When I started out in an office job, I had the responsibility to input customer information to be processed by a computer. My number of processed transactions was quite high. However, my error rate was also high. One day my supervisor showed me how every error had to be manually retyped. In those days it created quite a bit of additional work for colleagues. Seeing the reality of the extra work and the consequences of my mistakes made a lasting impression.  I began to focus more effectively and slowed down my speed to eliminate errors.

Delegation and accountability is important for any business. We see a clear example of delegation in scripture. “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.’” (Luke 9:1-3, NIV)  The scriptures are clear that Jesus gave the disciples power and authority to drive out demons and cure disease.  He also told them what to take and what not to take.

Most of us have interviewed potential employees with very little work background. These may be individuals fresh out of school or those who have been out of the workforce for a period of time. Trying to discern a person's qualifications without work experience is a challenge.

Establishing the correct wage for staff is never easy.  We see an example in Scripture, “But Laban said to him, ‘If now it pleases you, stay with me; I have divined that the Lord has blessed me on your account.’” (Genesis 30:27-28, NIV).

I've learned over time that when we fail to meet an employee's reasonable expectations and salary requirements, they move on. For example, I interviewed a prospective salesperson who wanted to make $200,000 within 12 months. Given that this person just finished school with little experience, I knew that making half the expected salary was unrealistic. If offered a position, the expectations would not have been met.

A question I deal with frequently is how much freedom to give staff and how to make sure that staff does not misuse this freedom. King David wrote after hearing from the Lord, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near to you.” (Psalm 32:8-9, NIV)