On December 16, I published a post that advocated the use of “Faith” to achieve your 2015 business objectives.
To some of you that seemed pretty dumb because it suggested that you need faith to get through some of the undefined variables that you’ll encounter as the year progresses.
Yesterday I heard a great interview with a Chaplain employed by a large window and door manufacturer in Calgary. With over 1,200 employees that represent about 50 different cultures and six world religions, it took the Chaplain over three years to establish the trust required to make a difference.
• He was hired because the company owner wanted a more cohesive and productive corporate culture.
• The Chaplain’s job is to listen an provide support and advice to those who ask for it.
• The Chaplain’s job is NOT to convert employees to the company owner’s religion or point of view.
• The result is reduced absenteeism as well as greater “presence”. Less employees show up only from the “neck down” because they have someone to turn to with their personal internal strife.
• No two days are alike except that all days require the Chaplin to make rounds, looking for those who need a kind word or more support to do their best.
I was struck by a few things:
1. The progressive + innovative nature of the business owner. He understands that a real corporate culture needs to include alignment and support of the spiritual side of enterprise.
2. The commitment to the decision. While hiring one full time minister to support 1,200 employees is not a financial issue since it represents such a small fraction of the company’s total salary and overhead, recognizing and accepting a 3-5 year results horizon is admirable.
3. The opportunity the owner is giving each employee to make the most of their day by resolving personal issues that affect them and their families.
As I said in the original post:
Faith provides open-minded leaders with more options and unforeseen opportunities that “arrive” and are “arrived at” in ways and means that need to be believed before they are seen.
My 1st article on Faith Based Leadership . . .