Another aspect that is critical to effective leadership is the importance of making everyone in the organization a leader. Jack Welch, long-time CEO of General Electric, observed that it is usually the person doing the actual work who knows the right answer. He commented that it was "embarrassing to reflect that for probably eighty or ninety years, we've been dictating equipment needs and managing people who know how to do things much better and faster than we did." The fact is, however, that few organizations have workforces that truly participate in management decisions. Given the overwhelming data that this practice produces better results, it is surprising that so few companies do it. A Christ-based leader who makes everyone a leader must take the attitude that he or she does not have all of the answers and that "ordinary" workers should not only be listened to, but given pertinent, understandable information about company policies and finances that influence their work. Some CEOs fear that adopting this philosophy will be perceived by some as giving up power. The reality, however, is that by such practice one does not give up power, but wisely apportions it. The key, in Welch's words, is "to have the right people solving problems, no matter where they are located geographically or hierarchically." As Christians, we should intuitively understand that every employee has value and purpose. The Apostle Paul says, "In humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4). I remind myself of this every day by reading a note, taped permanently to my desk, that asks, "What have I learned from others today?"
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