Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- April 5, 2012
“Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.” Proverbs 26:10
It is hard to hire just the right person, for the right role, at the right time. Most of the time it is better to leave a position vacant than to fill it prematurely with the wrong person. Your hiring process needs to be rigorous, so the probability of success is high. For example, be extremely cautious in hiring someone just because you are comfortable with them; or they are a friend. Relationships are at risk when work is in the mix.
Familiarity can push against accountability, and, if necessary, the ability to fire a friend. So take your time to hire someone. Engage them only after prayerful, thorough due diligence, and team consent. Otherwise the opportunity for foolish behavior and wounded relationships increases. Staff suffers under the chronic failures of fools who flail away in unfocused activity.
“Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.” Deuteronomy 24:14
This is why time, talent and testing are necessary to determine if there is alignment between the prospective employee and the organization. Temperament, skills, and emotional intelligence assessment are objective tools that give a three-dimensional perspective of the prospective team member. Someone may be a genius with spreadsheets and numbers, but lacks the emotional maturity to handle conflict, and/or the ability to communicate well.
Training can shore up some skills, and experience can educate, but raw talent and integrity is necessary for outstanding outcomes. Make sure you hire for results, but results that rise from the right reasons. Wise hires come with time, and have the character and track record of success to exceed employer expectations. Pray for people who will make their peers more productive, and who will elevate excellence within the enterprise. Pray for God’s hand in your hiring, and validate your intuition with a proven process of checks and balances.
“Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.” Proverbs 20:18
Prayer: What role do I need to fill next, and who can help me define the best hiring process?
Related Readings: Exodus 18:13-27, Matthew 20:1-16; Luke 15:15-17
Post/Tweet this today: Relationships are at risk when work is in the mix. #work #friends
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If only Jesus had thought this way. Then He could have weeded out Judas! But Jesus didn’t think this way. He picked the lowest of the low. Those who were likely to be loyal. The hurt and broken that He could bring up in the love of God. If He had applied the human wisdom you’re masquerading here as God’s, we woulnnt have made it into the Kingdom.
Hire wisely, but with the awareness that God calls us to use everything He gives us for Kingdom purpose. Often this means sacrificing productivity for the healing He will bring one of His sheep through your willigness to trust in Him, risk, and love. Seek first the Kingdom.