This post is the 3rd in a series on Work is Worship from Darren Bosch.
“Healthy team – healthy profit. It’s a nice thought but it’s not the real world!”
You've probably heard it…. maybe even thought it?
For many of us thinking about leading self and people, let alone generating a “healthy” profit is at best a pipedream. To even consider leading a profitable business in a way that is “worship” is even more remote in the thinking of most business owners and leaders.
This thinking is not from the One who made you. The clear call in the Scriptures to lead, serve and add value to people’s lives is unavoidable. If you and I choose to live a fully engaged life in Christ, then we must learn how to lead our businesses with the mind of Christ.
We would all agree that there is no business without profit. Yet we ask this question…
One of the exciting God realities (and we shouldn't be surprised) is that leading a business with at least some sense of the His Kingdom Way translates into practical, pragmatic business results. Take a look at these bottom-line, not “warm and fuzzy” numbers from Gallup.
In their June 2013 article, Gallup provides 9 bottom line reasons for leading your team well:
- 10% increase on customer ratings
- 22% increase in profitability
- 21% increase in productivity.
- 25% decrease in turnover for high-turnover organizations,
- 65% decrease in turnover for low-turnover organizations
- 28% decrease in shrink
- 37% decrease in absenteeism and
- 48% fewer safety incidents (48%), patient safety incidents
- 41% reduction in quality defects.
Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines says, "Our people are our single greatest strength and most enduring long-term competitive advantage." Watch this video as you consider that Southwest just posted their 44th consecutive profitable quarter.
"Frankly, it has been humbling to be a follower of Christ in this work environment. I see so much here at Southwest that is rooted in a genuine love and respect for all people—a love not based on status or title consciousness. But it’s a love that is not necessarily derived from an understanding of the gospel—that we love because He first loved us. Yet the culture is very reflective of what one would hope to see – but often is not seen - in organizations that claim to have the gospel at their core (including lots of churches unfortunately). Working here for almost thirty years has caused me to be a lot less critical and more accepting of those who have not been called into a relationship with Christ. And why should I be critical? They often love others a lot better than I do. Yet I take great hope in the fact that the gospel I believe—that I have been saved through grace by faith, not of my own works or efforts, and am adopted as literal child of God and co-heir with Christ—gives me an identity that is infinitely greater and more lasting than any that I might on occasion grasp by being a part of this great organization.”
David Ridley, Southwest Airlines
I suggest that David Ridley would strongly endorse that, under the leading and sovereignty of God, helping lead a business that is as successful as Southwest Airlines is a wonderful expression of worship. Consider the “worshipful” impact that 44 consecutive quarters of profit has had on the team, families and communities.
Just the other day I was reflecting on this very topic with a business owner. We were enjoying the shift in his thinking regarding profit. By leading a more profitable business he is now able to care for his people more with a healthier wage, a benefit plan to better care for the team and their families, and now has capacity to offer strategic bonuses for work well done. The “joy of the Lord” was so very present as we “worshipped” together.
This owner is profoundly engaged in worshipping the One who made him as he continues to lead and execute his business in a way that allows him to bless his team and community more and more. In this context… work is – profit is worship!
Is your profit worship?
A Deliberate Application:
- What’s your reaction to the suggestion that profit is worship? Agree or disagree?
- Consider these verses in Matthew 28:18-20 NIV, Mark 10:45 NIV, Matthew 5:16 NIV. How do these inform your thinking regarding leading a profitable business?
