Healthy Alliances in the Workplace

An interview with Dr. Zari Gill

To pursue healthy alliances in the global workplace takes effort. It is not a task for the weak-hearted! Yet this effort pays rewarding dividends. Dr. Zari Gill talks about clarity in early communications.  You have to understand the changes you want to bring, and articulate them well, before you can see a convergence of minds between two or more parties. Two groups  must be better together than going solo, for healthy alliances to emerge. Expectations also have to be aligned into a shared vision, for unity to be retained. She often mentions ‘the bond of peace” and ‘harmony’ needed for effective and healthy alliances. Over time, divergent parties can learn to value one another’s contributions and recognize the strength of working together for the common good, especially when parties are prayerful and guided by the Holy Spirit’s counsel.

Zari’s Story: Born in Pakistan to Christian parents, Zari developed deep faith roots. At bedtime, Zari recalls that her parents plus four siblings prayed daily, read scripture and sang hymns together. She felt loved and valued by God and her family. She recalls having many friends not of the Christian faith in this predominantly Muslim environment.  Later, Zari pursued medical school then married John, a civil engineer, before relocating to Canada in 1992.  While in Pakistan, Zari worked at World Vision, where she felt drawn to research the topic “preventing death among children under five”. This interest birthed her passion for public health.

In 1993 when Cambodia, a Buddhist country, was emerging out of a war zone, needs were great. Medical facilities were non-existent. As leader, Zari directed a medical team of four Cambodian staff. But they had a dilemma. Sick and dying people, due to HIV and AIDS, had nowhere to go.  One day, the guard at World Vision’s office gate stopped her as she was entering the gate; he ran after her, saying, “Madam, come and see a bundle in the corner, left for Dr. Gill”.  He pointed out a pile of rags.

Upon examination, Zari discovered inside an emancipated man with oozing sores; he had full blown AIDS and was unconscious, unable to speak. Zari and her staff put him in the office vehicle, still not sure where to take him. They searched hard but could not find care for him. Zari had heard about the Missionaries of Charity Centre, about forty minutes outside the city. Travelling forward, they prayed, knowing this option was a last resort.  God intervened. Upon arrival the sisters agreed to take him in, but they insisted that Zari and team leave. “Go home,” they urged.

Returning the next day, Zari was thrilled to see the man bathed, ointment on his sores, and wonder of wonders, he was sitting up and able to speak! Zari said, “chum reap suor”, or ‘hello” in Khmer, the Cambodian language, but he responded in English.  Soon she learned he was a student studying engineering at the University of Phnm Penh. Once too ill to get up, he’d been evicted from his residence and put in the street. Through the sister’s service and kindness, he died comforted, and not alone,

That’s not the story’s end.  Using a government donated facility, the Missionaries of Charity created a specialized care and treatment centre for HIV and AIDS patients. Their role was caring for the patient’s physical needs of bathing, food, and shelter.  In partnership with them, World Vision and Zari’s medical team visited regularly to provide medical treatments. With government approval, both organizations joined forces to work together, instead of separately. That’s a healthy alliance! Moreover, future sick and dying patients benefited for years to come. It’s stories like this that touch Zari’s heart. She stayed not one, but over six years in Cambodia, engaged in public health services.

Biblical Principles: Pursue unity and the bond of peace. In Ephesians 4:3 NIV we read: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Mutual love and respect.  A new command I give you: Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13: 34 NIVSharing resources and strength. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV instructs: “Two are better than one, because they have good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

In conclusion, it’s heart motivation that counts most. For example, why does this alliance matter? How can it bless others?  Who does it serve most— God as well as others? Questions like these will guard our hearts from potentially unhealthy partnerships. Healthy alliances can enable new knowledge to flourish as a powerful tool for innovation. Applying biblical principles to all that we do in life can also open hearts to love one another, thus helping us to unite in God’s love, to make the world a better place!

Canadian Global Health Professionals Unite Around Biblical Leadership Principles

Across Canada this spring, a unique monthly Zoom gathering will bring together Canadian Global Health Professionals to apply Biblical Leadership Principles to their work and workplaces. While dozens of BIZ Groups now exist, what’s unique about this Canadian Christian Business Federation’s (CCBF) initiative is that it’s the first time a specific profession – namely, Canadian Global Health Professionals, is gathering to brainstorm what it means when leaders purposefully choose to apply Biblical Leadership Principles when forming alliances.

CCBF is convinced that learning and applying Biblical Leadership Principles will bring change and transform our lives and communities as we obey and live out God’s Word (Joshua 1:8).

The leader who will champion this BIZ Group is Dr Zari Gill, a physician, Global Health Professional and Social Entrepreneur.  On April 16th at 12 noon (EDT), Zari will talk about “Healthy Alliances” on a CCBF national Zoom event.

https://www.ccbf.org/biz-groups-described

https://www.ccbf.org/business-leadership-discussion

“Connecting Your Sunday Faith to Your Monday Work”

The Canadian Christian Business Federation exists to support business leaders in the study and application of Biblical Leadership Principles with peers, in order to transform lives, strengthen businesses, and positively influence and impact our world. www.ccbf.org

Nancy Kingdon is an author and freelance writer proudly serving CCBF ministries as their Story Writer.  Her newest book release in March 2025 is Magnolia Grace Gardens: Visit her website at: www.writinglegacy.com