— by Ryan Ramsdale

Being a believer in a large organization is a rich ministry opportunity with large ripples of influence. At the same time, it presents frequent challenges in your leadership as there are tasks to accomplish that will cause you to reflect on what your convictions are and define your approach to several choices and actions. 

God calls us to be vessels of love and mercy. He equips us to bear unique characteristics in the often competitive whirlwind of corporate life; but how do we exemplify this fruit when the strategy demands difficult action? The onset of corporate restructures has become so frequent in our society that it is just another discipline with an abundance of resources in print or supported by consulting firms. 

As a Christian leader in business, how do you navigate the difficult waters of restructuring? What is God’s view on this activity? How can we minister when our task is to carry out massive cuts in jobs impacting individuals, families and the health of the economy in our region? Here are a few situations and perspectives that help understand some of the truths in this complex problem. 

First, if the strategy to restructure is unethical, vindictive or reflects any other signs that challenge your convictions, you may be facing a bigger decision. What role can you play with a clear conscience? Dedicated prayer focussed on your ability to participate is necessary which may result in a difficult choice to depart from the organization. It is more likely however that an organization has to make this difficult decision to remain competitive or even avoid approaching insolvency. In either way the accountability falls on the Christian leader to execute on a plan that involves many unpleasantries. 

An important thing to keep in mind is that while a task may be daunting or unpleasant it does not mean that it’s inherently wrong. With such a complex, multi-faceted event as an organizational restructure there will always be a blend of positives and negatives. 

Life and leadership are always full of difficult decisions. 

A restructure is no different. It is the next challenge to pass through and like all challenges requires deep connection to the Spirit on a moment by moment basis as the event approaches and passes. Knowing that you have done your part in line with the Spirit will reassure you of your actions. 

God is in control. 

We are not the ones who need to ensure everything will work out perfectly for everyone involved. While we have the opportunity to provide generosity in severances and support services, God loves the affected individuals more than we can and has better things intended for them whatever that looks like. 

Don’t personalize the event. 

Many times, regardless of how agnostic restructures claim to be, names were chosen through some sort of rating process. Perhaps as the leader you had this direct accountability to choose who stays and who goes. Often performance histories, and prior results are contributing factors to forming the team of the future. If you are saying farewell to historical low-performers have a clean heart by ensuring you take no pleasure in “settling the score” for any past aggravation their performance has caused. This cannot be about revenge for inconveniences in your life and career. Ask God for wisdom and direction as this sensitive selection process is made. 

Understand the deep roots of value and self-worth in human kind. 

While the loss of career can become a crippling event, know that truth is God’s will for each person involved. Whether the person on the other side of the desk is aware of it or not yet, their value is not defined by the job they are loosing or will gain in the future. This step may play a significant part in their search for the deeper fulfilment from a relationship with Jesus. With that said, understand you aren’t doing them any favours either, but you should also recognize that you are not making a statement that you believe they are of no value. If you approach the exit 

planning and conversation with an appreciation, even love for their value, your ministry of grace will shine through the grey-cloud of the restructure. 

Pray for each person. 

Pray deeply for each person who you will be saying farewell to by name as well as their family members whenever possible. Your desire for God’s best for each person will be a fuel that displays a supernatural mercy in an otherwise heartless event.

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[ Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash ]