28 – ACCESSIBLE MANAGEMENT

1 Thessalonians 2v7b-8b

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Generally, among the Top 10 reasons why employees give more to the department and the organization, why they feel valued and involved and stay productive in the company for longer are:

1. ‘caring and supportive culture’

2. ‘immediate manager relationship’

3. ‘training and development and career support’

As Christian leaders and managers, if we can infuse these aspects with genuine love for our people, ‘agape’ (unconditional and sometimes ‘tough’) love, we will not only fulfill our calling as men and women of God, but we will transform personal and business lives while we do so.  

Our people don’t need us to mother them, but they do need us to truly care.  When people know that someone who can easily, even greatly, influence their lives (the boss) will also treat them with respect, will nurture them with training and support - and constructive feedback - and acknowledge them when they make meaningful contributions, they will thrive and excel and give more.  It’s not Rocket Science, but it is God-honoring ‘Smart Business’.

PRAYER ACTION

I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart. I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know.  I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your loving-kindness and Your truth from the people. Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; Let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me. (Psalm 40)

“Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.  It is not enough to just say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is ‘TIME.’”

(Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?)