Management

 

I have always thought that Paul's comments in the New Testament of the Bible, when writing to the church at Corinth, are interesting.  In 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, he says “I did so and so, I experienced such and such. but boasting is so awful. How else do I get through to you?” My paraphrase, of course.

Let me put my cards on the table. I have difficulty with the idea of management as used in companies and businesses. It seems that the management of people is a bit like herding cats. Have you ever tried to do that? My position is that we manage things, but we lead people. So, we manage schedules, timetables, and work requirements, but we lead people.

Again, leadership is also a misused word. Our Western thinking is, leading by telling people what to do. When I use the word, “leadership”, I have a different thought in mind: The “King-Jesus-Leadership” thinking says, “I am coming to wash your feet.” Or “Do not do it like they do – i.e.: Lord it over people.” Meaning, by God’s own definition, leadership is all about “servanthood”.

Now to the boasting. When I was leading a large church community, I often overheard people ask other people how they got to be part of the leadership in this community. It's funny how people aspire to that. I was always delighted by how the long-standing community members almost always answered that question, which was, “Can you sweep up well?”. That told me that they understood the principle of servant-leadership.

Working in a medium-sized company with several different areas and the need for departmental managers, I observed that some believe it's their job to tell people what to do. Usually, we were met by those being told with “a face”, not in front of the person telling them but usually behind their backs. We need to be observant.

I observe that the “tellers” are not good “sweeper-uppers”, “washer-uppers”, or “cup-clearer-awayers,” instead having “told”, and appointing themselves as “tellers” instead of “leaders”, they enjoy relaxing.

Again, to the silly boasting, I often clear the cups, top up the water cooler, etc., because Leadership is exampling, serving, and going in front.

People who want to lead people need to understand the delight/ reward of seeing others succeed. My wife and I have fostered for many years; I am delighted to hear about the success of those we have fostered. It is rewarding.

The company I work with looks after Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers. Do you know what? I am thrilled to hear of one of these young people, who I reckon will become the new Mo Farrar. Another one will shortly become a trained Paramedic, and others who have started businesses are doing exceedingly well. That, in my book, is rewarding.

If we aspire to leadership (not management in the way that word is thought of, i.e. managing people -a thing which we shouldn't), we should look for the developement of others. We should aspire for their best good. If we are the teachers, we should plan for those we teach, to become better teachers than we are. If we lead, we should prepare for those we lead to become better leaders than we are. That truly is a success.

More silly boasting. I have been in situations where I have told the leader, “What you have produced is fantastic. How did you do it?” Their answer was the reward. “Indeed,” they said, “We only did what you taught us to do.” Reward indeed.

Adrianhawkes.blogspot.com

w. 592

11/07/24