The 1999 book ‘First, Break All the Rules’ with the catchy subtitle ‘What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently’ explored how to stop good employees from leaving a company. Based on over 80,000 interviews with managers collected over 25 years, the answer boiled down to this: treat employees as individuals, focus on strengths and talents rather than trying to fix weaknesses and find ways to measure, count and reward outcomes.
So how does Jesus measure up? In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ I remember meeting a man who was intrigued by these words and wanted to know more about a leader who cared so deeply for his followers. He decided to follow Jesus, and his decision cost him dear – he lost family, friends, possessions and almost his life – but Jesus had inspired such devotion that he didn’t care.
Perhaps not surprising then that after 2,000 years Jesus still has over 2 billion followers, with more joining every day.