For Valentine’s Day, give St. Paul equal time with St. Valentine.

St. Valentine lived in the Roman Empire and was imprisoned during the third century for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians.  During his imprisonment, he is said to have healed the daughter of his jailer, and, according to legend, he wrote “from your Valentine” as a farewell to her.

St. Valentine may help your love life, but look to St. Paul the Apostle to help you drive accountability in the workplace.

Writing from prison in AD 62 to the people of Ephesus, Turkey, St. Paul advised people to “speak the truth in love.”

To improve performance, start by being honest about what’s working and what’s not.  Attack the issue, not the person.  Be respectful, but be straight.  Sugar-coating helps no one.

So give St. Paul equal time with St. Valentine, and remember that accountability starts by loving someone enough to tell them the truth.