React vs. Respond: Improving Your Company’s Culture

Re-act: Respond with hostility, opposition, or a contrary course of action to.

Re-spond: To react favorably to.

When laying the foundation for a thriving culture within a company whether it’s to maximize potential, achieve growth or turn around a struggling company it is imperative that the foundation laid is one of responding and not reacting. Reactions are at the root of inefficient time management, gossip-culture, finger-pointing, and toxic leadership. Responses are typical of a culture that is well rounded, confident, well-led and with an overall sense of teamwork necessary for the greater good of the organization.

Companies with a reactionary culture find each and every day mired in running from problem to problem. They may very well have a team of competent individuals; however, if leadership doesn’t allow for a top-down mentality of responding versus reacting then this culture will be nearly impossible to shift. It’s key in this situation to properly empower individuals to make the decisions necessary to do their jobs, even if mistakes are made. Each mistake becomes a learning opportunity and the right people in the right position, when empowered in a response culture, will not continue with the same mistakes time and again.

Ask yourself the following questions about what happens when a problem arises at your company:

Do people look to avoid or shift blame?

Do people look for a quick fix and easy solution?

Once the problem is resolved, does everyone breathe a sigh of relief and forget it?

If you’re answering yes to the above questions then you have identified signs of a React Culture in your company.

The following answers to these questions would help to confirm your company operates from a Respond Foundation:

No, the people at my company first identify any role they played that allowed the problem to arise or persist. They take it personally even if not directly their fault.

No, people study the problem to search not just for the “how” but more importantly the “why”. Finding the “why” identifies holes in your processes or communications that when properly addressed will insure problems of that nature don’t occur if everyone does in fact do their part.

No, people don’t rush past the problem they confidently put it in their rearview. Occasionally, they glance back just to see how far they’ve come and smile about the effort they put into solving that problem and prevent it from happening again.

It’s vital to the overall health of any company to identify and correct a Reactionary Culture. Reactionary Cultures make for angry and overstressed leaders, demoralized employees and a toxic culture not conducive to success, innovation and endurance. Even when the proper personnel is in place if the culture is one of reaction then success will either be non-existent or much more difficult than necessary. The good employees will find a way to abandon ship and you’ll be left with those who offer little and are there for the paycheck only. This is definitely not the environment any of us would want for our company.

I often use this identification in consulting jobs to insure that any efforts toward personnel improvements and coaching, sales initiatives, leadership improvement and coaching, team building or any other efforts aren’t wasted on a broken Reactionary Culture.

So, now is the time to take a good long look in the mirror and ask read the following chart to identify a few traits of the contrasting culture:

React                                   vs.                                               Respond
Insecurity	Confidence
Panic	Calm
Ignorance	Knowledge
Short Term	Long Term
Assumption	Facts
Waste	Efficiency
Survival	Success
Maintaining	Prospecting

Thank you for reading. I hope that you and your company continuously strive to be better each day. Business is my passion and I want to see you and yours succeed too!

I’ll expand more on React vs. Respond in future blogs. Please feel free to check out Crown Consulting Solutions at www.crownconsultingsolutions.net. CCS can also be found on Facebook.

I also share personal blogs on a wide variety of topics at www.weekleyblog.com and can be found on Facebook via The Weekley Blog.

Be Somebody!

I’m a difficult personality. I posess the self-awareness required to grasp this. Among my anal tendencies and expectations of excellence one thing that really drives these issues or strengths, depending on the situation and application, is my absolute refusal to accept circumstances that are anything less than desirable. We have too much ability and control over our circumstances to settle. This applies to all of us.

Before I make my next point I must preface it with a couple of clarifying statements in regards to my personal beliefs and passions. The first is that I am truly very thankful for the time, resources and effort my parents sacrificed to allow me to pursue my own path and build on their foundation. None of my following comments or perspectives are meant to disrespect the investments my parents made in providing for me. Secondly, what I’m about to delve into is only meant for those who want more. Those who demand more. Those who refuse to accept anything less than the realization of their dreams.

My father grew up in a time and place where he can tell stories of he and his brothers picking cotton. Yes, it was their own cotton but they picked their own cotton and worked their own fields. The same way most poor families did.

Now, my grandfather was by all accounts a hard worker. Having been a Marine Sergeant in WWII, and part of The Greatest Generation, he was a provider, even if a hard man emotionally. He did eventually parlay his hard work and effort into his own business but never prospered to the point where he wasn’t still working side by side with his hired labor. My father and his siblings grew up in square footage that by today’s standards would be akin to living in a shed. To be fair, it was a shed that provided shelter and was owned free and clear. They all knew hard work and they knew what scraping by meant.

My mother’s family was even less a stranger to poverty. Ten children of which my mother was the oldest equated to a total of twelve mouths to feed on the income of my grandfather alone who toiled in your below average low-income factory type jobs. If my father and his siblings knew scraping by, then my mother and her siblings knew the definition of poverty. They knew what it was like to be “the least of these” among neighbors and classmates. The hand-me-down kids whose neighbors often helped supply extra food or clothing. They were dirt poor.

I tell of the background of each of my parents in order to put into perspective that it was actually quite the accomplishment for us to live in our own two-bedroom trailer on our own piece of land. In our rural setting this certainly wasn’t out of the norm. Yes, looking back, we were poor although I certainly didn’t really understand that until my mid to late teens.

