In every industry and organization there is a pecking order – an implied hierarchy reminiscent of the caste systems prevalent in some cultures around the world in which people are assigned to a socio-economic class based on their family of origin, with some people in higher classes and some assigned to lower classes. Why do we tolerate this grown-up version of elementary school antics in our organizations?
Why do Some People feel the need to be above Other People, or to create groups or cliques for the purpose of identifying those perceived to be greater vs. lesser? Why can’t we all belong without needing a pecking order of counterfeit superiority? Many places in scripture are clear that all people are made in the image of God and created equal. We read in Malachi 2:10, “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another…” (ESV2) And likewise, Job says, “Did not He who made me in the womb make my servant, and did not the same One fashion us both in the womb?” (Job 31:15 AMP1).
If we are all created equal, then the attempt to make Other People less and Some People more is an exchange where we attempt to take something away from Other People and give that something to Some People. Let me show you using simple algebra:
(Other People) – X = (Some People) OR (Other People) = (Some People) + X
Why do Some People feel the need to take something (X) from Other People…and what is that something? Is it perceived value, dignity, esteem?
Does it work?
All of us play a role in resisting the idea when it shows up in our spheres of influence. As leaders, we must be careful what we tolerate within our organizational culture. What we tolerate, we promote. (Heads up: you will one day have to answer for how you treated people, and I believe this will be part of that discussion.)
If you are secure enough in who you are, you don’t need to put others down to defend your worth. You know your value – not in a counterfeit, puffed up, arrogant sense but in a way that recognizes you don’t need to put others down to prop yourself up. You are valued for being uniquely you…made by your Creator on purpose for a purpose. Your value is not dependent on the value of others or the value others attempt to ascribe to you.
Another Way
Rather than attempting to make the proverbial haves and have-nots, we could focus instead on the old adage that “A rising tide lifts all boats.” What if instead of trying to take something away from one group (Other People) to give it to another group (Some People) we instead tried to build up All People? What if instead of trying to wrestle with the zero-sum game of earthly algebra we instead looked to God who is limitless and Good Enough (see blog post #25 and 27). He alone is able to add good to both sides of the equation…no winners and losers, no haves and have-nots.
(Other People) + X = (Some People) + X
It’s powerful when we realize we can build another person up without taking anything away from ourselves. All People have value and every individual is important to the success of the whole. When we recognize this, we all will benefit.
Who can you build up this week?
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1 Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.
2The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV®), 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.