contemporary definition of management is "getting things done through people".  For the workers to do the things management wants done, they must be motivated to do those things. The typical way in which management gets things done through people is by exercising its authority over people. The motivation is a "carrot” or “stick" approach. The carrot is the monetary benefit of employment; the stick is the threat of the termination of employment.

Success in staffing in the company is defined as "productivity" -- that is, getting the most things done with the least amount of cost. The workers are considered to be a factor of production and by manipulating the "carrots" and the "sticks" management succeeds in accomplishing its goals through its workers.¹

The Staffing Tension

Modern labour relations are characterized by a tension between workers represented by unions and employers represented by management. The union movement developed because management had almost absolute authority over employees. The pursuit of profit dominated the company and workers were underpaid, overworked, and had their physical safety threatened by dangerous working conditions. Unions were formed to exercise a counter influence to the unjust exercise of authority by management. By collective action workers could address the injustices. Through the threat of strikes they could force management to negotiate better working conditions. Today, the tension between workers and management is a tension between the rights of management to manage the company and the rights of workers to receive a fair wage and fair working conditions.

The underlying issue is one of power -- who has the power to decide in the company? Where there is a union that power is shared between management and the union. Where there is no union, the power rests with management. Management exercises its power over its employees to accomplish business goals and to generate a profit for the shareholders of the company. The employees do the job but lack commitment to the company because they are not paid well or management does not look after their interests. The result may be high profits for the company but it will pay the price in employee theft or sabotage.

Management: Jesus Style

Jesus taught a very different approach to management. He said: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28)

From Jesus' perspective the measure of true success is relationship with God and relationship with others.  “Exercising authority" for the sake of establishing one's superiority is an abuse of relationship. It destroys relationship with God because it denies His rightful place as the superior being and it destroys relationship with others because it denies the dignity that is due to them as equal persons.  "There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt."  (Ecclesiastes 8:9)

For example, in Africa there are many examples of people lording it over others. The British lorded it over black Africans. The traditional Chiefs lord it over their subjects. It seems that many managers have taken their cue from these poor role models and expect their employees to treat them as superior.

However, Jesus turns the tables on this definition of management. His approach is that the manager is a servant leader to the employee.

 A Parable Concerning Responsibility

Jesus places the emphasis on responsibility rather than upon authority in the relationship between "masters" and "servants":

The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:42-48)

Although this parable is spoken in the context of the Second Coming of Christ, its application to the relationship between servants and masters is apparent. Jesus teaches that those who have been "appointed" over others have been entrusted with a responsibility for others. The "wise manager" is a servant not only to the master but also to the other servants by providing them with their "food allowance" at the proper time. The Master's will for the manager is that he would discharge his responsibility to the other servants and that the Master would find him doing so when he returns. The Master's expectation for the manager is greater because he has trusted the manager with a greater responsibility.

Manage by Serving

The wise manager faithfully discharges his responsibility to the master by serving his fellow servants. This means that rather than management exercising authority to get things done in the business, management must faithfully discharge its responsibility to its employees as well as to its shareholders by serving and caring for its employees. It is management by serving others rather than management by "lording it over" others. Management by serving others will honor God, will enhance relationship with others and will get the work done. Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve (1 Peter 5:2).

First Principles in Staffing for Success

The true measure of success is relationship with others and with God. Therefore, staffing for true success means management by serving. Abiding by the following principles will enable the Christian businessperson to staff their organization successfully.

1. Be ready to serve

Most business people think they are the masters and their employees are their servants. To manage by serving you must overturn this state of mind and be ready to serve. You are a servant who leads, not a leaders who serves.  Leadership is a function managers fulfill, not a position of entitlement.

There is much opportunity in the workplace "to serve". Christian business people are constantly encountering opportunities to serve others -- customers and employees. By serving others you will develop a habit of thinking of the needs of others and considering the interests of others. 

Each month, a Christian supervisor had to prepare a list of employees who would take turns cleaning the company restrooms. Instead of leaving his name off the list, as would be his privilege as the supervisor, he put it right at the top and took his turn along with the other employees. He led by example in serving others.

