Please respond to the following classmates with 250 Words EACH, at least 1
reference EACH & a biblical viewpoint each.
This is the original post. You do NOT have to respond to the original post : Think
about two environments you have experienced.
1. The first environment is one that did not confrontthe brutal facts, where the
people (and the truth) were not heard.
2. The second environment is one that did confrontthe brutal facts, where
people had a tremendous opportunity to be heard.
What accounts for the difference between the 2 environments? If you do not have
this life experience you are not off the hook—you will need to interview a leader who
has these experiences and report on that. What does the contrast teach us about
how to construct an environment where the truth is heard? Using strong Biblical
support, explain how you relate this to your Christian Worldview. Does your Christian
Worldview help you develop this environment? How does this relate to the ethical
components of the Meese and Ortmeier text?
1. Elizabeth Diaz - Collins (2001) states that “one of the single most de-motivating
actions you can take is to hold out false hopes, soon to be swept away by events” (p.
73). This perfectly sums up the two environments that I have personally experienced.
I would first like to start off by describing the second environment that did confront
the brutal facts and people had the opportunity to be heard, which is my current place
of employment. When I first began working here in 2017, the business was
successful, employees were happy, and we enjoyed our work. Our employers, a
married couple, were great leaders and very hands on. They constantly asked us
questions to better understand our concerns and encouraged dialogue in an effort to
improve our processes as Collins (2001) describes. I personally felt like I always had
the opportunity to be heard and felt as if my employer was always willing to hear the
truths their employees had to share. Towards the end of the companies most
successful year, the environment quickly turned into one that did not confront the
brutal facts and where people and the truth were no longer heard.
Ng and Thorpe (2010) warn, there can often be conflicts that arise in family-owned
business that can hinder their development, which was exactly what we began to
see.
Unfortunately, my employers began to let their personal lives affect the day-to-day
operations of the business. They quickly became consumed in themselves and
began to neglect the company and their employees. Promises of promotions, raises,
and bonuses were abruptly rescinded. To avoid each other, our employers never
showed up to work and rarely replied to our efforts to communicate with them. They
became unwilling to hear our concerns and refused to address the plummeting
employee morale. Customers also began to realize that our once great leaders had
mentally checked out and the business began to suffer financially as well. Although,
both were in the same environment, the leaders clearly let the “noise and clutter” of
their personal lives “overshadow” what was best for their business which led to a
series of bad leadership decisions (Collins, 2001, p. 86).
I personally think it was the lack of honest communication that accounted for the
difference between the two environments. Meese and Ortmeier (2010) explain that
ethical communication includes the ability to be honest and truthful to those around
you, which is not only important in leadership but one of the pivotal foundations of
Christianity. The Bible teaches us that we should always strive to do what is
honorable, not only in the eyes of God but also in the eyes of man (2 Corinthians
8:21, English Standard Version). Although, in business the truth can often produce
undesirable results, it is important to avoid deceit as it can often lead to unethical
behavior (Meese & Ortmeier, 2010). As explained in Proverbs 20:17, deceit can
appear to be fair and pleasant to the eye but will ultimately cause more distress in the
long run. Therefore, it is important to construct an environment where the truth is
heard by being able to confront the brutal facts and to be willing to not ignore the
information employees are trying to share (Collins, 2001).
References:
Collins, J. (2001). Good to great: Why some companies make the leap and others
don’t. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN: 9780066620992.
Meese, E., & Ortmeier, P. (2010). Leadership, ethics, and policing: Challenges for
the 21st century. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 9780135154281.
Ng, W., & Thorpe, R. (2010). Not another study of great leaders: Entrepreneurial
leadership in a mid-sized family firm for its further growth and
development. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 16(5),
457-476.
2. Lauren Tucker- In the first environment there is a lot of tension between the
people. There is also a lot of hostility and anger that has built up. Typically with this
environment the workers tend to not be as motivated to complete their jobs and/or
the job becomes mundane and they soon leave. However, the second environment is
better conducive to productivity. It provides the foundation for success not only for
the company but also for the longevity of its workers. The workers feel appreciated
and heard and will go above and beyond for the company.
As children we are taught about honesty and this seems so easy; but as we grow
older, we recognize that business decisions sometimes are in conflict with our
values. In contrast from the first environment, honesty should never take a back seat
to business profits and in the first described environment, it would. In order to
construct and nurture a truthful environment a leader must be forthcoming and
truthful with his employees about everything. Leaders are responsible for setting the
standard of office/business culture and moral; therefore, honesty begets honesty.
