Rob Wildeboer is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of Martinrea International Inc., a global auto parts supplier, specializing in automotive fluid systems and metal forming products. Martinrea has over 15,000 employees at 38 divisions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe and China.
[This blog post (Part 3 of 3) is based on remarks delivered by Mr. Wildeboer to a Christian Embassy of Canada gathering in Ottawa on December 1, 2015.]
One of our ten principles of doing business at Martinrea is “the Golden Rule.” People have said to me, “that principle sounds pretty religious”. It is. The Golden Rule is a straight lift from the Bible in a number of places. They are the words of Jesus Christ, the Christ of Christmas. Love God, and Love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbour, and so love is the fulfilment of the law.
But notwithstanding the fact that this is a Christian principle, it is universal. I understand some form of this rule is found in at least 8 religions. But still it is the most associated with Christianity. Is it not a wonderful principle for business? Is it not a wonderful way to succeed in business? Why would you not treat your employee the way you would want to be treated? Or your customer? Or the people who lend you money, or invest in your company? Or the person who supplies you with goods? Or the local mayor or the local government who is trying to help you or, in turn, tax you or regulate you?
So, for me, this is the key principle of my approach to work, and to public service. It reflects my belief in Christ, the great ambassador of Christmas. It is easy to be a Christian in church, but if I cannot also live those principles at work, and be a Christian ambassador in what I do at work and elsewhere, I am a hypocrite and should be viewed as such. I grew up in a Christian home; my parents, Dutch Calvinists who immigrated to this country after World War 2, have always been strong in the faith and I have had the privilege of growing up in a hardworking, immigrant community that built lives for themselves here in Canada after coming over by boat with nothing to start with, other than of course a strong faith, a strong work ethic and a tremendous country full of opportunity!
Even though I grew up in a Christian home, I had to embrace that faith as my own. I needed to come to a place in my life where I recognized that my faith in Jesus had to control my life and my conduct. And not just in my worship, but in all areas of my life, including my work, my politics, my hobby time, my family time.
I could not do this on my own and had to open myself up to submit myself to Christ as my Saviour.
Jesus is not just a good guy, a good teacher or a good role model, but He is my Redeemer. And my Redeemer lives, as the risen Christ, who has dominion over all aspects of life, including work and politics. Yes, I believe He is also in charge of what the ambassadors in this room do for a living!
And so, for me, the Golden Rule is not just a good rule for business – it is something to live out fully on a daily basis. It gives me peace with God and with my neighbour. And it makes me happy in my work. I believe it is comforting for anyone here who embraces Christ.