I don’t thumb my nose at the roof over my head and food on the table that my parents provided. However, I highly value that what they did instill in me is an absolute belief in hard work, education and that I am just as capable of accomplishing something great as anyone else on this planet. Not just capable, but determined to do it. I refuse to be a stereotype. I refuse to be a victim of my circumstances, rather I choose to be a product of my circumstances. Being poor and not having the opportunity many have wouldn’t turn me into a complainer, a whiner or a chronic excuse maker. These things helped put a chip on my shoulder that fueled me to succeed.

Growing up in a rural setting helped me to understand values that aren’t often found among a strictly white-collar background. Work, hard work, is something to be proud of even if the wages are low. There is much to be said about your efforts for a long day showing a tangible result. Even more so when that result is of high quality. A man is only as good as his word was something I saw demonstrated on both sides of the line and still sticks with me to this day. Out of all the things I control, my word being my bond is one of the most important. Helping others is a responsibility we should all feel. “But by the grace of God go I” is something I saw my father exemplify in his feelings toward most any and everyone, always understanding you never really know until you’ve walked a mile in someone else’s shoes.

These values laid a foundation for who I am now, what I stand for, and what I believe to be true about people and opportunity. Each and every one of us have control over our lives. We may not control all circumstances or events but we absolutely control what we do with them and who they let us become.

I believe people are created with far more power and ability than most of us realize. After all, being created in the image and likeness of God is a pretty big deal even though we often don’t act like it. To me, it’s exciting, powerful and very telling. If God used the very first book of His living word to us telling of His creation, then wouldn’t it stand to reason that we too are made to create?

I don’t believe in wasting time whining or complaining about what we don’t have or can’t do and what others have and can do. I don’t have patience or much tolerance for people who accept subpar results or quality to be the fruit of their efforts in regards to their passion or vocation. If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.

I believe that if someone like me can be blessed with the opportunity and abilities that I have then everyone has that same potential. I believe that if a country boy from a rural area and a low-income home with no college degree can achieve the things I have, build the network I have, lead the people I’ve lead, be respected and valued for the things I’ve learned then anyone else can achieve these same things.

I’ve had the opportunity to visit 37 or so of these great United States, 5 Canadian provinces, Mexico, Italy and a few stops in between. Opportunity abounds for those who choose to pursue it. Those who refuse to accept defeat. The difference in people, in my opinion, is what it takes to defeat them or scare them into accepting less than their dreams and true potential. People who experience difficulty, are thankful to come out the other side and who then decide to play it safe are settling. Don’t get me wrong, that’s certainly your right. It’s your life and if you’re content with that, so be it.

There always remains that small percentage. The “Us”. Just us. The ones who although cognizant and thankful for their blessings, opportunities and achievements, always choose to continue in pursuit. We can always be better. We can always do more. We can always help more. The goal need not be perfection, but continued pursuit and improvement toward doing, building and accomplishing greatness. Never settling or become complacent.

I’ve been blessed to meet others like me, who continue to passionately pursue their goals and chief among those goals is helping others do the same. A good friend, who’s become a mentor to me, always uses the phrase “Be somebody” and “Be somebody in Christ!” These are both so in-line with who he is as a person and how he too feels about life and people.

This man was born into a large family who barely made ends meet. He began to work in a golf pro shop around the age of ten and at twelve years old he started paying into the social security system. You read that right, back in the days before child labor laws, he started paying into the system at twelve years of age.

He went on to enlist in the US Army. This patriotic embodiment of a hard working American then began a career AFTER his retirement from the military at 39 years of age. He is now one of the best know names in his chosen industry, has a vast network of business contacts and spends much of his time in mentoring both kids in the Royal Rangers program, other business professionals that he has developed a relationship with, his very own Passing the Baton initiative, activities in his church, his own annual golf tournament and many other ways of giving back. This is an example of being about it and not just talking about it.

People like us have a low tolerance for shoddy work, complaining and maybe more than anything else, for people who don’t understand that great things are built through and with other people. Not just people like us, but the role players too. When you’ve been blessed as we have you understand that it is a responsibility and high calling to be a blessing to others.

It is high time more people in this country stopped looking at what they don’t have, stopped complaining about what they can’t do and got busy using what they can do and do have to take the first steps toward their dreams. Yes, failures will come. The beauty of learning to step out in faith and banish fear is that failure actually becomes a blessing in terms of the lesson it teaches. It will rear its ugly head. You will have times where you fall flat on your face but my hope and prayer for you is that when this happens, as it has to me, you’ll be better for it. You’ll be stronger for it. You’ll be smarter because of it. Then, you’ll dig in your heels and be more determined than ever.

As a very successful business man and mentor once said to me in the midst of my struggle to make something happen out of a system that lacked structure and clarity, “There are two kinds of people. Those who talk about it and those who make it happen.” He would know because with only an eight grade education and his determination he has now amassed a net worth of hundreds of millions of dollars.

You were created to make it happen. In the words of my good friend, “Be somebody!”

