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In Part Two with David Morken, the team discusses more thoroughly about what it means to be mission ready both individually and corporately. David talks about the importance of obedience to God and avoiding the pitfalls of both willfulness and passivity and Henry leads the discussion into practical applications of how their company’s HR policies intentionally reflected kingdom values as they target the whole person for impact. This commitment led them to institute chaplaincy roles as a force multiplier to help them steward the whole person policies they wanted to instill. David shares further on a few other ways the company has and continues to innovate in the area of ensuring the whole team is mission ready.

 If you’re committed to growing healthy, impactful organizations that walk out the values of the kingdom, then this is the episode for you. If you are innovating in the areas of employee well being and engagement and are seeing the results directly impact your organization’s reach and bottom line, by all means share those wins with us at faithdrivenentrepreneur.org. Until next week!

Photo by SpaceX on Unsplash

This video was originally published by our friends at the National Christian Foundation (NCF) whose work aims to serve a global generosity movement. With 30 local teams, unparalleled expertise, and the most creative giving solutions, learn more about their work here.

In the small town of Stanford, Kentucky, Jess and Angela Correll are leading a revival of sorts. Their sense of stewardship helped a struggling town through their entrepreneurship. From the Correll’s bank to restaurant to hotel to other small businesses, the local economy is prospering, and its residents are getting inspired to be a generous community!

Enjoy this 5-minute video of how an entrepreneurial couple can rally a community towards giving!

QUOTES:

“Through generosity, hospitality, and excellence, we try to create spaces where you can sense the peace of God.”

“When the Israelites were captive in Babylon, they didn’t just pray for the good of the Israelites but also for the good of their city. We prayed how we could do the same.”

(On client relationships) “When you’re nice and hospitable to people… and do business that way it’ll be something that will suit both your economics teacher and your Sunday School teacher.”

…

[Special thanks to Brandon Jacoby on Unsplash for the cover photo.]

We continue to count down the Top 100 Books for Faith Driven Entrepreneurs …

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business

by Gino Wickman

Do you have a grip on your business, or does your business have a grip on you?

All entrepreneurs and business leaders face similar frustrations—personnel conflict, profit woes, and inadequate growth. Decisions never seem to get made, or, once made, fail to be properly implemented. But there is a solution. It’s not complicated or theoretical.The Entrepreneurial Operating System® is a practical method for achieving the business success you have always envisioned. More than 2,000 companies have discovered what EOS can do.

In Traction, you’ll learn the secrets of strengthening the six key components of your business. You’ll discover simple yet powerful ways to run your company that will give you and your leadership team more focus, more growth, and more enjoyment. Successful companies are applying Traction every day to run profitable, frustration-free businesses—and you can too.

For an illustrative, real-world lesson on how to apply Traction to your business, check out its companion book, Get A Grip.

Click on the book cover to check out the Reviews and Purchase at Amazon

Please enjoy this article shared with us by our friends at Entrepreneurial Leaders Organization (ELO) Network which provides excellent opportunities to get connected with Christian marketplace and entrepreneurial leaders in cities around the world like, Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, Hong Kong or Singapore. And do check out their upcoming events on our Industry Events page!

[This is the first of two blog posts. Part II will be posted next Friday.]

— by ELO Network

The most influential Christians today—such as Mark Burnett, John C. Maxwell, Lord Robert Edmiston and Bobby Gruenewald—are often entrepreneurial leaders. The synergy of an entrepreneurial approach combined with an understanding of leadership can lead to an exponential impact in organizations, churches and society.

What, then, is entrepreneurial leadership? First, let’s look at entrepreneurship. There are various dimensions to understanding entrepreneurship fully. Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, talks about innovation as the sine qua non of entrepreneurship. Henry Mintzberg, one of the world’s leading management thinkers, highlights the creative process and how entrepreneurship is a blend of craft, art and science. Howard Stevenson offers the so-called Harvard definition: the pursuit of opportunity without regard to the resources controlled. Larry C. Farrell, one of the world’s leading entrepreneurship trainers, focuses on the importance of self-inspired behavior. Lastly, Robert A. Hisrich focuses on the importance of proper risk assessment, balancing investment, emotions and time pressure. All of these perspectives are components of entrepreneurship.

Secondly, we need a clear understanding of leadership. Like entrepreneurship, there are many perspectives on this topic. John Maxwell simply says that leadership is influence. A more complete definition is that leadership is a relationship of influence within which followership is gained and goals are met. There are biblical insights on leadership. In the Bible leadership involves casting a vision with examples such as Moses, Paul and Jesus. In addition, leaders take a “systemic” approach in which the leader is part of the system, such as the body of Christ. Leadership also involves exercising stewardship of the gifts and talents of others – good leaders give power away by empowering others. Like entrepreneurship, the notion of leadership has various important dimensions.

With this context of an understanding of both entrepreneurship and leadership, I want to highlight two key aspects of a Christian perspective on entrepreneurial leadership. First, God-inspired creativity is embedded in a Christian approach. God is the “Creator.” He is the ultimate source of creativity. God is a doer, imagining, designing and speaking into existence the earth. Entrepreneurs have God-inspired creativity. We don’t create something out of nothing. Instead, we are creative in the derivative sense of sharing with God the continuing stewardship of the world. We help bring creation to fulfillment. We are called to extend the sanctuary (the Garden) and to “fill the earth” not only with people but by humanizing the earth through creative work.

A second element of a Christian approach relates to risk taking. Without risk there will be no innovation! Man and woman are placed in the “Garden of Opportunity.” God commissioned them to have dominion, but did not specify how to do so. Let’s look at a parable about the Kingdom of God – the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30). A master entrusts three servants with talents—talents were a measure of money or gold—while the master goes away. Each servant gets what the master thinks he is capable of undertaking as a steward: 5, 2 and 1. The one with five talents has made 5 and the one with 2 talents has made 2 through opportune investment and taking a risk. The master commends them and invites them to celebrate his joy. The servant who had one talent and buried it in the ground is soundly condemned as a wicked servant and cast out. Why? He had a wrong view of stewardship as preservation rather than investment! He had the wrong view of the Kingdom of God—sit around and wait for its coming. He was risk-averse (of the master he said, “I knew you are a hard man.”). The bottom line is that it is a sin to squander what God has given us to use; we should be empowered to take risk.

I will provide four examples of Christian entrepreneurial leaders who have innovated, taken risk through new ventures, and who have had a significant impact within their spheres of influence. The first example of an effective entrepreneurial leader is Mark Burnett. He is the #1 TV producer is Hollywood. He has an amazing life journey, going from being a British paratrooper to a nanny in the US to one of the top success stories in Hollywood. His commercial success includes shows such as Survivor, Apprentice, Shark Tank and The Voice. He has not, however, been content with his professional and financial success. As he told me, “I want to make a difference.” He has used his creativity to envision new projects and he has taken financial and reputation risks to implement them. Burnett originated the idea of “The Bible” miniseries—not a very popular idea in Hollywood. Despite his stellar track record he encountered many difficulties in terms of the financing and launch of the miniseries. Later he then launched “The Son of God” movie with a wide theatrical release. Burnett has displayed a lot of creativity in his ventures and he has had a huge impact from a faith perspective. He told me he wants to be a “noisy Christian” and drive projects that bring Christianity to mass culture.

…

[Special thanks to Steven Lelham on Unsplash for the cover photo]

Article originally hosted and shared with permission by The Christian Economic Forum, a global network of leaders who join together to collaborate and introduce strategic ideas for the spread of God’s economic principles and the goodness of Jesus Christ. This article was from a collection of White Papers compiled for attendees of the CEF’s 2018 Global Event.

— by Matt Lesser

Dear Son,

You have been an entrepreneur since you first figured out certain chores were worth more than others… and that your mom was a willing negotiator! As you start to make your dreams a reality, realize that everyone’s experiences are unique in the process of starting a business. Life has few guarantees, but one thing is sure: starting your own business will impact your life. It will challenge you in areas you never considered. It will require all the humility, hunger, and drive you have to offer. Stay true to who you are and focused on God—you will forever be better for this experience. It will make you a better spouse, parent, community member, friend, and Christ follower. I believe that because of technology, affluence, and accumulated knowledge, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to influence generations for God’s Kingdom through the marketplace. It will take concentration of effort and unified commitment to creating financial, cultural, and Kingdom returns…for such a time as this. As you embark on this journey, keep these principles at the forefront of your thinking: Vision, Impact, People, Balance, and Returns.

