Day 37 | Dembe’s Resolved Courage

Reflection

When you meet Dembe, she strikes you as someone who’s a deep thinker, who’s intensely interested in you as a person – but, at the same time, quite quiet.

A little while ago, Dembe landed a job leading a small team. She knew it wasn’t going to be an easy gig from the questions the interview panel asked. ‘Tell us, what are you like under pressure?’ and, ‘What experience do you have with managing strong characters?’

Minutes into the job, Dembe realised just what she was up against. She found out this team had chewed through four managers in under two years! The team was totally dysfunctional. They weren’t helping customers, they were abusing the flexitime system, and there were constant squabbles. In her first meeting, one of them made a grand entrance, declaring they did not need a manager.

Very early on, Dembe was determined to get this team functioning. They would start helping their customers. She was going to see changes in their lives, and she herself was not going to quit. Every evening, she would pray. ‘I cannot manage this. Whatever needs to happen to change things, please help me. I don’t know how to deal with them. I want them to work, I want them to achieve’.

About a week in, her line manager called her in, telling her who she had to ‘get rid of’. But Dembe had resolved not to let anyone go, and she courageously laid out an alternative plan that gave each person an opportunity to change.

After some time, her team went from being the worst in their local branch to being one of the best in the country. The turnaround was remarkable: they were happy and helpful, and customer satisfaction levels soared. None of this would have happened had Dembe not courageously trusted that God would see her through – and prayed continually.

Responding in prayer

Faithful God, we thank you for the example of people like Dembe – people who have the heart to see things change, to do the right thing, who bring their fear to You in prayer, and who take courageous steps for the good of others. In the places we are, help us to do the same. Amen.