In Africa, it is the custom that employees greet the employer first when they come to work. As a Christian employer who serves his people, greet them first when you meet. Then you will discover more about what is going on in their lives and show your concern. This will create a very positive work environment thereby reducing absenteeism, low productivity, and other employee problems. Workers who feel cared for will work all the harder for their employer.

For example, suppose the manager of a business arrives at work one morning and enters his office. The secretary greets him first and asks him about his family, etc. He responds to her greeting but because he is in a hurry to get to work he forgets to greet her properly. Later, he comes out of his office to find that his secretary has not completed any of her tasks for the morning. He asks why and finds out that the young child of the secretary is very ill and she cannot concentrate on her tasks. He could have discovered this situation if he had greeted her properly in the first place.

Christians in business can evidence their sincere interest in the welfare of their employees by greeting them first and finding out what is happening in the lives of their employees.

2. What's fair is fair

Fairness needs to be the standard for service in the Christian businessperson's discharging of his responsibilities to his employees. Paul teaches: Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1).

Fairness starts with the fundamental responsibility of the employer to pay his employees fairly. A fair wage is a wage that will reasonably meet the needs of the employee. If an employee comes to work hungry, cannot feed or clothe his family or put his children through school, then his employer is not paying him a fair wage. Employers can be creative in providing for their employees through profit sharing. Employers can encourage employees to go into part time business for themselves and give them time off to do the business if they cannot afford to pay them what is needed to provide for their families.

The Christian employer has a scriptural obligation to pay the employees what he owes them, when he owes it to them. Do not defraud your neighbour or rob him. Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight (Leviticus 19:13).   Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns. Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. Otherwise he may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin (Deuteronomy 24:13-15).

Policy must be developed with the aim of being fair to everyone concerned. Different incentives can be provided to different people as long as it is clearly laid out beforehand what the company policy is for these incentives and that everyone has equal access to the incentives.

Favouritism is a particular problem in the work place. Some employers give special considerations to family members; to members of their own church; to male employees over female employees; or to members of their own tribe. Not so with you! My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favouritism (James 2:1).  Favouritism and partiality creates an atmosphere of distrust in the workplace. Christians in business must uphold a high standard of equal treatment for all their employees without making distinctions. 

Likewise, Christian employees must be fair to their Christian employers and not take advantage of them because they are "brothers in the Lord".  Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dear to them (1 Timothy 6:2a).

3. Work for those who work for you

Not only should the Christian businessperson do what is right and fair for his employees, but also he should "make himself poor, that they may be rich." For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).Christian employers do not have to bankrupt their company for the sake of their employees, but do what Jesus did. Jesus, who had all the riches of eternity, humbled Himself so that He could share those riches with us. So too, Christian employers can humble themselves and work for the empowering of their employees. 

People have needs beyond just their material welfare. People need love, affirmation, and dignity. People need spiritual life. Christian employers must go beyond fair wages and work to empower those that work for them by providing them the essentials and then some.

 A person has dignity when he knows he can do something well. The wife of noble character had confidence in her ability to provide for her family. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." (Proverbs 31:25)

Christian employers can provide that sense of dignity by making it a priority to teach, train and develop the skills of their employees. They can work for the salvation of their employees. They can work for the encouragement and strengthening and establishment of their employees as mature believers in Christ. Some Christian business people organize employee Bible studies at the work site and make available Christian literature to their employees. However, Christian employers must earn the right to share Christ with the employees by doing what is right and fair first, or they will not receive a welcome response!

In return, employees will care about their work because they know that the employer cares for them and is working for them as well. The result is dedicated,loyal, hard-working and trustworthy employees. Work for those who work for you and they will really dedicate themselves to work for you! 

Summary

So in summary, the Christian businessperson is not to manage his employees as the world manages people by lording it over them and mistreating them. Relationship is the key to true success in staffing.   Jesus requires that the faithful manager be ready to serve and do what's right and fair for his employees, treating everyone equally and working to empower them spiritually as well as materially. Only then will the Christian businessperson receive the title: "wise and faithful manager" and be welcomed into his eternal reward.

Notes:

1. Peter Drucker. The Practice of Management. New York, NY: Harper & Row, 1954. p. 14.

Technocrati Tag: Mutuality .