“Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

I was interviewed a few times last week about the perks and comforts that Silicon Valley is once again lavishing on employees and whether or not this is necessary, and if it even works.  The answer is not simple because one size does not fit all and the challenges of supply and demand of talent drives many decisions as it relates to these extras.  But, I have always fallen back on the fact that none of the perks matter if a company doesn’t have a core message that resonates with prospective employees regarding the vision of the company, the vision for employees and how the company will be able to bring to life the professional and personal hopes and dreams of each and every employee.  That is what really matters.  If a company has that right, then the other extras are icing on the cake.  Without the cake though, the icing is just expensive nutrient empty fluff that really doesn’t matter.  It’s our jobs to be sure that there is a there there and that our recruiting message of the company is one of substance, first.

Jesus recruited well.  He was able to bring together a group of men, from all walks of life, who followed Him and then went on to be writers, scholars, teachers, pastors, and leaders of the Christian life that we know now.  Jesus recruited with a message about what He had to offer these men but also He connected at a level that brought the message alive to them.  Telling the two fishermen, Andrew and Simon (Peter) that He would teach them to fish for people was maybe one of the greatest lines for recruiting someone ever said.  These were fishermen, so they understood what He was saying.  He couldn’t have made it more personal and relevant to them.  In our own lives as we recruit others to the Kingdom are we using our own personal examples and true relationships to our most powerful way of persuading?  Jesus was in touch with what would stir and move Andrew and Peter.  If we are not paying attention to what it is that means something to others then we will miss our opportunity to have the right words at the right moment for them and will have missed the true recruiting message.

Reference: Mark 1:17 (New Living Testament)