Leadership: The 14 Success Principles of JobSample

11. No Schadenfreude

Job’s eleventh principle is related to a single word borrowed from the German language: "Schadenfreude." The Oxford English Dictionary includes this word and gives the following definition: 

“Pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune.”

And, Job lists this as his eleventh principle for leadership and business success:

If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him…  – Job 31:29

What Job is saying here is that no matter who he is competing against, or who his enemies are, he will not find joy in their misfortune or failure.

This principle may sound a bit abstract. After all, you may be thinking you don’t have any enemies and you would never think like that about them anyway, but think about your last week at work.

Your competitors may work at another company, competing for the same customer, or they may be in the group of people you work with, going after the same opportunity for promotion. Whatever you do, you have competitors. Job’s principle here is when one of your competitors experiences a setback, a mistake, or a loss, this should never be a reason for you to rejoice or gloat.

King Solomon, who lived over a thousand years after Job reinforces Job’s principle with these words:

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove…  – Proverbs 24:17-18a

We also find Job’s eleventh principle is consistent with God’s command to the Israelites:

“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.”  – Exodus 23:4-5

and with Jesus words to us today: 

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”  – Matthew 5:44-45a

In all of these references, the principle is the same. Instead of finding joy in your enemies’ failures, step out to help them. 

And look what happens when you do that:

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.  – Proverbs 25:21-22

Reflection / Application  

1. Recall the last time your competitor or enemy met with failure. How did it make you feel?   
2. Now that you know Job’s eleventh principle (and similar Bible teachings), how should you have reacted to their failure?  
3. What can you do differently next time?