Lessons From "Undercover Boss"

Over the last few months, I have looked forward to watching a particular Sunday evening program. I wasn't sure how it would play out becuase, at first, I believed it to be just another quirky reality show. Boy, was I ever wrong! This show has touched me and solidified my beliefs on leadership. It has confirmed my commitment to treating others under my authority with dignity, respect and as a "soul which Christ died for." So, what in the world is this show that has had such a moving impact upon me? It is a CBS show called "Undercover Boss." This is a program where a CEO/President of a major corporation goes "undercover" in their own company to see how things "really are" within the company. The boss gets to see how employees live, how regulations and policies "affect" their workloads, stress levels and home life. The boss goes in with lights and cameras posing as if he is an entry level worker being "documented" for the company so the employees don't suspect a thing. You may ask "so what?" Well, the riveting part has been the emotional explosion at the end of the program. The President/CEO fully realizes what the average worker goes through to make a living. The sacrifices they make and the struggles they face to just accomplish day-to-day tasks and requirments for their families. They are usually astounded at the amount of dedication they put into their jobs and how loyal they are to the company product. This, in addition, to giving their all to their family regardless if they are a single parent, having to raise a special-needs child, or in debt up over their head. The bottom line is simple: All this information about their employees, how their jobs and commitments impact them, and what they are truly made of would NOT have been revealed had the boss not gone out to personally see it for himself. THE FACT IS with leadership you HAVE to get out from behind the desk and GET TO KNOW YOUR EMPLOYEES! They are human and need to know you care for them and are concerned about their needs as much as you are about the company performance figures. People cared-for are people who will care for the company. If you want to be a successful leader with a "mission-accomplishing" buisness then get to know your people on a personal basis and then take a vested interest in their lives outside of the buisness. You can never lose when serving the feltneeds of others. It will lead to other opportunities...such as, maybe, presenting the Gospel and introducing Jesus to them personally. 1 Peter 5:2-4 says, "Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor." Just one last thing...when you become invovled in the lives of your people do it openly...and not "undercover."