Is your employer rich or poor?

Have you heard the story of a father from a very wealthy family who took his son to the country to show him how poor people live? 

The father and son visited a run-down farm for three days.

Upon returning from their trip, the father asked his son, “Can you tell me how poor people live?”

The son answered:

“I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a running creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. We have half an acre and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends around their property to protect the.”

The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Don’t be sad that we are poor Dad – I still have you.”

Like the father in this story, some employers frame a rather narrow view of becoming wealthy and successful through the lens of buildings, facilities, land, resources and the like. 

Sadly, too many case studies exist of employers losing focus on the 'richness' of the people inside their bricks and mortar.

So what’s the focus within your organisation?

Does your employer/organisation consider itself ‘rich’ because of buildings, facilities, land and/or resources?

How does your employer/organisation view the ‘richness’ of your wonderful students/customers/clients, supportive stakeholders and compassionate, hardworking staff?