You nurture babies and prize-winning orchids.
ADAGE
Do Not Nurture
———-
RESPONSE
You nurture babies and prize-winning orchids. Employees require challenge. Training. Intensity. Friction. Competition. Nurturing leads to employees who believe they are owed a living. Challenge leads to employees who understand they have to earn their living. Business is a contact sport. A team sport with a player/coach. Challenging employees means being tough, setting difficult objectives, being taut with criticism and generous with rewards. Challenging employees will ensure that the best move ahead. Job security is directly related to the ability to respond to challenge. Contemporary thought leadership promotes the concept of “servant” leadership, which some employees appear to have taken quite literally. A culture of entitlement has led to unrealistic expectations between employers and employees. Motivating employees who, to a large extent, lack the drive or the vision to succeed is a huge management challenge, a challenge that can be met by introducing these lost souls to Jesus. Jesus challenges us to the core in His call to follow Him. We must die to ourselves to successfully be His disciples. The military has learned that people are most committed when the cost is highest for a greater cause than themselves.
SCRIPTURE
Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
QUESTIONS
How do the Scripture(s) apply to the business adage?
Are you a servant leader? Describe your leadership style.
Is fear ever a proper motivator? Explain.
Is money a proper motivator for your employees?
How do you deal with employees who feel entitled?
DOWNLOAD
Download the free PDF worksheet for this adage, print it, and use it in your meeting, conference, or group.
