After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Matthew 25:19
There are lessons that the master of the servants, who represents our Lord Jesus Christ, can teach us based on how he managed his servants. Usually, we tend to focus on how the servants handled their talents, but the real businessman in this story is the master. What business lessons can we learn from him?
1. He had some assets to invest - The master gave his servants his assets to
invest; he made sure they did not remain idle while he was traveling, Mathew 25:14.
An asset is something valuable you have that can generate revenue. Make sure that you are always aware of your assets and how to put them to work. Revenue generation begins with proper asset allocation.
2. He prepared his servants - He gave them talents according to their abilities,
Mathew 25:15-16. He made sure that his servants were equipped to handle the talents he gave them. He did not give them more than they could handle but what he knew they could manage. We must ensure that our staff members are properly trained and equipped to do what we expect of them.
3. He diversified his investments - The master put his investments in the hands
of his most trusted servants. He could have given all the investments to the servant who was able to multiply them the most, but that would increase his risk of entrusting all of his eggs to only one basket. Thus, he diversified them. Diversifying ensures that you minimize your risks, maximize your returns, and protect your assets against possible loss.
4. He delegated responsibility - After he gave them the talents, he went on
a journey, Mathew 25:15. He left them to take full responsibility of their assignments.
We must not micro-manage our staff members, but rather, demonstrate our trust in their abilities by allowing them to handle their responsibilities.
5. He held them accountable - After a long time the master came and settled
accounts with them, Matthew 25:19. Although he trusted their ability, he kept them accountable. A lack of accountability produces a lack of performance and even hurts morale.
6. He rewarded them for their productivity - Individuals are driven by incentives.
Hopefully you have a strategic plan with clear measurable goals and objectives.
Tie those goals to a reward system to teach your team that productivity will be rewarded. Do not reward people for what they should be doing already and do not delegate their rewards to eternity, they need them now.
7. He disciplined the unproductive servant - The master rebuked the unproductive
servant and gave his talent to the one with the 10 talents, Mathew 25:26-28. He confronted the unproductive servant, explained his disappointment, told him what he should have done, and administered the appropriate discipline. In the name of Christian love, we tend to create an undisciplined workplace. Remember, God chastises those He loves, Hebrews 12:6. If you do not have the courage to discipline your staff, you either do not love them or you are operating out of fear, which is not of God for "perfect love casts out fear," 1 John 4:18.
It is our responsibility to apply these principles in our business affairs otherwise we will suffer the consequence of being disciplined by Our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. That discipline may manifest itself in business failure and maybe eventually in eternal punishment, as it did with the servant who had the one talent.
Copyright © 2009 Patrice Tsague, NPIM ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
No comments:
Post a Comment