The mission of business executives

The mission of business executives

ENRIQUE SHAW

THE MISSION OF BUSINESSEXECUTIVES

Speech delivered during the Workshop on Human Issues in Business Organizations organized by the Asociación de Profesionales de la Acción Católica Argentina

Mendoza

August 15th – 17th, 1958

PART ONE

INTRODUCTION

On behalf of ACDE, an organization primarily devoted to helping business executives to fulfill the mission given to them by Divine Providence (except in the sphere of trade union representation which is clearly left in the hands of organizations established for such purpose), I would like to thank the Asociación de Profesionales de la Acción Católica Argentina for giving me the honor of participating in this Workshop.

Before going directly to the subject of my speech, I would rather make a couple of comments. First, I am not even remotely pretending to cover all the aspects of this subject, not even the intellectual aspects of it. Those who may be interested in doing so, please resort to published literature, particularly to five publications which are easily found and available in Spanish. I strongly recommend all of them but ,specially, the first two:

1) “El Dirigente de Empresa” Author: Clement. Publisher: “Del Atlántico”.

2) “Pastoral Colectiva sobre Promoción y Responsabilidad de los Trabajadores”, dated April 28th, 1956, includes remarkable rules scattered here and there on the mission of business executives.

3) “La Gerencia de Empresas” Author: Peter Drucker. Publisher: “Sudamericana”.

4) “El Espíritu del Trabajo” Author: Cardinal Wyszynski. Publisher: “Patmos”.

5) “Cristo en la Fábrica”. Author: Archbishop Morcillo. Publisher: “Euramérica”. Second, I would not like to be considered a "specialist", by no means. I am not.

On the contrary, when I read the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans (7:19): “For the good which I will, I do not; but the evil which I will not, that I do” I cannot help thinking how accurate this text is in my case.

However, I do believe in what Francis Thompson, the poet, calls “the hound of Heaven”: the grace of God is always within reach for those who, knowing that they need it, keep on looking; therefore, yet while own faults are significant, a lot of good can be obtained.

Furthermore, I believe that civilization will be Christian if Christians want it to be Christian today and use the instruments that God has given us to fulfill the mission.

PART TWO

THE IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES

The speakers who have been on this stand before me have clearly described the human, economic and social significance of business. At this point, it is evident that those who take the heavy responsibilities of management have a key role because if unsuccessful, business organizations cannot meet their true goals.

We should stop and analyze the economic role of business executives in detail. When a person decides to start a business, either on his own or with the help of others, he takes up full or partial risk and management and becomes a business executive, in terms of the economy.

It is a complex role. He must be reliable in the eyes of those who give him money. He must choose the members of the staff, set a goal, pick the instruments to achieve such goal. He must safeguard union, timely decision-making, and robust execution. He must deserve the credit and authority needed to be successful.

It is a hard role. He must choose and lead people. He must be familiar with his profession and with the market. He must be reliable… Experience teaches us everyday that a “change of owner” sharply changes any business, either for the better or the worse.

Business executives invest not only their money but also their time, skills and honor in their venture. They are top proactive production agents, the first between workers, because their mission is to achieve corporate goals.

We can conclude from this quick overview that, from the economic point of view, in order to prosper a country should first set free the initiative and actions of brave people ready to face major personal responsibilities, and count on capable, proactive and honest businesspersons.

On this subject, His Holiness Pius XII (1) says:

“Eminent representatives of your activity have strongly stressed the genuine meaning of the mission of the employer, his constructive and defining action in economic development. Subordinate agents simply execute prescribed jobs but bosses above them are those men with determination who leave their own individual mark on events, discover new ways, communicate a decisive impulse, change methods and remarkably increase the performance of men and machinery. And thinking that such activity always coincides with their interests and ultimately responds to selfish ends would be a mistake. It should rather be compared with scientific invention, artistic work arising from altruistic inspiration collectively oriented to the human community as a whole which prospers with new knowledge and new and stronger means of action.”

Is it surprising, then, that The Lord in the Holy Scriptures has showed himself as the owner of a vineyard, a business executive?

However, it may be argued that, although still significant, the importance of business executives has declined. It is not true. On the contrary, in several speeches, after acknolwedging the hard mission of business executives, Pius XII insists on the fact that business executives are one of the pillars of the reform and development of business organizations, and, by no means the least important one. Additionally, they provide a new significance and hierarchy to the role and they are one of the pillars of a new order more coincidental with Divine Will.

PART THREE

THE MISSION OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES

A. Three duties

Depending on perspective, the mission of Business Executives may be subdivided or classified differently. For the purpose of this Workshop I would rather highlight three remarkable duties of Business Executives: service, development and human ascent.

Let’s address the essentials of these three duties now. Based on the words of Jesus Himself (Luke 22-27) the duty of Service makes the activities performed by any person, even if directed by human nature to his own selfish interests, into a service to the others, either directly or through the community. But, above all, service is the expression of a spirit.

Development, as a duty, is inspired in the biblical mandate “Subdue the earth” and in the parable of the talents. These teachings guide us to lead technological innovation to liberate mankind, increase its capacity to be creative and prevent material waste. Using mankind potential and the potential of the world is materially and spiritually beneficial.

Human ascent, as a duty, is the logical consequence of the basic Christian teachings about the eminent dignity of man. In fact, St. Thomas said that we should “do whatever it takes to make our personality flourish.”