Case Studies
BILL'S DILEMMA
Bill is a very effective manager for a computer software company. "Productivity" and "efficiency" are his middle names! Because his career has gone so well he has been given more and more responsibility. So much so, in fact, that it seems his work is never completed by the end of a day. Consequently, he's been staying at work later and later. And yet he feels guilty about the way in which work eats up more and more of his life.
One Monday night he comes home, hoping his family will somehow sympathize with the pressures of his busy day. Yet, as he walks in the door, his wife sarcastically asks, "Honey, the kids have been asking when they can meet with you! Should I set up an appointment with your secretary?" Bill's spirits sag, and he thinks of several terse replies he could make. Instead, he turns away in silence.
Since he was late for dinner, cold meat loaf is his fare. He takes his plate into the den to catch the football game. At half-time, his wife comes in. After several futile attempts at sparking a conversation, she laments over the fact that they never seem to have time for each other. Family devotions seem to have slipped out of the picture, too. They haven't prayed together in months. And Bill doesn't seem to talk about the Lord anymore when he discusses what's going on in his life.
Bill passes off the guilt stirred up by his wife's complaints with the thought, "At least things are going well at the office."
Discussion
Questions
1. What would you say Bill has lost in his perspective on life?
2. Why is his work the most important thing in his life?
3. Where would you begin to help someone like Bill?
4. Compare and contrast the skills needed to do well at work versus the skills needed for a good marriage and to be a good parent.
5. What part of this case history can you relate to?
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