15.1: Biblical Insight
Applying the Bible to Business
In the vocation of management, we are entrusted with significant responsibility. The Holy Scriptures show us that, with this responsibility, much will be required of us, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). The vocation of management is important, without good management, complex enterprises tend to become chaotic in ways that threaten their very existence. Good management brings a degree of order and consistency to key dimensions like the quality and profitability of products. Management is about coping with complexity (Kotter, 2001).
In Chapter 15, We will look at how managers need to understand and own the planning processes of an organization. This includes the strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation process, which can be complex and demanding. Planning works best not as a substitute for direction setting but as a complement. A competent planning process serves as a useful reality check on direction-setting activities. Likewise, a competent direction-setting process provides a focus in which planning can be realistically carried out. It helps clarify what kind of planning is essential and what is irrelevant (Kotter, 2001).
Kotter, J. P. (2001). "What Leaders Really Do," Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
New International Version . (2011). "BibleGateway.com," http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/ .