The Dark Side of Leadership

It has been said, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” That can definitely be true in a leadership position. People aspire to be managers and dream of being leaders. While that is certainly an admirable goal, no one ever wants to talk about the tough choices leaders are tasked with making. It’s a nice place to be when things are good. It can be the worst place to be when things don’t go as planned. Coincidentally, the tough times are where true leadership is tested and great leaders are forged.

I feel that in general I deliver on one of my key goals and values of making my team members feel valued. I have the ability to coach them and encourage them to push themselves and to overall achieve more than they would on their own. I enjoy sowing into others and sharing the wisdom I’ve gained through bad decisions and difficult circumstances. I relish watching someone thrive from a foundation of support and guidance that I’ve provided. There really is nothing better than leading a team that achieves its goals.

There is, however, a dark side behind all the success talk and dreams. The dark side of success is failure. Nothing hurts worse or carries a heavier burden than failure. Worse than failing yourself is failing others. Others that depend on you. No matter how good the team or how solid the company, the unexpected is always lurking around the corner. Things can change in the blink of an eye. Accepting this possibility and responsibility is not for the faint of heart.

Equally difficult are the times when you have to make the tough choice to let a team member go for the greater good of the team and the company or organization as a whole. The leader in me wants to save everyone. I want to believe that no matter how bad the situation or attitude of an employee I can turn it around. The fact is, I can’t. There are times when changes have to be made. You see, in leadership, you must be able to make these decisions in the best interest of the business or team, no matter how difficult.

I can deal with the risk of failure. I can put it on the line knowing the unexpected may lurk in and ruin a great team or company. I can bear the responsibility of answering to mistakes and accepting blame. Of all these, the one thing that will still keep me up at night and haunt me is letting someone go. Even when it’s the right choice. Even when it has to be done. Even when that troublesome employee is jeopardizing the others. Don’t read this wrong, I can, will, have and will continue to do this whenever necessary. I’ll also always self-evaluate in order to make sure that any responsibility I failed in or opportunity I missed that would have prevented the dismissal, doesn’t happen again.

I’ll wonder what else I could have done. I’ll wonder what it feels like to be in the home or heart of that person. I’ll wonder if it will cause them financial hardship. I’ll hope they don’t think it’s personal and that I’m just some jerk who doesn’t like them. I’ll pray about it before and I’ll continue to pray about it and for that person, after. I’ll hope that after the time we’ve gotten to know each other they’ll take something positive away. I’ll hope they do some reflecting and self-evaluation. I know I will. Then, I’ll move on and they will too.

Even when it was the right choice, the best choice and even if it was the only choice. This is part of the burden of the leader.   The best leaders don’t spend much time beating their chest for all the victories, the big deals they’ve closed, the lives they’ve saved, the homeruns they’ve hit. They spend their time wondering how to avoid the lost deal, the lost life, the soured employee, the strikeout. How to be better. Chasing perfection. Constant improvement.

I’m not sure how others deal with it but it’s during those difficult times I’m most sensitive to God’s grace and mercy. His blessings are what remind me that ultimately He is in control. He knows my heart. He knows my strength’s and he knows my weaknesses. Most importantly, He loves that other person more than I ever could and He also has both our best interests at heart. I hope they find Him. I hope they know Him. If so, I really have nothing to worry about and neither do they because the greater issue is resolved.

Luck?

How many times have you caught yourself witnessing something that leaves you saying or thinking, that was lucky? How many times have you thought, what are the odds of that? You know, as Christians I think we often get caught up in thinking that miracles and blessings should be wrapped in radiant light and accompanied by an army of angels. From a business perspective we tend to attribute the good things that happen to our hard work and intelligence. We like to think we earned it. I think this leaves us neglecting the fact that if we believe in God and we believe in His son Jesus Christ then we know things aren’t just “lucky”. Even when we put in work with our God-given talents and abilities we’re still blessed to have that opportunity at all. (Philippians 4:19)

When was the last time you as an employee or business owner felt blessed that you received your paycheck or that someone paid their bill on time? It’s not our nature to feel that is a blessing since people “owe” us that money, right? Well, guess what? There are people this very day whose businesses may not make it due to being owed money by people or companies that aren’t paying them for one reason or another. There are people right now wondering how they’ll make Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas gifts for their kids happen because they are owed money by their employer. You see even the simplest things that we come to expect and rely on are indeed blessings and sometimes miracles in disguise.

Think back to all the things you’ve prayed for during your life. If you’re like me you’ve probably blocked out the teenage years or you’re able to laugh very hard at those prayers now. Oh how clueless we were. Whether it was about the one you couldn’t live without or that spot on the team those prayers at that time meant the world to us. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t get caught up in our emotions and desires but remains focused on His desires for our lives? Imagine life if you’d received the answer you wanted (at that time) to every prayer you’ve made. Exactly. Garth Brooks sang it best with the lyrics “Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers.”

In my professional life if God would have granted me every job or promotion I thought I wanted or needed at the time then what I’m doing now would look very different. Although I may very well be comfortable and have a good career I wouldn’t be doing the things God has placed in my heart to do. I would have settled in my career and been left to wonder “what if”.

