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Date Posted: 19:21:00 09/02/04 Thu
Author: schwabra
Author Host/IP: dialup-4.225.151.130.Dial1.Cincinnati1.Level3.net / 4.225.151.130
Subject: Re: Jewish Management
In reply to: schwabra 's message, "Jewish Management" on 19:19:49 09/02/04 Thu

2. Do You Work To Live Or Live To Work?

MAN AND MOSQUITO

Once there was a Hasid named Zundel who earned his living by buying and selling horses. He worked hard and enjoyed his trade, but still found time every year to visit the court of his Master, Rabbi Isaac of Vorka.

On one such visit, Rabbi Isaac saw Zundel deep in animated conversation. Rabbi Isaac was pleased to see his followers discussing his teachings with such enthusiasm. Coming closer, Rabbi Isaac was disappointed to find that they were not discussing spiritual matters at all -- Zundel was telling a story about a champion stallion! Several days later, Rabbi Isaac again overheard Zundel talking excitedly about a nag he had recently sold for a great profit.

A week passed. It was time for Zundel to return home, and he went to Rabbi Isaac to receive the customary blessing for the journey. Rabbi Isaac clasped Zundel's hand.

"Before I bless you, Zundel, please tell me, is there any question you have for me?"

Zundel was overjoyed at the opportunity to seek his master's advice. He launched into a description of a potential business deal involving a herd of mares. "Rebbe, please tell me," he concluded, "do you recommend I buy the herd or not?"

"May God grant you success in whatever path you choose," responded Rabbi Isaac, "so that you may continue to provide a good living for your horses."

Zundel was puzzled by his teacher's advice.

Rabbi Isaac continued, "Our sages once asked: why did God create man last among all the creatures during the six days of creation? They explained that the response is different for each and every man, depending on his behavior. If a man does good deeds and is worthy before God, we say, 'you were created last so that all God's creatures could be present to serve you.' If, on the other hand, a man is unworthy, we say 'you were created last to teach you your true place in nature. Even the mosquito preceded you in creation and is more important in God's eyes.' "

Rabbi Isaac continued. "A man, by his thoughts and behavior, can raise himself so high that all of creation serves him, or he can lower himself to the point where his entire purpose in life is to feed mosquitoes with his blood! So, too, a horse trader can be worthy or unworthy. If he is worthy, God sends him horses so that he may support himself. If, on the other hand, he is unworthy, then God helps the horses He created by sending them a horse trader to support them. Both men earn the same living, but there is a world of difference between them. The worthy man has horses who work for him, while the unworthy man works all his life for his horses."

Zundel winced. Rabbi Isaac said kindly, "My blessing for you, Zundel, is that you merit to clean out your stable." Seeing Zundel's hurt look, Rabbi Isaac continued, "By spending all your waking hours thinking about your horses, I fear that you have turned your head into a stable, a place where only horses dwell. May you merit to clean out the stable, and find room in your mind for loftier thoughts."

Chastened but wiser, Zundel returned to his home.

The worthy man works for his living, while the unworthy man lives for his work.

Nowadays we would call Zundel a workaholic. Even when he gets away to visit his Rebbe, he is still preoccupied with his business deals. Rabbi Isaac tries to show Zundel that his life is unbalanced -- rather than utilizing his work as a means to spiritual growth, Zundel has become a slave to his horses. Only by "cleaning out the stable" can Zundel fulfill his potential as a human being.

Rabbi Isaac's advice is as sound today as it was then. A manager's work can be totally absorbing, to the point where it crowds out all other aspects of a well-balanced life. Ask yourself: do you work in order to live, or is work your life? Are you pouring all your energies into work, or is work one of many activities that enrich your life? And the same for the employees you manage -- do you expect them to make work their life, or do you encourage them to keep in its proper perspective?

To Rabbi Isaac, the answer to these questions determines whether you are the master or the slave to your environment.

IN TODAY'S WORLD

SAS Institute, the provider of statistical analysis software for large databases, is an example of a company that does not compel its employees to choose between their work and their lives. The company's philosophy is simple: "The best way to produce the best and get the best results is to behave as if the people who are creating those things for you are important to you.... It just means you take care of the folks who are taking care of you."

Although SAS is in a highly competitive market, the company is famous for its thirty-five-hour workweek and generous family-oriented benefits. SAS provides on-site daycare and encourages employees to visit and eat lunch with their children during th day, coach their sports teams and be involved in their education. The spacious campus hosts weekend picnics and features a first-rate athletic facility, open to employees and their families.

It is tempting to think of SAS as a non-profit hippy commune, but nothing could be further from the truth. Their business analysis software must meet the exacting standards of large enterprises that require stable and predictable vendors. SAS software is used by more than 80% of the Fortune 500 companies, making SAS the largest private software company in the world, with annual sales of over $1.1 billion.

SAS stands out in its ability to build a successful business, that is in harmony with, rather than in opposition to, their employees' family lives. SAS recognizes that employees have relationships outside of work, and provides benefits that help them effectively meet their family commitments. The results are impressive -- more than 24 consecutive years of double-digit growth, a turnover rate of under 5%, and a workplace that attracts more than thirty applicants for each vacant position. (From: "Business and the Spirit: Management Practices that Sustain Values," Jeffrey Pfeffer, Stanford University Research Paper No. 1713, October 2001)

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