(Hong, 2020) “A moral person who lacks moral leadership is perceived as weak and
lacking commitment to ethics. A moral leader who lacks integrity in their personal life
is seen as hypocritical which reduces their ethical authority in the workplace (Mabey,
Conroy, Blakeley, & de Marco, 2017).”
The Bible talks a lot about how much God values an honest man. In Proverbs 6
beginning in verse 16, the Bible talks about lying being one of the seven things God
hates. Scripture later in Philippians 4: 8-9 tells us to talk about things that are true,
honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and to give praise where praise is due.
Practicing these things will surround you with the peace of God. My personal
worldview is directed by what scripture says. I am a sinner by all means and will
make mistakes, but I highly value honesty and integrity and make my life choices
with people based on their levels of the two.
Reference:
Hong, S. (2020, February 27). The Importance of Honesty At Work. Retrieved
February 05, 2021, from https://thriveglobal.com/stories/the-importance-of-honesty-
at-work/
Mabey, C., Conroy, M., Blakeley, K., & De Marco, S. (2017). Having Burned the
Straw Man of Christian Spiritual Leadership, What Can We Learn from Jesus About
Leading Ethically? Journal of Business Ethics, 145(4), 757-769. doi:10.1007/s10551-
016-3054-5
PLEASE ONLY RESPOND TO THE TWO CLASSMATES!
1. Elizabeth Diaz
The conditions during the early stages exhibit favorable working conditions. We can see benefits and
appreciate it too. Among the notable advantages include the business enjoyed the multiplier effect, the
employees were self-motivated and multiplied the efforts and energy they put in the organization. The
employees have the right attitude, which is evident in the quality of services give to the customer. I agree
that the employees enjoyed works since the environment meant to maintain the positivity within them.
Happiness creates and explores creativity. The author, who is a worker, describes their management in
positive faith. This is owed to the good relations maintained between them. The flow of communication
and appreciation of employee's opinions is admirable. The employees took upon themselves to own the
success of the organization giving higher yields financially.
The conditions in this environment deteriorated fast. People and facts became alienated. It was marked
with employers ghosting their employees. The effective communication turned to no communication at
all. The employers became egocentric neglecting operations of the business. The quality of service
delivered to customers worsened, and they noticed. The customers alongside the management 'exited,' and
financial the industry crumbled down.
I agree that poor communication was the reason for the change in working environments; it was the link.
Honest communication, as explained by Meese and Ortmeier (2010), would have rescued the company.
The management would have humbled and addressed immediate conditions and issues the employees
raised.
Biblically, the scriptures set it right that "All you who are tired and burdened, come to me, and I will give
you rest." Take up my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and modest at heart, and your souls will
find peace Mathew 11:1-4. Did the management be keen on this, they would have shared their 'York' with
the employees, which would be lighter and beneficial to their organization.
Meese, E., & Ortmeier, P. (2010). Leadership, ethics, and policing: Challenges for the 21st
century. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. ISBN: 9780135154281.
New King James version.
2. Lauren Tucker
I agree that the first environment, which is unfair to employees, causes tension and unrest between
people, customers, management, or employees. Workers are only motivated to finish the day; delivering
quality service isn't their priority. At this point, the majority are ready to leave the organization and are
hunting for new opportunities. Unlike in the first, the second environment is set for productivity,
creativity, and growth. The energy around this environment is felt to be positive. Employees and
customers are motivated by each other. Workers feel appreciated and in command of the progress of the
organization.
Honest should not be sidelined to a profit-oriented business as seen in the first discussed environment; the
management sidelines this virtue imparted from a young age. The remedy for such a company to sprout
again should nurture a truthful climate ready to accommodate the customers and the internal staff's
opinions. Leaders are in charge of setting the tone for office/business culture and morality; hence,
integrity breeds honesty (2020, Hong).
In the scriptures o Ephesians 4:25, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to
your neighbor, for we are all members of one body." The neighbor in a business is your fellow worker
despite differences in fields. Practicing the art of putting aside lies falsehood and putting self-desires on
the front will create an environment for a productive business. I submitted in reference to the scripture
that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins in
humility and turn our ways, 'he' is and will forgive us. There is hope for improvement in difficult
environments, but only if there are a will and desire by individuals, especially the management.
Hong, S. (2020, February 27). The Importance of Honesty At Work. Retrieved February 05, 2021,
from https://thriveglobal.com/stories/the-importance-of-honesty-at-work/
New King James Version.
