Story
How do you overcome near-failure and ruinous betrayal by key managers?
In the People Business
L&R Pallet Services
At L&R Pallet Services in Denver, James and Carine Ruder have rebuilt an environment of trust since they stopped seeing their employees as a commodity. A spiritually-inspired softening of the heart enabled them to see their employees’ lives in a new light. The company is now truly committed to caring for the needs of its very diverse employees.
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Guided Reflection
Reflecting on the Story
- Brokenness and betrayal are part of the L&R story. It took time to rebuild trust. How did L&R heal and start trusting people again?
- What role did a transformation-of-the-heart play in L&R’s story? How did that transformation manifest itself?
Connecting to your Work
- Does your company tend to see the best, or worst, in its employees? How is this manifested?
- Have you ever been treated “like a commodity” at work? What was it like? How did it make you feel? How did you and your co-workers react to being treated as commodities?
- Would the caring employee practices in the film work in your company? Why/why not?
- What might you/your company learn from L&R’s story?
Personal Application
- When you look at employees, what do you see? Why?
- What do you believe about human nature?
- How does your heart need to be transformed?
Read: James K.A. Smith’s “Redemption” from Comment. He discusses God’s active work restoring all things… including “systems and structures of flourishing.”
Read: “A Condensed Overview of what the Bible says about Work ” from the Theology of Work project
Lord, help me see my co-workers/employees through your eyes. Please heal my own brokenness. Use me. Help me to trust and live into the unfolding reality of your restorative work in the world. Amen