We tend to look at people in the friend, family, or enemy camp. That is human nature. It is not, however, Christ’s nature. Quite often after a bad relationship, either dating or a friendship, we remember the negative and are thankful those relationships are over. What we often fail to realize is that even when things don’t work out in those relationships they are still blessings. They help us to grow, mature, and hopefully reflect on how we come across to others a little deeper. It’s not about what someone has done to you as much as it is how you handle it and how difficult it is for you to extend grace.

Professionally if I stayed hung up on every employer who has slighted me then I would have had very few opportunities and more than likely very little advancement. Most importantly I wouldn’t have open doors and solid relationships with previous employers. Those relationships with former mentors and employers have evolved into friendships and open lines of communication that all serve to expand my professional network and experience. How would you feel if every employer you had was unforgiving for every time you were five minutes late or using their computer to surf the internet?

You see all these things that we consider normal and routine all work together for part of a bigger picture. The bigger picture being that quite often blessings and even miracles aren’t evident on the surface. Behind the scenes of those paychecks you are owed or unpaid invoices may be a person or business struggling mightily just like you may be. They may be wondering how they will keep their head above water. Then, a way is provided. Even though you don’t know the details and you are only receiving what you were “owed” it was in fact a behind the scenes miracle. How many of those have you missed?

We probably won’t ever truly know the answer to that last question until the day we meet our Lord and Savior. However, in this current life we have the ability to put our self aside and grow more in Christ. As this happens, you will be more aware and consequently more thankful, for the blessing and miracles that happen in our “routine” lives every single day. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 4:16)

When Business Is Not Just Business

You’ve heard it said, “business is business”. That holds true for most business-first type mindsets. However, if you claim to be a Christian and to know Jesus Christ, it will never be business-first and it will always be people-first. Yeah, I know, I lost some of you there. You shook your head and the voice inside said “that’s why your way will never work in the business world.” Wrong.

Putting people first is never a hindrance or burden to your business or profession. As a business owner or professional you aren’t doing employees, coworkers, or often even customers any favors if they can’t count on you for honest feedback and instruction. Not just verbally, but in demonstration and commitment as well.

Let’s say you have a salesman on your staff who is a terrible people person, lacks knowledge of your product or service and isn’t convincing in anything they do, other than convincing you that they are bad at sales. Putting this person first is not blindly overlooking the obvious. Putting them first is caring enough to point out where their weaknesses lie, offering to help correct them and giving them a chance as you support and encourage them in their effort of improvement. At this point, your commitment has either helped them grow and become better at the job or proved that they are ill suited for sales. If the latter holds true, then keeping that person in that position is actually harming them. People need to be good at what they do and to feel valued. That is impossible when you’re not good at what you do. People are usually aware of this even if they won’t admit it. Most of us know when we’re bad at something or it doesn’t suit us. At this point, we find a position where they are better suited or we release them to find a position somewhere else that better suits them.

We see this lack of honesty and clarity in the personal and professional realm all the time. We see it in friendships, marriages, families, etc. Rather than risk hurting someone’s feelings or offending them we just ignore the issue or worse, we sometimes support and encourage the problem in what we perceive as a spirit of love, loyalty or passivity. All of these can actually cause much more damage to ignore than to lovingly, caringly and committedly address the problem.

How many times have you seen or been a child that lacks talent and ability in a certain area? Most of us wish the child would excel. The truth and best interest of that child isn’t the easy route. The worst thing for that child is to have “those parents” who tell them how great they are and how bad everyone else is. “Those parents” who are the loudest and most obnoxious cheering section and always find fault with the other children while only pointing out the good in their own. The child’s lack of talent and ability will be exposed at some point. They will be forced to realistically confront their actual talent and abilities compared to those who genuinely excel. They will either see it for themselves or their peers will point it out. Life works that way. Business is no different.

Had “those parents” backed off and taken a long term, yet difficult approach to their child’s future they would have better prepared them for what lay ahead. Perhaps, as is the goal of all parents, they would have steered them into finding their true gift or calling. Painful correction, discipline or interaction now can save someone from even worse pain or failure in their future. Providing someone with a false foundation in confidence, identity, and self-recognition insures that future battles with adversity and insecurity will be much more difficult than necessary. Loving and having a heart for others gets you dirty and requires hard work and commitment.

If someone is ill suited for a position based on their skillset and disposition then encouraging or supporting them in a continuation down that path is dishonest, lacks true compassion and is not a display of genuine love at all. It’s either a display of insecurity or lack of care and commitment.

As a conclusion to this, we have one last key issue. You cannot possibly instruct someone in love and concern for their well-being if you yourself are riddled with insecurity or suffer from a lack of integrity. If you do, this will come to light immediately. Not only in the results but also in your relationship with those around you. (Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Luke 6:31 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.)

If you aren’t honest with yourself and willing to open up and receive constructive and honest criticism from those closest to you then you yourself are not yet equipped to provide instruction. If this is the case, you have to work on you, your heart, and your relationship with your Heavenly Father. If you’re right with Him and are confident of your identity according to Him then you should be equipped for this commitment to loving, sowing into and committing to making a difference in the lives of others.

No one called to lead in the business realm should be riddled with insecurity. Insecurity always breeds insecurity. Insecurity is an emotional and contagious cancer. As a business leader you have the responsibility of surrounding yourself with friends and mentors who put your well-being and personal growth ahead of being your friend. These people don’t always tell you things that are easy to hear, but they help stretch you. They help hold you accountable. You have a responsibility to yourself and others to not surround yourself with your “boys and girls” but to surround yourself with men and women of integrity who aren’t scared to leave a mark when necessary. Insecure people cannot deal with this.

