Company managers will often say things like, “Our employees are our greatest assets,” but the rank and file don’t always feel the love. An annual Employee Appreciation Day can go a long way toward building a culture where the worker bees feel wanted, respected, and fairly compensated. Every company hopes that all employees will give 100 percent all the time and go that extra mile for customers. The truth is, however, that resentful employees are much more likely to do only the minimum. They can provide at best a mediocre customer experience, and their grumbling can poison the workplace atmosphere.

Jesus told a story about a boss and his expectations. He entrusted a significant amount of capital into the hands of key lieutenants and then left it to their own energy, initiative, and hard work to grow that investment. After a time the owner returned, analyzed the business results, and called in his first lieutenant: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21).

Although Jesus’ parable wasn’t intended primarily for business training, his story nevertheless shows good management practice: the boss trusted his workers, didn’t micromanage, let them do things their way, paid attention to their performance, praised them, and promoted them.

Do you manage others? What are you doing that shows that your workers are your greatest asset?