Leadership: The 14 Success Principles of JobSample

5. Respect for Others

Following on the heels of fair treatment of all employees, Job expands his view to include relating to others. 

Job rightly reminds us all that every person is created by God, and therefore deserves the same level of respect as another, regardless of their position, function, or contribution to an organization. 

Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?  – Job 31:15

Although Job held ultimate authority in his leadership –  without a board of directors or shareholders to report to –he did hold himself accountable to God. Recognizing that God gave life to each human being and that God holds equal value for each individual gave rise to his fifth principle for leadership and business: “Respect for Others.”

Job’s view that all people are equal, reflects exactly the teachings of God in the very beginning of the Bible:

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  – Genesis 1:27

with additional perspective provided in the New Testament:

…in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  – Philippians 2:3b-4

Although Job was the all-powerful owner/manager, his twin principles of “Fair Employment” and “Respect for Others” most certainly affected the way he dealt with employees (servants and slaves, at the time). Treating each person as God’s handiwork was likely not the norm among his fellow business owners, but was key to how Job chose to run his enterprise and surely also found favor with God.

You are called to do the same today, placing equal value on and showing respect to each and every person you deal with, irrespective of their position, background, or personality. Doing so shows Christ to others in your workplace, especially when culture does the opposite. 

Reflection / Application  

1. An organizational structure can easily make some people feel better than others. Have you experienced this in your leadership? How?  
2. Today’s human resource policies try to teach diversity acceptance as a way to help eliminate discrimination and inequality. How do those policies fall short of Job’s simple principle of respect because all people are made by God?  
3. The world today rewards leaders and high performers, at the risk of ignoring solid contributors and others. What do you do to help all members of your team feel valued?