You won’t be a perfect leader or coworker. You will make mistakes. Remember, people can handle you making mistakes and not being perfect, when they know that you genuinely care about them. What makes the difference is being transparent and taking ownership for your actions. Be the leader or coworker people need and they will become the employees and coworkers you and your company need. By doing the right things, the right way, everyone wins in life and business in spite of the outcome.

Get Up You Have Work To Do

Making a commitment to pursue your dreams will lead you down one of the scariest paths you’ve ever traveled. Behind every good success story are chapters of failure, despair, choices to keep moving forward or give up and countless other struggles prior to the victory. Is it coincidence that life works this way? Is it odd that the ultimate blueprint for life, the Bible, is loaded with these very stories from each and every victor?

God created us (all of US) to be victors. He created us to grow through struggles and to be molded into the very likeness (more and more like Jesus) it takes to grow in Him and in His will for your life (1 John 2:6, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:1-25). Life works this way not so we experience pain and defeat but that we can grow in ways that allow us to prepare for and build on victory. The greatest breakthroughs in life occur right after the toughest struggles. I, and many I know, would argue that you can never really appreciate victory if you haven’t overcome a struggle.

A mentor of mine was once giving me a tour of his property that included some hunting land stocked with trophy bucks, a beautiful cabin he had built complete with hybrid bass stocked lake and helicopter landing pad on a peninsula in the lake. As we talked, he said to me, “I always told myself I’d be a millionaire by the time I was 30. Little did I know, I’d lose it all by 35.” He then told me he’d bought this very property twice. Could he have done that if he’d groveled and become bitter in his failure after his first loss? Would he have reached the levels of success he knows now (Those levels include selling multiple businesses for seven and even eight digit figures and continuing to operate several highly profitable companies)?

I read often. Books about business and Christian oriented books to help me grow spiritually. I read and study the things I’m passionate about. The fact of the matter is, however, all the reading and education in the world does me no good if I don’t have real world experience. As painful as it is, failure is part of that experience.

I am where I am in my life right now because I knew God had called me to step out in faith and trust that the visions and dreams He planted in my heart could be achieved if I was faithful to Him and His plan for me. I’d love to tell you that I said “Yes” and that everything after that has all been a blessing poured down on me. What God knew that I didn’t, was that if I were aware of the struggles and trials I’d be put through I probably never would have stepped out at all. If I’d known I’d be dealing with the things I’ve dealt with in this journey I’d have stayed where it was safe.

Based on where I came from, my level of formal education and background in general, where I was could have already been considered victory. I could have anchored down, played it safe and thanked God for blessing me the way He did. I could have been satisfied and content that my family was provided for, I had a good job, and I got to see places all over North America and even Europe. Places I never dreamed I’d see. Michael Irwin said, “In life, you’re either moving forward or backwards, towards something or away from it, growing stronger or becoming weaker. Always striving to be in a constant positive motion.” Reread that, and let it sink in.

Where are you right now? Are you focusing on how very hard everything is? Are the struggles all compounding and making you think you should just give up? Are you wondering why these challenges come to you? If you are a Christian, you should thank God. Thank God that you have these thoughts and these trials because the only way you will overcome and grow is to put all your faith in God and His plan for your life. (James 1:2-8)

I’m in a fight right now as are many of you. Most people would tell me (and you) to seek shelter and comfort. Take the easy route. Christian’s aren’t called to the easy. We are called to overcome the toughest trials, struggles, attacks and obstacles in life through the sheer blessing of God’s grace and love. When that happens, we glorify Him (and that is the true value of a Christian life). You don’t know faith if you’ve never struggled. You don’t know victory until you’re down to nothing, with limited or no options on the horizon, thinking you know God has to work in this particular way and He shows up in a way you never imagined. You don’t know how good God is until you’re facing something you know would send the old you into a tailspin of anger, depression, defeat or all three and you come out the other side stronger and more on fire for God than you’ve ever been. We’ve already won, but only God knows how and when. That is enough for me. (John 16:33)

It’s time for you to get up. Stop being complacent. Stop thinking and start doing. Start moving forward. Start your day in prayer. Take time out for reading your Bible. Surround yourself with others who share your goal. People who make you better. It’s time to move forward and step into what God has for you. I will offer you one last piece of advice: Buckle up, it’s going to be one wild ride. (2 Timothy 5-9 MSG)

If you have a story of overcoming that can help those who may read this, please do share in the comments section below. As Christians we are called to do life together. People like to hear other people being real. It encourages others when you share your stories. If you need prayer and guidance in overcoming your own battles, comment below, or email us at info@christianbusinessalliance.org. That is what this is all about.

The Best Gift Is To Care

It’s that time of year again. The holidays, end of year taxes, finances, possibly inventory and all the other fun things you get to deal with in your business. Your employees are all stressed out over their preparation for their own family Christmas and wondering just what that bonus will be this year (assuming you are one of the few companies who still give bonuses). It’s that time of year where everyone is so consumed with spending money, decorations, festivities and other peripheral clutter that we all lose sight of what this season should really be about. Employees are distracted and preoccupied with everything else and are for the most part less productive from now into the New Year.

