Creating a thriving, Christ-centered workplace doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional leadership, transparency, and a commitment to investing in people. On a recent episode of the Flourishing Culture Leadership Podcast, John MacDonald, T Bar M’s President, and I explored the key steps that have transformed workplace culture at T Bar M, a Christian camp ministry dedicated to shaping lives (nearly 20,000 in 2024) through faith-based experiences.
The journey to a healthy, flourishing culture was not always easy. Like many organizations, T Bar M faced challenges in employee engagement, communication, and trust. However, through a commitment to transparency, team development, and a faith-driven approach to leadership, the organization has seen remarkable improvement.
This blog outlines the key lessons learned, including:
- The Power of Faithfulness in Everyday Leadership
- Using Employee Feedback to Strengthen Workplace Culture
- Creating a Culture of Trust and Transparency
- Fostering Christian Character in Leadership
- Balancing Strategy with Employee Involvement
- Bringing Fun Back to the Workplace
By following these steps, any Christian-led organization can cultivate a healthy, engaged workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and committed to the mission.
1. The Power of Faithfulness in Everyday Leadership
One of the most striking leadership lessons shared in the conversation was the importance of faithfulness in daily work. Leadership is often seen as a series of big moments—major decisions, turning points, or career milestones. However, true impact comes not just from grand achievements, but from consistent, faithful work in the small things.
Rather than focusing solely on high-profile wins, leaders should embrace daily acts of faithfulness:
- Showing kindness, patience, and self-control in every interaction
- Prioritizing stewardship of work over seeking recognition
- Remaining grounded in faith rather than chasing external validation
This perspective shift reinforces the biblical truth in 2 Chronicles 16:9, which reminds us that God is looking for those who remain faithful in all circumstances. Leaders who cultivate this mindset will influence their teams not just through words, but through their actions.
2. Using Employee Feedback to Strengthen Workplace Culture
Transforming workplace culture starts with listening. T Bar M took significant steps to understand how employees were experiencing the workplace by using the Best Christian Workplaces Employee Engagement Survey. The results were eye-opening.
Initially, the organization’s engagement scores were lower than expected, signaling the need for change. But instead of ignoring the feedback, they took deliberate steps to improve:
- Hosting “Feed Forward” Sessions – Rather than dwelling on past shortcomings, these meetings encouraged staff to envision what a healthy culture would look like moving forward.
- Celebrating Strengths and Addressing Weaknesses – Leadership acknowledged successes but also took honest action to improve areas of concern.
- Clarifying Roles and Goals – Greater transparency in expectations helped eliminate confusion and increased team alignment.
By actively seeking employee input and responding with tangible improvements, trust grew, and engagement scores significantly increased over time.
3. Creating a Culture of Trust and Transparency
Many leaders fear opening themselves up to criticism or admitting mistakes. However, one of the most transformational shifts in workplace culture came when leaders embraced openness and accountability.
Overcoming the Fear of Hard Conversations
A key leadership principle John MacDonald shared was “Do it scared.” Many leaders hesitate to invite feedback because they fear hearing difficult truths. Yet, avoiding honest conversations can lead to a culture of disengagement and passive frustration.
Steps to build a transparent culture include:
- Encouraging employees to share concerns openly
- Creating safe spaces where staff can challenge leadership respectfully
- Apologizing when mistakes happen and making changes where necessary
By modeling humility and openness, leaders create a culture where trust flourishes and employees feel heard.
Clarifying Decision-Making Processes
At T Bar M, leaders noticed a disconnect between frontline staff and senior decision-making. Employees weren’t always sure how major decisions were made or who was involved. To bridge this gap, they:
- Explained board and leadership roles clearly
- Held meetings to educate staff on decision-making processes
- Encouraged direct communication between employees and leadership
This increased organizational alignment and eliminated misunderstandings that could cause division or frustration.
4. Fostering Christian Character in Leadership
A thriving workplace culture must be rooted in strong Christian character. This goes beyond words and requires daily practice.
Building a “Path of Least Resistance” for Christian Values
To make faith an integral part of the workplace, leaders developed rhythms of spiritual engagement that became second nature:
- Daily staff devotionals and prayer meetings
- Small accountability groups (“Covenant Groups”) for deeper spiritual connection
- Regular celebrations of God’s work in employees’ lives
Rather than forcing faith-based activities, these practices became the “path of least resistance”—the most natural and expected part of daily work life.
By making faith the foundation of how decisions are made, how people are treated, and how success is measured, Christian values were not just spoken but lived out in the culture.
5. Balancing Strategy with Employee Involvement
A key challenge in leadership is knowing when to involve employees in decision-making and when to stay mission-focused.
Making Transparency a Priority
One of the most valuable leadership lessons shared was the importance of being upfront about decisions. Employees don’t always need to be part of every discussion, but they do need clarity about why decisions are made.
To maintain this balance:
- Leaders shared context behind major decisions to increase trust
- Team members were encouraged to speak up if they felt excluded from a key conversation
- Employees were given ownership over specific initiatives while leadership focused on mission strategy
Eliminating Unnecessary Work
Another crucial strategy was asking employees what should be stopped. Over time, organizations accumulate tasks, processes, and projects that no longer serve their mission. By routinely asking, “What should we stop doing?”, the team was able to:
- Refocus energy on high-impact priorities
- Eliminate unnecessary work that drains resources
- Streamline decision-making to be more effective
This intentional prioritization ensured that energy was spent on what truly mattered rather than being scattered across low-impact activities.
6. Bringing Fun Back to the Workplace
A flourishing workplace isn’t just about engagement surveys, leadership training, or strategic planning—it’s also about joy and connection. One of the key takeaways from the conversation was the importance of fun at work.
Why Fun Matters in Workplace Culture
When organizations intentionally create opportunities for fun, it:
- Builds stronger relationships among team members
- Reduces stress and increases creativity
- Creates an environment where employees want to stay and grow
Practical Ways to Make Work More Enjoyable
At T Bar M, efforts to bring joy and camaraderie into the workplace included:
- Weekly staff games or challenges to encourage team bonding
- Spontaneous celebrations of personal and professional milestones
- Creative team-building retreats that reinforce both mission and fun
Workplaces that prioritize joy alongside productivity foster a culture where employees feel connected, valued, and energized.
Call to Action: Building a Thriving Workplace Culture
The transformation at T Bar M serves as a powerful example of how intentional leadership, trust, and faith-driven values create a flourishing workplace culture.
If you’re a leader looking to improve engagement, strengthen team trust, and build a mission-driven organization, here are the first steps:
- Assess where you are – Use an employee engagement survey to understand your culture.
- Prioritize transparency and feedback – Invite honest conversations and act on what you learn.
- Build spiritual rhythms – Foster a culture where faith is woven into daily work life.
- Make trust a leadership priority – Lead with humility, accountability, and clear communication.
- Ask what should be stopped – Free up resources to focus on the most impactful work.
- Create space for fun – Joy and laughter are essential to a thriving culture.
Transforming workplace culture is not about quick fixes—it’s about faithful leadership over time. Just as daily faithfulness in small things shapes strong Christian character, consistent investment in workplace health leads to a flourishing, mission-driven organization.
Are you ready to take the next step? Visit workplaces.org to learn how the Best Christian Workplaces Employee Engagement Survey can help you build a workplace culture that honors God and empowers your people to thrive.
Al Lopus
Al Lopus : Jan 14, 2025 7:36:03 AM
