{"id":2709,"date":"2014-10-16T16:27:29","date_gmt":"2014-10-16T16:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/?p=2709"},"modified":"2014-10-16T16:27:29","modified_gmt":"2014-10-16T16:27:29","slug":"dont-let-the-door-hit-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/dont-let-the-door-hit-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Let the Door Hit You\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

It is amazing how much an organization can change over time, sometimes for the better, but often for the worse. And almost always, at least in my experience, the change is linked to leadership. If the change is for the worse, what do the old-timers of the organization do? They usually either voice their concerns, which just might get them into trouble with the powers that be, or they vote with their feet and leave the organization altogether. This kind of change is painful, especially if you are one of the old-timers. But what if you are the leader making the changes? Is it hard for that person as well?<\/p>\n

At least for me, situations like this have occurred many times in my lifetime. And whether it is a business owner, a college president, or a senior pastor, these scenarios are never easy and are always painful for somebody. Frankly, I find myself in one of these complicated situations as I write this post, and I am wrestling with what to do. Do I speak up, and if so, to whom? Do I remain loyal to the organization and quietly voice my concerns? Or do I exit \u2013 quietly? But then what \u2013 I still have to pay the bills. But are these my only options?<\/p>\n

In his short book, Exit, Voice, and Loyalty<\/em>, Albert Hirschman writes about these matters in relation to economic, social, and political systems. Hirschman paints a dark but realistic picture that failure and dysfunction will always be a part of every institution, business, or system. But, if the system is to survive, there must be a way for society to \u201cmarshal from within itself forces which will make as many as the faltering actors as possible revert to the behavior required for its proper functioning.\u201d[1]<\/a> To be honest, this sounded harsh to me. But to an economist, it is what it is. It\u2019s not about being nice; rather, it\u2019s about keeping the system viable. And if there are casualties, then there are casualties. But I am not an economist!<\/p>\n

So what do I do when an organization of which I am a part becomes untenable? Do I just leave? \u201cIf you don\u2019t like it, you can leave; just don\u2019t let the door hit you in the butt on your way out.\u201d How many times have I heard this coming out of the lips of well meaning people? In fact, I have said these words to others myself, and I am ashamed of myself for doing so. Is there a better way?<\/p>\n

This brings us to the \u201cspeak up\u201d option, what Hirschman calls \u201cvoice.\u201d According to the author, this option is more costly than voting with one\u2019s feet. Hirschman writes, \u201cHence, in comparison to the exit option, voice is costly and conditioned on the influence and bargaining power customers and members can bring to bear within the firm from which they buy or the organization to which they belong.\u201d[2]<\/a> The voice option, then, entails risk. What if I voice my concerns and others say that they will join me \u2013 but then they lose their nerve and I find myself all alone? I have experienced that on more than one occasion, and the pain is still there after all these years. On the other hand, having this experience puts me in better stead for the next time I am forced with that tough decision of \u201cFight or flight?\u201d I have done both and don\u2019t like either option. Again, is there a better way?<\/p>\n

The majority on my working life has been with Christian organizations. Many of my experiences have been positive and life changing. However, on a few occasions, I have felt the need to speak up to leadership about unjust situations I was seeing in the organization that were being carried out by the leaders and by the system. One might think that working with leaders who are Christians is an easy thing to do since \u201cthe Holy Spirit leads them and guides them in all that they say and do.\u201d I wish it were so, but the problem with that line of thinking is that these people \u2013 all people \u2013 are also human, and humans have this tendency to act like humans. So what can happen to a person who tries to use the \u201cvoice\u201d option in a Christian organization? The toughest obstacle I came against when I used my voice was what I will call the \u201cGod on Our Side\u201d argument. It goes something like this:<\/p>\n