From someone who has management experience and is very driven and mindful of company resources it makes you want to snap everyone to attention. Remind them that if not for the job they have the stress wouldn’t even be possible. If not for the provision their paycheck provides they would in fact have nothing at all. Remind employees that they have a job to do so stay focused. Remind them that bonuses aren’t to be expected and that receiving anything at all should make you thankful. Then I remember how I felt in their shoes. I remember the things that were important to me.

I worked for a company once that had approximately 450 employees at the time. They had several offices around the Southeast and into Texas. The owner of the company personally called every employee on their birthday. He not only told them “Happy Birthday” but asked questions about their personal lives and how their job was going. This same company provided all employees with a Christmas card and a $50 bill at Christmas time on top of the annual Christmas party dinner. The way they went about this made it count. Everyone felt like they mattered, because they do.

During my time with another company I experienced a similar feeling around the holidays. The owner seemed to relish his role as Santa. The two weeks leading up to Christmas quite often found employees who arrived at their desk to find gift cards, bottles of wine or liquor (I am not advocating this), and various other types of gifts. Honey Baked Hams arrived for each employee and a Christmas party/dinner was planned each year. Bonuses were sometimes given as early as 3 weeks prior to Christmas. It was an exciting time and a wonderful gesture that made you feel appreciated.

I also know the feeling of being completely let down. One of the best paying jobs I held also included the promise of an annual bonus due in December that was “discretionary”. Apparently discretionary in that case, meant zero. Zero in spite of achieving results and going above and beyond my specified duties. This company sent no Christmas card, had no Christmas party, and made no effort and gifts or tidings of any kind. Nothing.

The Christmas holidays present the perfect opportunity for you as a business owner, leader or employee to have an impact on someone and make a difference. Yes, times are stressful. People may in fact be preoccupied and less productive. Use this as an opportunity to show grace. Sympathize with people and their situations. The holidays are a difficult time for many people. This can be due to the loss of a loved one around that time or simply not having them there for the holidays, financial burdens, broken families, etc. You cannot “fix” these problems. You can, however, choose to care.

I encourage you, if you are in a position of influence with your company, to look for ways to spread Christmas cheer among your employees. Random gift cards are nice and people can use them for last minute Christmas shopping. Lunch at the office is nice and fosters a team atmosphere. Most of us know of employees who have outstanding medical bills so why not make a contribution towards those expenses (maybe even anonymously)? Give Christmas bonuses in time for employees to use this for their holiday shopping. Invite that single person, bachelor, or single mom/dad and their child who would otherwise spend Christmas alone over to your Christmas dinner. Look for ways to care.

These suggestions and principals should apply to your treatment of employees and coworkers year round but what better time of year to start focusing on this and becoming intentional in your efforts? When you foster an atmosphere of care and appreciation for your employees and coworkers that care and appreciation will be reciprocated. No, not by everyone, but by the majority. This will be reflected in the culture and dynamic of your company. In the end, people work harder, longer, and sacrifice more for people who truly care about them and reflect this in the way they treat others.

No matter how cliché, you can make a difference this holiday season.   So, rather than just having a Merry Christmas, find ways to help others have a Merry Christmas because that in itself is so much more rewarding.

What Are Your Priorities?

One crucial aspect in assuring you as a Christian are successful in your calling for work in the business realm is working to insure your priorities are clear and straight. I suggest you write these down somewhere, expand on them briefly, and revisit them in times of triumph and of struggle. All the success in the world means nothing if you compromise everything to gain it. (Mark 8:36)

First priority for any Christian, period, is their relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Insuring you place priority on your spiritual growth will give you everything you need to overcome adversity and manage success. Ways to do this include: prayer, being connected to a local church, study of and time reading your Bible, small groups through your church, and a strong group of friends composed of fellow Christians. Maintaining this most important of priorities will also serve to strengthen you in avoiding the inevitable temptations that arise in business such as cutting corners, white lies, inappropriate workplace relationships and avoiding difficult conversations that would best serve you and employees or coworkers, just to name a few. Placing emphasis on your strength and identity in Jesus won’t by any means make you perfect but will give you the tools to handle the imperfections, including God’s grace to forgive yourself and others when mistakes are made.

The second priority on most people’s list should be family. Even men and women who go to work every day to jobs they love generally do so to provide for their family at home. By family I don’t necessarily mean wife or husband and kids. A family starts the moment you’re married so it can in fact just be your spouse. Make sure that all your hard work and dedication to success don’t come at the expense of your family at home. If you have to neglect your support system and those who love and care for you then you have tarnished not just your personal legacy but also the gifts God granted you that allowed your success. You will be much more successful in business with a happy home. (I Timothy 5:8)

Oddly enough, in discussing these keys to success, we’re going to make dedication to your work, as in your career or business, the number three priority. Crazy, right? Number three? As Christians, get used to it. If you apply man’s logic to life you will quickly run afoul of God logic. You know, the God logic that puts others first? The God logic that loves the unlovable and forgives the unforgivable as Jesus also forgave us? Stay fresh and zealous in your career path and focus. When you know you’re working where God has called you, don’t allow yourself to become mired in discontent. Maintain your focus on the ultimate goal God has placed in your heart. Educate yourself on this goal through reading, documentaries, spending time with successful people in your field or the business realm in general and overall maintaining your excitement and passion for your career or business. (Isaiah 55:8, Matthew 5:46, Colossians 3:13)

The last focus, although not by level of importance, will be your goals. What is your mission in business? How does that mission statement you wrote back when your company began read? What was your passion and focus when you began your career journey? Keep that goal constant and maintain focus. If you happen to achieve that goal, move it back and create a greater one. Don’t become complacent.

