6. Parable of the Talents: Integrity, Credibility, and Accountability

This chapter uses Matthew’s account of the Parable of the Talents to illustrate two employees who honored the master and accomplished their tasks to the best of their abilities as quickly as they could and one employee who did not honor the master by not accomplishing what was assigned. Matthew’s account of the parable indicates that the master knew the capability and capacity of each employee and assigned the task to be within each employee’s skill set. Employees should not accept assignments that they do not fit within the employees’ skill set or are beyond the employees’ capacity. When there is a perception of a person-job fit, employees should communicate the concerns to the master and either clarify the expectations or decline to accept the responsibility. Employees demonstrate integrity when they behave as they have presented themselves and they demonstrate credibility when they accomplish what they imply they will accomplish. Accountability occurs when the employees acknowledge (a) their responsibility, (b) transparency of behaviors, and (c) consequences of their behaviors.