It Depends!

Most of us are really fickle. We may pontificate on this issue or that but when it comes time to demonstrate our concern, often we throw in the towel because of how it impacts us. Yes, the modern approach for workers is to consider themselves as owner of their own small business. The name of this business is called ‘Me Inc.’. Because of all the changes in the world of business we are told that things like old-fashioned loyalty are no longer a part of the fabric of how things work. Ethical guidelines now rule the day and they give plenty of wiggle room so one can walk that fine line between right and wrong.

In fact, in many instances right and wrong have become very much dependent upon the circumstances at hand which means most people today live in a gray world with very little black and white to guide them. Typically, the only time wrong is established is when someone gets caught. I’m not trying to lay some kind of guilt trip but far too many of us have compromised nearly every principle imaginable for the sake of making a living or keeping our job.

I know a community just a couple hundred miles away where the people there for the most part consider themselves to be salt of the earth, God fearing, red, white, and blue Americans. They all lament the destruction of their little downtown area where people used to know everyone, talk, exchange ideas, and keep up with each other’s well being. Now the large retail center has gone from Mega to Super and all the stores and shops in the downtown area have disappeared. At first many locals worked at the big store, now the majority drive in from surrounding areas.

They can’t imagine how this happened. I find this to be amusing since every one of them are wearing clothes from the big store and no doubt that’s where they buy their groceries and other supplies. I’m sure some of them did their best to patronize the other small shops at first but in the end the lower prices won out. I’m not sure who is at fault but it certainly is wrong to complain about the loss of community and neighborhood and family whenever they did, in fact, help make the current situation what it is.

But this is our condition. We do, for the most part, run on what’s best for me while maybe trying to portray something quite different. We can excuse it and say all kinds of things but often it comes down to “self interest”, period, end of story. I well remember a great example of this from back in the 1980’s when we first had the restructurings as a result of the oil bust. Cut backs, reduction in force, and layoffs were the main feature of how companies responded to this crisis.

I was blessed to have many long-term employees in my organization and as rumors became official projects to determine who would have to go, the entire organization was on edge. As word leaked out about this package or that package and this formula or that formula, many would come to my office and plead for consideration. Some were actually moved to tears as they talked about what may or may not happen. A couple of guys in particular were on the bubble in terms of early retirement and they were constantly begging me to make sure they were taken care of. Once the program was announced they ended up with a very agreeable package that added years to their age and years to their service. They took the package and couldn’t have been happier especially considering the plight of so many cut with little in the way of long-term benefit or support.

About six months later I saw these two fellows at an annual shareholders meeting held in a downtown theatre. They came up to me and immediately began to complain and tell me how we needed to do something to cut costs in order to get the stock price up because part of their income was now dependent on dividends. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I reminded them that they both had spent many hours crying crocodile tears in my office, begging to not be cut loose, and imploring me to do whatever was needed to keep them on for at least a few more years. Wow! What a difference six months made!

But there again, that’s the way we are. This is the ‘Me Inc.’ personified. As believers we are called to a different standard. We are called to serve those who employ us with integrity and loyalty, regardless of their response. We are called to conduct ourselves in a way where there is not even a hint of the appearance of evil, much less multiple shades of gray. Do we always achieve these goals? No. But we will never even have a hope to see them become a reality if we aren’t willing to make the effort and live out what we believe, not just talk about it. Thanks, I needed this reminder and maybe you did too. More later…………………