Vows.

Monks managed and educated most of Western Europe for a few hundred years. They understand Recruit Hard, Manage Easy.

The novice monk presents himself for his final interview. 

Here's the gist of what follows.

'Pay attention,' the Abbot says to the other monks and people gathered to witness and support the novice. 'Remember: Life is short. You're a long time dead. So let's not waste time.'

'Is there anyone here who wants to be a monk?' the Abbot asks.  

'I do,' says the novice monk.

One of the monks who he'll have to live, work and pray with speaks.

'He's been with us on probation,' is the gist of what he says publicly to the Abbot. 'And now, on behalf of all of us, we think he's ready to become a permanent member of our team.'  

'What do you want from being a monk?' the Abbot asks the novice.  

'To serve by my actions.'  

'Hear, hear,' is the essence of what the other monks say.  

The Abbot continues.  'Are you sure that this is what you want to do?' 

'I am.'  

'Do you promise to commit yourself fully to this vocation?'  

'I promise.'  

'Do you promise to follow our rules because you know that they will allow you to reach your potential?'

'I promise.' 

'Do you promise to put the needs of the team ahead of your own?' 

'I promise'

'Are you resolved to strive constantly for self-improvement for the benefit of others and something bigger than yourself by zealously following the rules?'   

'I am.' 

'Are you resolved to serve others?' 

'I am.' 

'We believe that you speak with integrity,' the Abbot says. 'And we trust you.'  

'Hear, hear,' the monks and those in the church say.

The novice monk walks up and stands before the Abbot. He bows his head.  He slowly and purposefuly reads out loud the conditions of his contract.

He has written them all out by hand.  

The monks walk up to the altar and stand around him in a large circle. He places his contract on the altar and signs it.

He then holds it up to show the Abbot. He walks around the circle of his brethren stopping in front of each one and holding his signed contract up to show them.

The novice monk holds it up to show all the people in the church.

He stands before the altar and sings the Suscipe with arms extended.

 Suscipe me Domine, secundum eloquium tuum et vivam: et non confundas me ab exsectatione mea.

Here I am. Now don't let me down.

He sings it three times.

The monks sing it three times.

He's now a fully professed member of the monastery team.

Clear expectations. Clear mutual promises. Clear boundaries. Publicly declared. Repeated. Celebrated.