People Matter (Even when they get what they deserve!)

March 21, 2011

As you begin to read the book of Nehemiah, you quickly realize that Nehemiah wasn't aware the facts of the problem in Israel. Things were really bad. One of Nehemiah’s contemporaries, Haggai, wrote that Israel was experiencing severe drought, hunger, thirst, and poverty of every sort. And yet, here was Nehemiah living in the palace far removed from the problem of his countrymen.

Israel was receiving their just rewards. The had lived in disobedience to God and selfishly attempted to build their lives without God as their center and foundation. Much like a frustrated parent, God allowed Israel to do things their own way and experience reality without him. Sometime the hardest lessons we learn in life come from our own stubbornness to do things our own way and we suffer the consequences of that decision time after time. That is where the saying, “He made his own bed, now let him lie in it.” came from. We understand that often we simply deserve the problems and chaos that comes our way.

But Nehemiah reacted with compassion. Once he heard of the devastation in Israel, he was broken. In fact, Nehemiah indicates that he spent about four months agonizing over the problem and praying for a solution.  During that time he interceded for Israel, asked for forgiveness on their behalf, and began to think of how he might find a solution.

Here’s the point: People screw up! That is a fact. They always have, and always will this side of death. Regardless of the situation, people matter. Unfortunately, the corporate world, much like the church world, can be a cold and unforgiving place that tends to dehumanize people who have screwed up.

Whether a manager, pastor or a CEO, we have to keep in mind the inherent value of people. Sure, they may do some despicable things and need to be released. They may steal from your company, they may cheat on their wife and family, or worse. But they are still people who have, as the scripture tells us, been created in the image of God. Every individual, even the most despised, deserves to be treated with the basic dignity of someone who has been created in such a power image.

In the church world, this seems to be a forgotten concept. There is a saying in the church, that I wish weren’t true, Christians are the only ones who stab their own wounded”. While the Christian world doesn’t own that saying exclusively, it sure seems to be carried out with great efficiency. Yet, it should not be so. We are all flawed and unless you have forgotten, there are times when you have done your own despicable things, you just haven’t gotten caught.

As leaders, we set the culture for our people. How we treat those who have done you or your company wrong, will be caught by those around you. Don’t misunderstand, I am not advocating for an easy, let them off the hook, feel good paradigm. Consequences for behavior and how an individual is treated, (forgiveness) are two different issues. While those who have done wrong may need to suffer the consequences of their behavior, they are still people created in the image of God and should be treated with the utmost dignity and compassion.

This leadership principle is very simple; People matter, even when they are receiving their just rewards for poor behavior. Never rejoice in the wrong doing of others. Never create a “Gotcha!” culture within your place of business, church or corporation. Great leaders learn how to treat people with the dignity they deserve, even in the midst of chaos.

Posted 3/21/2011 in Stephen Gray | 1 Comment - Add Comment

Comments:

     I try to remember, when it all boils down, I don't really want what's fair or I get hell for eternity. I was Christ's mercy and forgiveness extended to me as a free gift as a result of His payment for my sin.