Leading When Times Are Tough

This is a tough time to lead because it is a challenging time to make any kind of decision.  But when times are tough for leaders, they are even tougher for everyone else.  What we need are people to help make all of our lives easier--to ease some of the tension in the workplace.

Tyson Foods and Vermeer Manufacturing are two companies in a growing group that allocate funds to have a corporate chaplain on call.  Currently Tyson Foods has 121 chaplains providing services at 240 locations in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.  Vermeer's chaplain, Kevin Glesener, is on contract full-time with the Workplace and Family Life Services which is Vermeer's employee assistance program.  He is a United Methodist Pastor and certified as a military and corporate chaplain.

Why would companies want a chaplain on staff and what does this person do?  According to Glesener, he is on call 24/7 and has performed weddings, funerals, but he is primarily there to provide support and to listen.  He describes his position as "standing beside people in times of crisis such as accidents and deaths and walking through these times with them to provide support and encouragement.  It is important for me to just listen to them."  His role is not to advocate any particular religion, but to "meet people where they are" and to help them use their own belief system to cope. 

Since any type of crisis can negatively affect productivity, providing assistance to people in times of need can provide a positive impact on these outcomes.  Hiring this kind of support is a good leadership decision especially when times are tough.