I realize these are all fairly simple and common sense goals. I would also like to state that I struggle with maintaining focus and adhering to all the advice I just offered. Yes, I am a motivated individual. I am very competitive and that drives me for success. My problem is I can rarely keep all of these in line at the same time. I am far from perfect and I suspect the same for you. Let’s work on these goals together and as a community I think we as Christian business men and women and all of those we do life with will be better off for it.

It’s Not You, It’s Him

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my career (and life), is that it really is not about me at all. That sounds funny, since it is MY career. Truth is, it really is not MY anything. As a Christian, and specifically as a Christian with a calling in the business realm, it ceased being about me. What it is about, is what I will allow Christ to do through me (Phillipians 4:13).

Quite frankly, if I listened to the world, I would not be where I am or writing this. I am just a guy from south Alabama that grew up beyond modestly, actually poor. I don’t say that with shame. There probably were times in my life where I did wish to conceal that fact. However, I’ve learned now that I am not a victim of my circumstances. I am a product of my circumstances. I was blessed with a father who taught me so much about honesty, integrity, Christ, and that I was just as valuable as any other person on this earth. I was blessed with extended family that even in its dysfunction served as a source of love and support. My parents both came from tough circumstances and provided a better life for me.

I had friends all my life that had parents, grandparents, or close family members who were part of the upper middle class in our small town. They or their family members owned something or were part of something influential in our small town realm. So, yes, at times I wished I had those connections or that help along the way. Now, I am proud to say that everything I have accomplished and been blessed with in my life was achieved through a lot of God’s grace and a lot of hard work.

God gave me a clear vision that one day (only grasped, clarified, verified, and committed to about 4-5 years ago) I would have ownership in a company and be instrumental in building it. I know it will be very successful if I remain true to the vision he’s given me and true to seeking His will for my life. I have had opportunities to take shortcuts and will probably have more. They are decisions that would provide a comfortable and stable life for myself and my family. I’m not here on this earth just for comfortable and stable. I’m here to do what God has called me to do. I’m here to impact others in this calling.

My God sized vision could have been shot down from the minute I heard it. I could have said it was impossible. I could have dwelled on the fact that I grew up in a home with wheels, a trailer. To further the stereotype of a rural south Alabama boy who grew up in a trailer and didn’t graduate from college, I also became the father of a child right out of high school. I was an only child (outside of a half-brother that wasn’t really in the picture) to parents who not only struggled financially but more importantly in their relationship to each other. Without going into too much detail this all could be a crutch, an excuse, a reason even, for why I didn’t amount to anything different. What all of these became were blessings and lessons that serve to fuel my visions and dreams. Lessons that God truly does work all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

I’ve been blessed already. God provided me with opportunities that allowed me to mature and acquire a skill set and knowledge of an industry and professions I never dreamed of being involved in. Successful businessmen, some millionaires, some multimillionaires have become good friends and mentors to me. They’ve encouraged me in my career and professional growth. Most importantly, they’ve believed in me and my knowledge and expertise. They’ve allowed me to prove myself and further my reputation. Thanks to these people and opportunities I am sought out by many people and companies for my knowledge and ideas.

I still don’t know exactly what God has in store for my next move, but I know what he has in store for my future. I know that he has plans for me, plans of peace, a future, and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I also know that God has plans for you too. If you’re a Christian business owner, leader or professional I encourage you to take some key steps in your journey. They are as follows:

• Find out what God’s vision is for your life and make that your vision. Each skill, lesson, contact, etc. that you have learned, acquired or otherwise been blessed with is for a reason. Do you have a driving passion for sales? Accounting? Counseling? Teaching? It starts there. (*Habakkuk 2:2-3)
• Commit to God’s vision and the passions He has instilled in you and let him know you are fully aware that none of it will come to pass without His help. (*Psalms 33:20-22)
• Make this mission your goal, remain reliant and faithful, and allow God to grow you while he moves you closer to what He has in store for you. (*John 2:17, Psalms 43:3)

(*These verses were used in the sermon by Pastor Joe Champion in the first part of his “Forward” series, which also deals with moving forward in the vision God has placed in your heart. This sermon can be found at www.celebrationchurchtx.com under Media)

I will tell you that God dreams are B-I-G. Quite often I believe we as Christians never embrace these dreams because they are so big. We’re scared of them and don’t believe they are really to come to pass. If your dream seems achievable without much inconvenience or faith then that is not a God dream. That’s a human dream, a smart dream, more of an achievable and reasonable objective than a God dream.

