Page 130 - The Bible On Leadership

116 THE BIBLE ON LEADERSHIP

only to ‘‘peter out’’ for lack of ongoing encouragement. In Hebrews
3:13, the early Christians are urged to ‘‘encourage one another daily, as
long as it is called Today.’’ Paul made a point of reminding his followers
that ‘‘I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to
you.’’ (Acts 20:18) The more difficult the task, the more important
ongoing encouragement becomes. The wisest biblical leaders knew this
instinctively, and the best modern leaders are also masters at encourage-
ment, not just at periodic ‘‘rah-rah’’ sessions, but in their everyday ac-
tions.
Dennis Bakke and Roger Sant of AES realize that it would be impos-
sible for them to actually carry out, or even lead, all the tasks necessary
to run a huge power company. Their major role? Says Bakke, ‘‘We’re
the chief encouragers. We celebrate AES people. We attend orientations
and plant openings. We give the speeches at five-year anniversary par-
ties.’’
Sant is quick to add that encouragement adds daily meaning to the
work. ‘‘People always say they don’t have time to celebrate because
they’re too busy, but stopping and remembering is really important.
What is work if you don’t see the meaning in it? You have to celebrate
the meaning in it.’’ 8
It’s one thing to encourage employees when things are going well. It
can take even more fortitude for a leader to encourage his people in the
face of physical and emotional adversity. When ice storms hit in Que-
bec, Charles Heimbold of Bristol-Meyers Squibb didn’t just cluck his
tongue from his comfortable office in the United States. Instead, he was
‘‘on the phone right away to find out what happened to our people,
and making sure we’re getting emergency supplies up there. They can
see that I am as committed to my coworkers and to our success as they
are.’’ Heimbold was in essence saying to his employees, ‘‘You are in
9
need. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do.’’ To manage others’ per-
formance, a leader has to perform reliably himself.
Barnabas, one of Jesus’ disciples, was originally called Joseph, but he
was given this new name, which meant ‘‘son of encouragement.’’ A
modern-day ‘‘daughter of encouragement’’ is Anita Roddick of The
Body Shop. Roddick encourages her employees not just to achieve