There are many ways to treat those you lead. You might speak to them dismissively, as if they are beneath you. You could attempt to squeeze every ounce of labor and effort out of them to further your purposes. You may simply relate to them with sublime disregard, as if they had no more humanity than your car or dishwasher. Or, you may be a demanding and demeaning taskmaster who is generous with insults and parsimonious with gratitude.
The manner in which you treat others has enormous implications for how others work with you. People may be in your employ, but that does not necessitate that they give you their best effort. There may be grumbling in the ranks. You may suffer a high turnover of employees and volunteers. Your reputation may be tarnished in the community.
However, when you treat those who work with you well, you draw out others’ best efforts. People will be loyal and more willing to go the extra mile. Over a lifetime of treating others with respect and generosity, there will be many who are grateful they had the opportunity to work with you.
How well do you treat those who work with you? Would you want a boss like yourself? What adjustments might you need to make so your treatment of those who work with you honors Christ?