5 years. I created my own suffering from the path I chose and decisions I have made, but I was blessed to get an education later. All and all it is good now, I have a job and I suport my children, I don’t have what I want bit I definitely get what I need what an awesome God to bless me like that.
Thanks for sharing, Joani!
WOW..I have been troubled about something and this right here is going to be of great help..I think everyone should read this..so is that why I am a better boss to the people I work with well that is how I feel that I am a better version of me….this explains how past horrible experiences are life’s precious lessons..thank you for your honesty..you bring light to some really hard areas of life..
Georgette, thank you for sharing and your encouragement. So thrilled the post was helpful.
Pastor Jarrod thank you so much for your willingness to share your battle with Bipolar Disorder. I, too, suffer from Bipolar Disorder type 2. I have been through hell and back more times than I can count. But Jesus was there holding my hand and guiding me through the flames. I hope you realize the difference you make by being so open about your illness. It has truly inspired me. Thank you!
Hi Jessica. Thank you for your encouragement. It’s also a bit scary to be open about it. But I’ve learned over and again how helpful, encouraging, and inspiring it is to others who are in or who have gone through the furnace. So grateful the post inspired you. That’s my hope with all my posts. Thank you again for sharing!
Hi again, Pastor Jarrod,
I know you will agree that only thru humility and transparency (in Christ’s strength) can we humans relate to each other. All the books, videos, and on and on cannot chisel away at the human heart the way suffering does. Having majored in psychology and a masters in counseling, divorced, broke to the point of welfare consideration, teaching 6th graders for decades, breast cancer, skin cancer survivor, HUMBLING MYSELF to my Lord and Master….now that’s relatable, IF done in Christ! Only thru pain can we love our fellow man, who, whether they admit it or not, are in pain, too. It’s a beautiful thing. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS.
Phyllis
Thank you, Phyllis!
Such an interesting post. I love the term “Suffering Degree.” Coincidentally, I have had the same belief as well as recent conversations regarding this perspective. I completely agree that challenges and suffering gives you insight.
I have had my own versions and completely owe it to those experiences for making me who I am; I am often described as a “people person” and have the qualities “you cannot teach.” The more you suffer, the more “intelligent” you become with a higher EQ. I also am most inspired by people who have suffered, persevered (or persevering), and become amazing people from it. I am so interested in those stories. I do not regret my experiences because that has become my story and my foundation. But, those years were tough, and I would not want to relive them.
My struggle with this perspectove is, what does that mean for our children? I would like them to be as insightful, as intelligent, as appreciative as those that have or have had their moments of suffering. But, I would not wish the same experiences for them. Do our kids have to suffer the same to be the people we would like them to be? I would not wish my experiences on them, and actively try to avoid that scenario. It breaks my heart to imagine they would have to suffer such challenges to be a well-rounded person. Can we reach and teach them in other ways?
Hi Cherie,
Thanks for sharing! I’m with you on suffering being invaluable but not wanting to relive it again. Regarding children, I have four, ages twelve to seven. And I too would never want my children to suffer. I pray that they won’t, especially in the way(s) I have. I think our teaching as parents to prepare them for life can spare them much suffering. But oh if they would only listen! Unfortunately pain is often the best teacher. But we invest in our kids, teach them, caution them, and even protect them but not as helicopter parents. Sometimes they need to skin their knees to learn the lesson. The hope is they learn from us, and learn from early pains in their lives. But we also teach and model how to handle suffering, and how we handled suffering, in our own lives for they day they face their own. In the meantime, we love, we teach, and we pray!