Servant Leadership Practice--Honor Another

A while ago, it was called the "Yuppie Conundrum". Young, upwardly mobile people were confronted with others who weren't doing so well. They might be the homeless beggars on the street. It might be the person standing at the intersection with a cardboard sign. It might be the person down the street moving out of their home because they can't afford the mortgage. The "Yuppie Conundrum" exists because we know that many people are down on their "luck", not through any fault of their own, but because of economic cycles, mismanagement of companies by others, mergers and acquisitions and a multitude of other causes. If people can be knocked down just because they're in the wrong place at the wrong time, people can also be raised to higher lifestyles by being in the right place at the right time. And here's the conundrum: I want to believe that I'm doing well because I'm intelligent, talented, wise and wonderful, but my reason tells me that's not the true reason I'm here now.

Others will say that success comes when you're prepared for the opportunity when it arrives. Preparation doesn't guarantee success because the opportunity may never come.

Therefore, as you walk around today, realize that the others prepared for their success just as much as you have. They prepared differently. They prepared for different opportunities. You are not better than they are. Though you might think they work for you, the people WITH whom you work are intelligent, talented, wise and wonderful. It's amazing that you're allowed to work with them because they are really awesome people. You are honored to be with them. Show them some honor today. Be amazed that you are in their presence.

Gary Smalley in many of his videos and seminars holds up a battered violin in some disrepair, strings dangling from its neck. How we view people is often how we perceive this violin. It's worthless. Then he reads the name inside, "Stradivarius", and our reaction is often one of awe. Even in its current condition, that instrument may be worth $100,000. We now handle it gently and with care. We don't want to be responsible for further damaging something so valuable.

People are priceless and should be handled with care and honor.

For C12 and Truth@Work members, think about how you honor your employees as if they were Christ himself. Ephesians 6 asks us to do just that. No threats, no favoritism. We are all humble children of God, people worthy of honor.

Servant Leadership Practice--Encourage Another

There was a guy in one of the companies I worked for. He had been shuffled from one department to another. He was an "okay" worker, not flashy nor extraordinary but not rotten either. He was a complainer periodically--enough that it drove his supervisors crazy. He complained about the right things though. He always offered suggestions even if they weren't practical. With a mix of ambition and conscientiousness, he would often corral anyone who would listen to his complaints and ideas, especially anyone in upper management.

I needed someone to do some research on one of our processes. From his complaints, I knew this guy at least had a passion to see the place get better. I decided to tap into his desire to prove himself. "Joe, you've worked in a lot of departments. I need to you to find out what's happening with this product. We're getting killed with the rejects and the costs. Now, you've been involved with it directly at different stages, but I also want you to spend time with the other areas. Listen to what people tell you. Ask good questions. Test a few hypotheses. Then get back to me in a few weeks with your analysis. If you have any questions, let me know along the way, or get a hold of me if you feel stumped. You've had some pretty good ideas in the past, that I'm sure you'll be able to help us figure out what we should do here."

Joe went off bounding into the assignment, energized and excited like he had just been called up from the minor league's bullpen as a rookie relief pitcher to the big leagues in the seventh game of the World Series.

From that assignment, we found a niche for Joe. We soon transferred him into the right job that fit his skills and attitude. He stopped being a thorn in people's sides. We had tapped his passion and drive.

Your assignment today is to find a person you need to encourage. Not one of your favorites, but someone who has gifts, talents and skills, but needs recognition. You could specifically acknowledge their talent, and express confidence in them to meet expectations--old or new. If they need some development in an area, talk to them about how to get those aptitudes. Everyone is too valuable to waste. You need them all in your business, division, or department. This kind of recognition and encouragement is like a reward from heaven. All it costs is a little time.

For C12 and Truth@Work members, reflect on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Maybe there's an employee whose reputation has been trashed, beaten down by an expressed lack of confidence. Maybe there's someone who's being ignored, figuratively left along the side of the road while the others cross on the other side, barely glancing at or involving this person. Today, reach out to that person as we prepare for celebrating Christ's passion and resurrection. He died for this person recognizing their worth. Be a cup of cold water and a balm to this person's spirit.