A CHALLENGE OF LEADERSHIP
November 27, 2019

Perfect Paper Co. is a growing paper company with 30 employees. One particular employee simply isn't meeting expectations. Their performance is sub-par, and unfortunately this is causing everyone else in the organization to pick up the slack. This employee appears to be giving their best effort and understands the negative consequences that their work is having on the organization. However, they continue to underperform. If you are the owner of Perfect Paper, what do you do?


For many business leaders, the hardest part of leadership is determining the moment when someone should be fired. Employees with harmful character or ill intentions must be let go. However, separating with an employee the right way, especially one with high character, can be a difficult challenge. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..." How do Christians build someone up while in the process of letting them go? It starts by doing your due diligence… keeping the employee and the company's best in mind.


Here are four questions to ask yourself to help navigate the challenge of separating ties with an employee.


Have I asked the employee how I can help them?

When underperformance is an ongoing issue, the best employers ask their employees, "How can I help you?" An employee's poor performance at work can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as their relationship with co-workers or their current situation at home. When you look below the surface, you can better understand your employees and their needs. This doesn't mean firing an employee is off the table. It means you will have asked the right questions to gain critical clarity and insight to make a more informed decision.


Are my expectations clear?

As a rule, when expectations are unclear, then accountability is unfair. It is easy to jump to conclusions before you realize that an employee was confused by what you required of them. These moments of frustration can be avoided if you maintain clarity in your expectations from the outset. However, once your expectations are made clear, then it is now your Christian duty to hold that someone accountable for their actions.


Is their behavior hurting the company or other employees?

One of the clearest signs of when to terminate an employee is when their actions are directly and repeatedly hurting the company or other employees. As a Christian leader, if you fail to confront obvious issues that tear down the organization, you are failing to lead. Not only that, but the individual's negative behavior may be the result of a work environment that doesn't match their skillset. As leaders, you must be willing to objectively examine the facts and make the tough decisions that promote the well being of the company as well as the struggling employee.


Will the employee be surprised that I decided to let them go?

In most cases, when you decide to let someone go, the moment you decide to do so should be never be the first difficult conversation between the two of you. Remember, letting someone go should never be reactive. Avoid surprises. Document and initiate conversations that lay out a positive path forward, as well as the negative consequences of continual poor performance.



Summary

Many Christian leaders believe that Christian leadership requires you to be nice 100% of the time. Everyone is called to be accountable and responsible for their actions, words, and attitudes. If leaders do not hold people to this standard, then they are not leading.

Although letting an employee go is never fun, it can be a necessary step in helping the company and the individual become the best they can be. As you navigate the challenges of leadership, never forget that tough love is still a form of love. Truly loving others is often hard and inconvenient, but it is a part of your calling as a Christian leader.

Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs as Agents of Change

By Elizabeth Rivas • March 14, 2023
Faith-driven entrepreneurs, like our Branches Worldwide Leaders, can play a significant role in positively impacting their communities through their businesses. These individuals have a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in the world, which can drive them to create innovative solutions to community problems and to lead with integrity and compassion. One way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by creating jobs and economic opportunities (like AJ in South Africa ). By starting and growing successful businesses, they can provide employment for local residents and stimulate economic growth. This can help to reduce poverty and improve the overall well-being of the community. Additionally, faith-driven entrepreneurs may choose to pay fair wages and provide good working conditions, which can help to improve the lives of their employees and their families. Another way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by addressing social issues through their businesses. For example, they may choose to start a non-profit organization that provides services to those in need, as Alice has done for girls and women in Kenya. Such entrepreneurs may also choose to incorporate social and environmental responsibility into their for-profit business models. This can include implementing sustainable practices, fair trade policies and supporting local charities, which can help to improve the lives of people in their communities. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as role models for others in their communities, particularly for young people. By demonstrating the importance of hard work, perseverance, and integrity, they can inspire others to pursue their own business dreams and to strive for success in their own lives. Furthermore, their demonstration of faith in action through their businesses can serve as a powerful example of how one can live out one's values and beliefs in the world. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as leaders in their communities. They use their influence and resources to bring about positive change through various initiatives, such as supporting local schools, promoting environmental conservation, and working to improve the overall quality of life for their community members. Our Leader, David , is doing exactly this in his international school in India. Our Branches Worldwide Leaders are proving the multitude of positive effects that faith-driven entrepreneurs can have in their communities. From providing direct assistance through jobs or providing services to those in need to being a source of inspiration for others, these entrepreneurs are creating change that will reverberate across geography and generations. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .

Merging Business Mentorship and Christian Mentorship

By Elizabeth Rivas • January 30, 2023
Business mentorship can be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to grow and succeed in their careers. A business mentor is an experienced individual who can provide guidance, support, and advice to help you navigate the often complex and unpredictable world of business. Meanwhile, Christian mentorship is a type of mentorship that involves a Christian mentor providing guidance, support, and advice to a mentee, with a focus on spiritual and moral development. Branches Worldwide Mentors serve as both business and Christian Mentors. We believe that faith and business can not only coexist, but that they can mutually strengthen each other. Our Mentors not only guide our Leaders in pragmatic elements of business, but also in their spiritual journeys. One of the key benefits of business mentorship is the opportunity to learn from someone who has first-hand knowledge of the field. Our Mentors share their own experiences, insights, and lessons learned, helping our Leaders avoid common pitfalls and to make better decisions. This can be especially useful for those who are just starting out in their career, as they may not have the same level of experience or knowledge as more seasoned professionals. Our Mentors also serve as role models, offering guidance and support as the Leader navigates their own faith journey. They may provide biblical teaching and encouragement, as well as offer practical advice and application of the scriptures. Another benefit of merging Christian and business mentorship is the opportunity to network and build professional relationships with other entrepreneurs of faith. Mentors can introduce Leaders to other like-minded industry professionals, giving Leaders the chance to expand their network and strengthen their spiritual development. Overall, mentorship is an invaluable resource for Christians looking to grow in their faith and navigate the challenges of life and business. We at Branches Worldwide are honored to work with a number of such individuals. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .
Share by: