Finding Peace

There are challenges within Wal-Mart that will apparently continue for the foreseeable future. Change is a constant and at times the way it's handled is not always perceived as positive, however change is inevitable within Wal-Mart. There are two points of encouragement in this post based upon my 18 years at Wal-Mart and being impacted twice through these restructures that I've learned.

To begin with I'm not supporting the way things have been handled this past year but I know living in fear, anger and uncertainty is not a healthy way of life. This consumes you to the point that it impedes your ability to move forward. Christianity Today quote: "Is Wal-Mart a Christian company? No," said former Wal-Mart executive Don Soderquist at a recent prayer breakfast. "But the basis of our decisions was the values of Scripture." Whether you think the current leadership is doing this I don't believe brings merit rather judgement or condemnation, what does matter is how each one of you is handling this and I pray that everyone is relying on their faith to get through these difficult times. I believe this in any faith. Letting it consume you to the point that it impacts your work, family, friends and future only impedes you and who you are. Not the easiest thing to do but reliance on your faith and putting it in the Lord’s hands is imperative during these times whether you’re still employed or have been impacted. Prv 3:5-6 NIV, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your path straight.” We grow the most when we are put through challenging times and come out stronger after weathering the storm even when we didn't ask for or want the storm. 2 Cor 12:7-9 the affliction of the thorn is a great testament from Apostle Paul. Perhaps one of the most difficult is Matthew 5:44 NIV, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

When I was impacted the first time a professional coach was assigned to me to help during this overwhelming time (in addition going through a difficult divorce with custody of three young kids) and these are the four points that resonate with me from 7 years ago.

a. Always make sure your resume is up to date

b. Always make sure you have a plan B and are working on plan B. Once plan B becomes plan A, repeat.

c. Always make sure you have a network of people and that network continues to grow personally and professionally

d. Understand in today’s work environment, the average workforce tenure is less than 5 years. Conceptually the longer you’re with a company the more of a liability you become not an asset. Be ready for plan B.

I pray for those still at Wal-Mart that you can find peace and comfort and rely on the Lord for strength during these uncertain times and that the leadership team is making decision based upon the values of the scripture. For those that have been impacted I pray that you find the ability to forgive and move forward with the strength of the Lord. As challenging as it may seem, there is life after Wal-Mart as I have found out and it’s a blessed opportunity to grow and re-invent yourself to become the person that God wants you to be in this new season of life. You aren’t defined by a company, you’re defined by your actions, values and beliefs and I encourage you to believe in yourself, your strength to persevere and continued growth in your faith.

For those of different faiths or non-believers I hope you can find peace in my words not as a sermon but encouragement to overcome life’s challenges and move forward in a positive manner to enjoy life to its fullest.

Comment! It's anonymous!

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One additional item to consider. The Walton family is also behind the changes to the organization, as there are family members on the Board of Directors and the family still owns a large cache of stock and votes. WMT leadership reports to the Board of Directors, who subsequently answer to shareholders.

The bald headed idiot (banker\diaper boy) and his accomplice (jk) continue. Result? Ruin!

1azy,

The well wishes are received as they are meant. I just believe that for many it won't be possible as Walmart continues to terrorize its employees with the constant layoffs and poor treatment.

It's one thing to forgive and get over something that happened once or even twice.

It's quite another when the poor treatment is ongoing. And I think that is preventing associates from letting this go.

Anonymous - "I appreciate the advice"

Your response and feedback is greatly appreciated. There was never an intent to "Raise Above It", rather to take those challenges and put them in the Lord's hands so they doesn't consume you like a cancer. I have had it all on the line and then some, but know letting this fester inside me was more harmful and poisonous than the impact itself. I can't change the past and it will always be there, but what I've learned through my Christian faith is to forgive, learn from it and move forward as best I can in a positive manner. It doesn't mean that what is happening is right or that it doesn't hurt, it just means I have to give this to the Lord and let Him guide me through this challenge in order to find peace and become the man that He wants me to be. It's my faith in Him that carries me forward and allows me to find peace in these difficult times. It's far from easy and going through the grieving period is difficult, I just know that I can't do it alone and believe that there is no greater support at all than through the Lord Himself. I focus on my judgement day and pray that you can move forward and find comfort in Him also during this time. I truly wish you peace as was posted above : "Assalamualaikum"

I appreciate the advice, but you have to understand that you're talking about a family's livelihood. The "rise above it" line is great if things like your house, retirement, child's college tuition, or car payment isn't on the line.

Rise above it is often the luxury of rich men.

I agree about the plan B though. Nowadays employees are a cost or liability to their employers in the eyes of many corporations. I guess it's just really settling in with a lot of people that Walmart now appears (at least to me) to feel this way, too.

I guess my question is, "If your leadership style is treat your employees like a liability to the business, what sort of performance should you expect to get from them?"

Do we respect organizations that ride people like widgets, into the ground, and only look to extract profit from them? Do we think that when organizations do those things that their employees can best take care of their customers?

And if we don't value those behaviors, and respect is absent from the employer/employee relationship, is leadership even possible? Or is it just authority over our employees we are happily settling for? We'll accept an associate's acquiescence but don't care if we have their hearts?

You know, I'm not a great Christian and have long since left the church. But as trite as it seems, I do wonder if many of these professed Godly men believe they are following Jesus' example? How do they reconcile their actions with their faith? Would Jesus do these things in the name of the almighty dollar? I don't know.

The last thing I'll leave you with is a verse that I remember from childhood stating that it is easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for them to enter the kingdom of heaven. Now I'm probably taking the quote out of context, but it it does make me wonder: When these powerful men are old and on their death beds, how will they look back and reconcile the things that they have done? Will it bother them? Will they have regrets? Will they be proud? And was the money and power worth it as they pass from one life to the next?

I don't know...

Good advice. Thank you!

Assalamualaikum

Thank you for sharing these wise words at such an appropriate time. Blessings to you and yours.

Thank You for the words of encouragement and perspective. I share your views with you. I have been displaced before in my 20 year business career and your advice is spot on. No sense dwelling on the negative, and one should always be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Focusing on the things you can control may provide a better sense of stability and confidence.

Walmart has had an amazing growth trajectory, however, the firm has reached maturity. That is compounded by a disruption in the marketplace from Ecommerce and the customer transition to omnichannel shopping behaviors, with significant implications to the profitability of the business. Thus, Walmart's business model needs to change accordingly. A lot of great people have been impacted, and that is the downside of reinvention.

Thread regarding Walmart layoffs

Finding Peace

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