Recently, the wife of a long-serving employee of a global company posted on a Social Media platform expressing her angst and agony. Her husband, who loyally served the company for 25 years, was laid off after being randomly selected by a computer algorithm. Incidentally, it was his 48th birthday. (18 May 2025, livemint.com) The Bible warns against oppressing the poor, the vulnerable, the powerless, and the defenceless. (Proverbs 22:22-23)
Profit-driven: Most business establishments are pursuing profits, using ruthless methods, and compromising the welfare of their employees. At the same time, consumers demand more services for a lower price. Hence, the companies function in a vicious cycle of cutting costs and satisfying the consumers. The customer is the king, while the company stakeholders sell off the employees as slaves of systems like algorithms. The technology is used as a mask to hide the atrocities, citing helplessness in the decision-making. The bible warns against the oppression of neighbors (laborers/employees) and exploitation for profit. (Leviticus 19:13) Jeremiah warns against injustice and unrighteousness by underpaying or depriving the workers of wages. (Jeremiah 22:13) Workers are deprived of their rights and dignity, while the rich extract and exploit them. The Christian approach is not to deprive the dignity of the workers, making a reasonable profit, and providing excellent products and services to consumers. The Parable of Talents teaches that profit is important for sustainability. (Matthew 25:14-30)
People-driven: The entrepreneurs have three roles to play. First, stewards should create systems, structures, and infrastructure for effective production and management. The investments should bring dividends. It cannot be run with only losses. Second, like diligent servants, they should provide the best services and products for the customers and clients. Inadequate services and defective products will push them out of business. Third, like shepherds, they should care, nurture, provide, and guide the employees. The employees should be able to use their talents, gifts, and skills, and find a sense of satisfaction and purpose. The real challenge of leadership is to balance all three aspects of stewardship, servanthood, and shepherding.
Do I understand leadership as an integration of being a shepherd, steward, and servant?