Management by Objectives
For 35 years, I had the privilege of working for Hewlett-Packard. HP was one of the world’s largest computer and instrument manufacturers, known for its diverse product line, particularly printers. I held several roles during my tenure at HP, but early in my career, I was taught the firm’s 7 corporate objectives, which set out the company’s values and goals
Hewlett-Packard’s management philosophy was distinctive compared with that of many other firms. They believed in “Management by Objective (MBO)” rather than “Management by Directive”. MBO reinforced the belief that, as far as possible, each individual and each organization would make their own plans to achieve the company’s objectives. This approach was supported by a goal-and-plan integration methodology called “Hoshin Kanri,” which combined the plans and goals of all people and businesses in HP into a single plan. The result of this approach was that it tapped the company’s creative minds to develop unique solutions to problems and ideas for growing the firm.
Management by Walking Around
Another distinctive management approach was called “Management By Walking Around” or MBWA for short. This was distinctive because in most companies, employees were expected to go to the manager’s office for meetings. With MBWA, the manager goes to where the employee works, spends time with them, understands the issues they face in their job, and listens to their recommendations for improvement. This approach communicated great value to employees and also generated many better ideas. It was also far less threatening and fostered much more cooperative communication between employees and management.
Jesus used these same two management strategies.
As I thought about these management strategies at HP, I realized that Jesus did the same thing.
In my devotional from last month, I discussed how the Lord makes disciples. One of the key ways He does this is by giving us results and objectives to accomplish, and He expects us to use our creative minds to work out how to achieve them and to continually talk with Him to understand His ideas and recommendations for achieving those results. This sounds very similar to Management by Objectives.
Jesus also utilized the Jewish approach to training His disciples. In Jesus’ time, a rabbi would call a person to become a disciple. This approach to training was somewhat like a PhD programme today, or an advanced learning programme. It was not for everybody; it was only for a few. A person who became a disciple of a rabbi would:
- Live with that rabbi,
- Learn what that rabbi taught,
- Learn how that rabbi lived,
- Did what the rabbi did.
Eventually, the rabbi would release them to make disciples, to teach what the rabbi had taught, and to make other disciples. It really was “Management By Walking Around” with the rabbi.
Is it still possible to use these management approaches?
Some might ask whether it is still possible to use these management approaches in this ever-changing, fast-paced marketplace, amid the challenges of a virtual workforce and the introduction of an AI workforce. I would suggest that it is not only possible but mandatory. If we intend to use our employees’ full creative potential, we need to make them self-directed. The most effective soldiers on the battlefield are those who can operate independently and do not need to be directed by their superior commanders. Jesus knew this, and the results of his three-year investment in His disciples produced 12 people who changed the world.
As I thought about these facts, I came up with some challenges I wanted to put to the church.
1. Pastors/Leaders
The first is for Pastors and church leaders. You are the managers of your churches and are responsible for discipling your flock. I would suggest that you review your management strategy and test it to see whether you are achieving the following.
- Are you clearly outlining to your flock what objectives Jesus wants them to accomplish?
- Are you creating a discipleship programme that trains those who choose to become disciples today to become people who can actually make disciples themselves?
- Are you practising MBWA, or do you expect your flock to come to you?
2. Believers
The second group is for believers as a whole. I encourage you to examine your heart and ask whether you are spiritually growing or not. If you’ve been a believer for 20 years, do you have 20 years of spiritual growth, or just one year repeated 20 times?
Jesus calls us to follow Him. We need to decide to become disciples. All too often, people become believers by saying a prayer, learning some church doctrine, going to church, and focusing on eventually going to heaven. I don’t see Jesus teaching that. I read that He told us to make disciples. To do that, we need to become disciples ourselves.
Will you answer His call when He says, “Follow me” ?
Yours,
Bill Dupley & The Freedom Centre Team