— by Kate Farrar
It has been an unprecedented time for entrepreneurs and professionals during the pandemic crisis of COVID-19. No one has been immune to this rapidly changing market landscape and many are hurting financially as industries are being drastically impacted. If you are like me, the situation has stirred questions of faith. Undoubtedly, times of crisis magnify and reveal strengths and weaknesses, not only within our respective organizations and businesses, but also within each of us as individuals. It may even reveal the areas of our heart that we need the Heavenly Father to tend to.
Perhaps most significantly, these times open our eyes to the little control we have and how desperately we need God. During this season of uncertainty, I am continually reminded to lean into the lessons this season has for me on a practical level for work and on a spiritual level in my relationship with God. I keep hearing the promise from Psalm 23 verse 1: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need.”**
In further reflection on how the global pandemic has impacted the economy and many of our individual careers, work lives, and futures, I wanted to write an open letter to you, the Faith Driven Entrepreneur, with a few practical lessons to draw upon during this unprecedented time alongside some spiritual insights:
1) VIRTUAL IS HERE TO STAY: HOW WILL YOU USE YOUR TIME?
As much of the workforce is sifting through incredible change, it is clear working remote and virtual offices are here to stay. Even if you work in an industry that demands face-to-face interactions, learning how to adapt your work to a remote environment is critical for both the short-term and long-term future.
Therefore, start figuring out how to be productive in this remote environment. How you perform now can impact your career in what will certainly be an increasingly virtual workforce to come. The internet is crawling with work from home tips, so do your homework and be strategic about developing a rhythm that works for you. As a believer, there may be some new spiritual routines to untap as well.
For example, many of us aren’t rushing out the door for our daily commute and we can be intentional with reallocating this extra time to our quiet time (whatever that might look like). Additionally, we have the opportunity to turn our new remote office spaces into altar spaces. Maybe your usual afternoon work break looks like meditating on God’s word or putting on worship music. Resist the need to fill this newly gifted time with productivity. Let me say it again, RESIST the need to work during this freed-up time. Instead, start tithing this time back to God. I am so confident He makes much of our little and this includes the time we give back to Him.
2) ADAPT FAST: GOD IDEAS OVER GOOD IDEAS.
As an entrepreneurial-minded professional, you are likely doing this – adapting fast! Many industries and professions are facing unforeseen challenges that will continue on for months after the pandemic. Your company’s response rate to change now and in the future will dictate its viability and success. Begin asking yourself: what can you do on your own to help your company become more agile? How can you pivot or tailor your services to make them valuable for such a time as this? What new problems are emerging that you can address as an entrepreneur? Times of crisis necessitate creative solutions that are quick to evolve amidst rapidly shifting realities.
This season with all of its obstacles also means there are many opportunities to step into, but you need not chase down every good idea that comes your way. I want to encourage you to pray through ideas and ask God for His ideas. I believe God can speak to us about our work. I often pray for “God ideas” over my good ideas because my best never comes close to His. Pray for the mind of Christ. Pray boldly for His leading on entrepreneurial endeavors you have yet to even think of!
3) LEARN FROM LEADERSHIP: HOW DO YOU LEAD & FOLLOW LIKE CHRIST?
Whether your leadership has been exemplary or disappointing, we can all learn from our leaders in this season. If you have been pleased with your leaders, let them know! Take note of how they are navigating uncharted waters and communicating to their employees and shareholders. Conversely, if you have felt frustrated, think through areas that could be improved and lead from where you are positioned. Criticism during times of chaos or crisis is not productive; creative solutions are a better way to help. Maybe sharing an encouraging word in love could bless your leadership in this time of difficulty and stress.
In learning from leadership, it is essential to understand that before you can lead, you need to practice being a good follower. Our culture is obsessed with leadership, but as Christ followers we should pay special attention to that word “follow.” I know I have had to ask myself how do I follow my leadership well during this season? You might have different ideas on how your company should adapt, but you also need to honor your leadership and be prayerful over the decisions they are making. If you are the leader at your organization, make space to learn from your followers. After all, everyone is learning through this process and humility is a key attribute of Christ-like leadership.
I know there are many facing unprecedented personal and financial challenges amidst this crisis. Many have lost their jobs and missed milestone events. If that is you, I want to extend my deep sympathy. Let us lean into community (albeit virtually), kindness, and generosity like never before to give honor and glory to God whose faithful loves endures forever – enduring through this pandemic. Perhaps extending these virtues despite our own circumstances is the greatest underlying lesson for us as Faith Driven Entrepreneurs and followers of Jesus.
**I love the Passion Translation of Psalm 23, I have it here for you to spend a few minutes reading and resting in:
The Good Shepherd
23 David’s poetic praise to God[a]1 The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.[b]I always have more than enough.2 He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.[c]His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.[d]3 That’s where he restores and revives my life.[e]He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasureand leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness[f]so that I can bring honor to his name.4 Lord, even when your path takes me throughthe valley of deepest darkness,fear will never conquer me, for you already have!You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.Your authority is my strength and my peace.[g]The comfort of your love takes away my fear.I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.5 You become my delicious feasteven when my enemies dare to fight.You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit;[h]you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.6 So why would I fear the future?For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life.Then afterward, when my life is through,I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
——
[ Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash ]
Great accelerators and venture funds like YCombinator and Andreessen Horowitz are designed to solve the common problems of starting a company so the founders can focus on the core new innovation. At the earliest stage, this includes things like forming a corporation, choosing a lawyer, and getting free cloud hosting. In the first few months, founders need help prioritizing what is important, focusing on the right metrics, and preparing how to pitch to investors. Later, founders need help with recruiting, building a sales organization, introductions to large companies, etc. These are challenges that nearly every founder needs help with, and investors are uniquely positioned to provide. Organizations like YC and A16Z can build these support services and share them with hundreds of portfolio companies, giving those companies a huge advantage and higher likelihood to succeed.
However, there is another challenge that many founders face that is largely unserved by anyone: how to deal with the stress, pressure, and damage to relationships that are common for founders.