Your greatest fulfillment on this earth is when you find your God dream, your God instilled passions and talents and utilize them for the advancement of the Kingdom and ultimately to glorify God. I implore everyone reading this to make sure you have connected with your God dream and vision. Then start praying, focusing, educating yourself, and moving to make it happen.

I will also warn you that when you find that calling, that God dream, and you step out in faith and commit to making it happen you will unleash spiritual warfare and attacks (1 Peter 5:8-9). The enemy has no use in attacking someone who is having no impact. I also feel the level of attacks are often directly related to the size of the impact your dream has. Be sure and surround yourself with strong prayer partners and be connected to a strong church that is alive and also chasing a God dream. Be in constant prayer for God’s leading, for Him to mold you, and to provide you with a spirit of wisdom and discernment.

From my own experience I can tell you that stepping into your calling doesn’t provide a yellow brick road. It’s more like a dark, scary forest (Psalms 23:4). There will be times you’ll feel alone, maybe even forgotten. You will question yourself, your dream and many other things. In this process you will grow and mature spiritually and you will deepen in the realization that God really is for you (Romans 8:31). When that happens, you will be unstoppable. You’ll leave the dreamer realm and you will then be a conqueror. Welcome to the club. We have work to do.

There IS a Better Way to Do This

3 Focal Points for Your Business (and personal) Life

The primary goal for your life is relationship. That is why you were created and that is why you are here. If you do not believe that, then you probably also do not believe in God or his son Jesus Christ and by now probably are not reading this anyway. I kid, I kid. There are plenty of us that have issues with people skills. I can quite often be one of them but fortunately God is not done with me yet. There are behind the scenes roles in business that do not require much human interaction. The rest of us are going to move forward now and pray for you later (kidding again).

You were created first and foremost for relationship with God (Isaiah 43:7). Secondly, you were created for relationship with other people (Hebrews 10:24-25). What better platform to build relationships than the business realm? Not only do you get to accept the challenge to meet and gain the trust of so many types of people and personalities but you get to build your business while you do it! As a Christian business owner or leader you will not reach many of the next steps if you do not choose to make building solid relationships with your employees and coworkers, as well as your customers, a top priority.

Another important focus for your Christian business should be on giving. Yes, I said it. Giving. No, I did not say selling. I did not say billing. I did not say tax write off. All of those are important and through your giving you may indeed get a tax write off but if that is your focus then keep it. Yes, most Christians agree with tithing. If not, that is a whole other debate and topic. I can tell you from experience that tithing the minimum 10% does bring a peace of mind and blessing on the other 90% that will never be experienced otherwise. If you have trouble with 10% right out of the gate, then the Christian lifestyle is probably not for you because that is just the beginning (If you’re inclined to walk away now and keep your money, don’t, keep moving forward, God will work that out too). (Matthew 25:44-45, Acts 20:35)

When you listen to God you will be led to give all kinds of money and resources. If you are not careful you will not even be able to avoid eye contact with the homeless man at the intersection anymore. You know that money in your wallet or purse for Starbucks? You may have to GIVE that money to someone. I apologize if this is too much for you at once. Take a deep breath and let us move on.

Many Christians feel if they tithe on their income then they have met their “obligation”. However, God’s word is clear on what happens to those who freely give, those who give with a cheerful heart and on and on (2 Corinthians 9:7, Luke 6:38). I challenge you to find ways to give not just monetarily but also of your time, resources, and the area of your expertise. Imagine (channeling my inner John Lennon but with a belief in God) a community where Christian businesses committed to serving others not just as individuals but through their businesses also. Own a bakery? Give free food, teach an aspiring baker how it’s done (yes, there is the chance they steal your family secret and open next door) or give the staff an off day to serve others while still getting paid (GASP!). Own a car dealership? Start a program to provide vehicles to those in need, help people repair their credit, or give someone in need a job. Are you an attorney? How about some pro-bono work outside of that which is already required. Partner with a non-profit or other Christian organization and put your skills to use. This list can go on forever but I think you get the point. Use what you have to help others in all sorts of ways.

The last point I would like to mention will make no sense to the business mind but will make perfect sense to those who are God-minded. Forgiveness. Yes, even in business. Does someone or some other company owe your business money? If you have the authority there are times when you should practice forgiveness. Now, if you do not own the business and are in a position of leadership I would not suggest you to forgive that $10,000.00 dollar unpaid invoice. That would fall under a discussion of theft. (Ephesians 4:32)

Let us just be honest here and acknowledge that lawsuits are rarely productive for either party (sorry attorneys). After legal fees, time lost, stress, and possibility for damage of reputation there are few times that it was worth it. So, from a selfish standpoint you are better to turn that into forgiveness anyway (remember, God knows your heart). Those of you who have forgiven offenses in your past can imagine the feeling of release and sense of peace when you send that invoice that is past due and obviously will not be paid with a note explaining why you are forgiving the debt. There may be times when a customer owes you money but cannot afford to pay but does not want release from the debt. In this circumstance I would suggest allowing them to trade services or labor. Find a way to allow them to clear the debt by the means available to them. (Matthew 6:14-15)

I may have thrown you a couple curves today. I would apologize but I would not mean it. The bottom line is that through these three basic Christian principals of being focused on 1) Relationships, 2) Giving, and 3) Forgiveness we can all help impact the business community and ultimately the Kingdom for His good.