It's no mystery that few people are able or willing to turn off their troubles the moment they punch in at work. The vast majority of folks carry their personal and professional troubles around with them throughout the day. Psychobabblers assume that virtually all businesses are dysfunctional at their core, from leadership on down. A therapist's mission is to functionalize our behaviors and attitudes. Then, and only then, will we have maximum output and, ultimately, success, they profess.
Chaplains have a different mission.
Wilkins, president and founder of New Hope Consulting, identifies his role, and that of his colleagues, as ombudsman or corporate goodwill ambassador. Their job is to lend an ear and assist, without interfering, in solving personal and professional problems, and to intervene upon an employer's request on business issues. So far, it sounds like a fairly decent program and, to troubled folks with no place to find a little guidance, Wilkins' program would certainly add a little corporate goodwill. At first glance, I was skeptical. My next concern was running interference with management.