7 They replied, "If
today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them
a favorable answer, they will always be your servants." 8 But Rehoboam rejected the
advice the elders gave him
16 When all Israel saw
that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king:
"What share do we have in David,
what part in Jesse's son?
To your tents, O Israel!
Look after your own house, O
David!"
So the Israelites went home.
1 Kings 12: 7, 8, 16
Loyalty is produced when those with us feel listened to, ministered to,
and that they have a share in our success. John Lewis is one of the few
department stories that seems to be thriving in recession. This is in
part due to the fact that the company is "owned" by all its employees.
All are expected to feedback and suggest ways of improving the store,
and all get a percentage of the profits each year. Staff work hard and
with enthusiasm as well as looking for innovation because they have a
direct share in its success. Staff turnover is also considerably lower
than elsewhere.
These principles apply to how we lead our businesses and churches, but also how we lead our families and our marriages. Does our spouse feel listened to? Do our children understand the benefit to them in doing the washing up?
