Contrary to popular culture today, Christianity assumes a standard of truth and an obligation for all humans to live congruent with this standard. For Christians, Jesus embodies the standard of truth and the Bible is the best source of revelation about Jesus. Therefore, Jesus as revealed in the Bible and historically understood by the church is the truth. Consequently, the truth, as a standard for deportment, is best derived from Christ’s teachings and example as revealed in Scripture.

One aspect of the truth is the role of authority. All authority is rooted in Christ and delegated authority is derived from Christ. Those who are delegated to exercise authority over others are charged to live according to the truth and help those whom they oversee to live according to the truth. Modeling and purveying the truth are the responsibility of parents, teachers, civil authorities, and organizational authorities.

Organizational leaders and managers should excel as students and practitioners of the truth. They must also become wise teachers and coaches of those whom they oversee. And they must hold those whom they oversee accountable to the truth.

The culture today is prone to value independence as a virtue and therefore submission to authority is not highly regarded. This makes accountability problematic. And without accountability, correction is difficult. Nevertheless, correcting people (subordinates and associates) who have wandered from the truth is the responsibility of every organizational leader and manager.

An example of this responsibility is seen in the text above. These closing verses of the Epistle of James are an imperative. The standard of correction is contained in the truth. The so-called best practices of organizational behavior (standard of deportment) must, therefore, be rooted and grounded in the truth as revealed in the Bible. In other words, the Bible is the handbook for organizational behavior.

Consequently, organizational leaders and managers must correct subordinates and associates who wander from best practices as defined by the Bible. This is essential for building excellent organizations. There is no guarantee that a wandering person will respond to correction and there may be limited options for discipline. Nevertheless, there is a mandate on leaders and managers to hold subordinates and associates accountable to the truth. And when correction is received, there will be great benefits to all.

Here is your business tip. Wise leaders and managers understand that the standard for best practices is defined by the truth of the Bible. To build excellent organizations requires alignment with the truth. It is therefore imperative that all stakeholders are accountable to deportment defined by the truth. When stakeholders deviate from this standard, correction must be administered. Correction is not easy or pleasant, nor is it necessarily successful every time. But building a culture aligned with the truth is an essential mark of wise leadership and management and is the predicate for building excellent organizations.