Finding God in Corporate America - Part 2: Frank Blake (Former CEO of Home Depot)

Deep within each shepherd's heart lies the call to care for every sheep in personal ways. Nevertheless, I have to admit that it is easier said than done. Week-in and week-out, there are always meetings to attend, logistics to oversee and programs to plan. In the midst of the busyness, vision and calling can easily be drown and pushed aside. Fortunately, by the mercy of God, there are usually divine reminders along the journey that keep us in track. And this is exactly what happened on a Sunday morning few years back.

I remembered everything ran very smoothly that morning. However, as I saw groups after groups of kids arriving in the children's center, somehow, instead of seeing the kids as individuals, I saw crowds. I remember asking God, "This is not what I signed up for. I got called into the ministry wanting to minister to kids, but look at what I am doing now! Have I become a program manger instead of children's minister? Am I managing programs instead of tending sheep?" If so, I don't want to continue the path even if the ministry grows steadily. I remember a chill feeling creep up in my mind reminding me: Be mindful with our priorities, or else we can well be running a ministry that continues to grow and flourish as a result of human efforts but without God's presence. That thought dawned on me so hard. It was on that morning that I received a renewed vision from God: don't minister to the crowds, minister to individuals. This is a noble vision, but one that is very hard to achieve, especially in the mega church setting. How am I supposed to reach out to hundreds of volunteers and children with personal care?

"Don't minister to the crowds, minister to individuals" remained as mission impossible until I heard an interview of former CEO, Frank Blake, on Andy Stanley's leadership podcast. In the podcast, Frank discussed with Andy about the inverted pyramid concept (servant leadership), the skipped-level luncheon along with other precious leadership principles. It turned out that Frank had invited Andy as speaker to provide leadership training for Home Depot and had adopted Andy's leadership principles extensively in his company. It is amazing to see how the biblical principles be transferred into a corporation setting.

In the podcast, Frank mentioned that in his early days of being the Home Depot CEO, he made an effort to write personal notes to his associates to show that he cared for them. Home Depot has 350K employees and Frank spent his early days writing 100+ hand written note cards on a weekly base. Those numbers are unbelievable and jaw-dropping. As I typed these lines, I had to double and triple check to make sure I got the numbers right. Yes, it is remarkable not only to the audience, but even more so to his employees. Frank's associates wondered if those handwritten notes were filled with auto pen instead of authentic autograph. One of the associates even took the extra step to put the card in the water to test its validity. And as the ink came out, they realized it's for real.

When Frank's habit became known and got woven into the corporate culture, more and more managers took on the same initiative of using hand written notes to reach out to the associates. Some employees treasured such personal notes so much that they framed them for keepsake. The personal sense of touch helped Home Depot bring transformation. As Frank put it, "You would be surprised how much people have to say when they know you listen genuinely."

Frank's sharing touches me a great deal and makes me appreciate card-writing and gift-giving in a brand new way. If that level of personal touch can be administered in a corporate environment, how much more can we do it at the church setting! You and I may not have the prominent position as Frank's, but each of us has our unique circle of influence. It would be so powerful if we can all approach people around us with an observant eye; a compassionate heart, coupled with a sense of the personal touch at the appropriate moment. When we do that time and again, we can literally become the ambassador of divine presence reaching out and touching the people within your circle of influence that no one on this planet earth can. Random act of kindness may seem random; but it takes discipline and intentionality.

If you are interested to learn more about Frank Blake, below are a few relevant links.