Vision

Cast an inspirational vision for your team and customers. Businesses and people fail because of lack of vision as noted in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Without a leader clearly communicating vision, your team members will be free to develop their own vision to inspire them to action. These different visions can disrupt team unity and induce team conflict as team members struggle to achieve individual vision at the expense of another’s vision.

Vision will focus yourself and your team on a common goal. A team of individuals fully devoted to the vision of the business is no longer just a team: it is one unit moving in the same direction, providing accountability to constantly pursue the vision. A compelling vision becomes a foundation for actions and decisions—both on what to do…and what not to do.

Impact

Solve meaningful problems. People are attracted to organizations that are impact-driven. Your most valuable customers and team members will be driven by the impact of your business. Seek ways to add value to those around you. God has gifted you with unique talents to help you start your business. I urge you to display humility as you lead your business and team towards solving meaningful problems. Humility is accepting gratefully the gifts God gave you and using them every day to serve God and others… and fully accepting your limitations. When your business becomes about serving you, you will lose your edge.

When I had my business, I implored my team to be “solutions-driven,” not “product-driven.” When you help people identify, and solve, meaningful problems, they will be grateful and loyal; they will join you in your vision to make an impact that outlives you. Money is a means to an end—not the end itself. Help people solve their problems, and you will make a greater impact than you could by yourself.

People

Focus on “Who”…before “What” and “How.” Having the right people, professionally and personally, in your corner makes all the difference. Those around you are the people who will help you through some of your toughest times. Strive to build trusting, transparent relationships with your team because the strength of your relationships with individuals will determine the overall strength of your team. As a leader, it is your responsibility to demonstrate and build trust with those around you.

When building your team, look for team members who:

• Create synergies: Look at personalities, views, and experiences that are not your natural strengths…and can mitigate your weaknesses.

• Display Humble, Hungry, and Smart characteristics (Lencioni, 2016): Seek out well-rounded individuals who are constantly improving themselves.

• Deserve your respect and trust: Pursue morally sound and relationally compatible individuals.

• Challenge those around them to be better: Find those who are not afraid to challenge—“iron sharpens iron.”

Balance

Maintain an “end of life” perspective. It is easy to get caught up in never-ending task lists or meetings. Challenge yourself daily to live without regret. Find a girl you love more than your work, marry her, have a family, and pour into them to leave a legacy. Involve yourself with a ministry that energizes you. Build a life outside of work that is worth not missing. When you find balance in your life, you perform at a higher level. You also inspire others around you to do the same. Building a team that is fully devoted to being present where they work, live, play, and worship will drive your team forward as a unit.

Returns

Identify ways to achieve three returns: financial, cultural, kingdom. Your life is not your own. I learned this lesson the hard way. I took over the family business when I was in college out of obligation to my parents. The business failed…and I experienced a suicidal depression that forever changed my perspective and story. God is sovereign and works in ways you will never understand—never forget this. Everything you are and everything you have has been given to you by our Heavenly Father. If you lose the balance between these three returns, your community, family, faith, and business will all suffer.

In the end, if you build relationships with your team, serve your customers by helping solve their problems, and keep your eyes on God—no matter the results—you will have succeeded. Surround yourself with wise counselors, let God be your mentor, and may the Scriptures be your guide. Colossians 3:17 states, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Live and lead your business in a way that is glorifying to God, so one day you will hear from Him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Your mom and I will always be here for you. I love you, my son.
Dad

——

[Special thanks to Aaron Burden on Unsplash for the cover photo]

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In this edition of the FDE Podcast, we get a peek into the longtime friendship and partnership (let’s just call it what it is – a bromance) between David Morken and Henry Kaestner, co-Founders of Bandwidth and Republic Wireless. They share with us the divine origins of their relationship (Henry was a direct answer to David’s prayer) and how their relationship translated into a successful business where people are promoted as much as the product. They talk about the need to be able to work through conflict in healthy ways and the conscious effort needed to incorporate others into this dynamic mix to create high functioning, mission ready, people-centric organizations. And who doesn’t want that?

 Part One of this discussion focuses on the friendship and partnership rooted in Christ that launched the company while next week’s episode gets into how together they created a culture that reproduced kingdom concepts and principles in the lives of their employees. You don’t want to miss any of this. We serve a Trinitarian God who does everything in community and Who tasks us to follow suit.  We’d love to hear your stories about those important relationships in your life directly impacting your faith driven entrepreneur pursuits in the comment section below. It will encourage us all!

Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash