Profits With A Purpose – Biblical Principles to Build a Business

Business leaders often wonder where they can find the best business advice and counsel in order to build their business. Although good business counsel can be found in a plethora of books, there is only one book that contains all of the best business secrets that business leaders need to know to build a successful business and life. That sacred book is the Bible. I have studied the Bible for years and have often read the words for encouragement, consolation, improvement, and inspiration. I have also found that it contains the best principles in order to build a successful business.

Biblical Principles to Build a Successful Business

Every successful business creates profits. It is often quoted in business circles that you really don’t have a business until you have a profit. In fact, every business has been created and designed to create a profit. But Christian leaders understand that the wrong profit can be damaging. A biblical principle that Christian leaders must follow is to build businesses that have a profit with a purpose. Jesus asked his followers in Mark 8:36 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” This verse teaches a powerful principle that every Christian leader should follow.

The Importance of Profitability

1. God is concerned about good Profitability.

Jesus starts with the fact about what is good and profitable. Jesus does not want his disciples to waste their time on things or actions that have no purpose or use. Godly things grow, and sometimes they can grow exponentially. I often remind Christian business owners that God did not give them their business as a punishment but rather as a tool to gain profitability with a purpose. Many Christian CEOs run from profitability and feel as if making money is bad.

Experience Question: How do you feel about profitability in your company? Do you believe that God has given you that company to do things for good?

2. God is concerned about good Priorities.

Jesus points his disciples to what is good. God does not want the business leader to miss the most important point of our life and our work. He asked a very powerful question about gaining the whole world. God is not against gaining the whole world, but He is against it if we sacrifice the most important things for things that are not as important. This verse is about right priorities. Right priorities keep all things in the right perspective. Every Christian leader should understand a view of their priorities as God would view them.

Experience Question: If God would examine your current priorities would He be pleased and say that your priorities are in the right place?

3. God is concerned about good Production.

Jesus uses the most important word at the end of this principle. Jesus uses the word forfeit. God does want us to forfeit the things that are the most important. The most important thing is our soul. God is concerned about Christian leaders producing a result that they can be proud of the rest of their life and for all eternity. Running a business can be demanding. I have a friend who often reminds business leaders that their business will demand everything that they have and still expect 10% more. It is true that there is always more to be done in the business. Every Christian leader should be careful about what they forfeit in order to get ahead.

Experience Question: What are you sacrificing right now as a leader that you should not be?

This question of Jesus is a powerful question that leads to a powerful business principle. The business that is run by a Chrisitan leader is designed for profits with a purpose. The purpose is to do things that matter and that have a kingdom impact.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ken Gosnell is the “go” leader. He serves leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations that enable to go further faster. He has worked with hundreds of CEOS and their leadership teams to enhance their strategic, operational and people accomplishments. He is an author, coach, and strategic partner with CEOs. He is married to Shonda, and they have four children. You can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kengosnell/

He has also created the CEO Experience Impact Assessment. This assessment helps leaders learn the areas of their leader that they must improve to go forward. Get your score by taking the assessment here.

CXP Launch – All Area Retreat

Over 60 Christian CEOs gathered together to discuss how to have a map to margin in 2018 in order to lead their businesses better. I am giving away a free executive guide to any CEO would like to have a roadmap to develop more margin in their life. Email me at kengosnell@ceoexperience.com in order to receive the executive guide.

Practice Excellence – Biblical Principles to Build a Business

Business leaders often wonder where they can find the best business advice and counsel in order to build their business. Although good business counsel can be found in a plethora of books, there is only one book that contains all of the best business secrets that business leaders need to know to build a successful business and life. That sacred book is the Bible. I have studied the Bible for years and have often read the words for encouragement, consolation, improvement, and inspiration. I have also found that it contains the best principles in order to build a successful business.

Biblical Principles to Build a Successful Business

Building a business on Biblical principles requires a change of perspective. One key perspective that is essential for Christian leaders is to practice excellence at all times and in all situations. The apostle Paul wrote these critical words in Colossians 3:23,24. He said “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Paul was reminding Christian leaders of the higher call that is their lives. Christians are not called just to do work that is average, but rather Christians are called to do all of their work with excellence as a way to honor God.

The Call To Excellence

1. The Christian Leader Strives for Excellence in ALL of their work.

Note the keyword “whatever” at the beginning of verse 23. To God, it does not matter about the type of work that we do. His desire is to be included in all the works that we do. In other words, Christian leaders and business owners can honor God in the variety of tasks that they do on a daily basis. In fact, every task matters. One Christian leader that I know has decided to offer free Bibles at their checkout counter in their store. They are practicing excellence in their check out process. As Christians, we are called to be excellent in all of our work. As Aristotle so eloquently stated, “Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

Experience Questions: What work do you do on a daily basis that is hard to include God in the process? What could you do to honor God with that work?

2. The Christian Leader Strives for Excellence in SMALL tasks.

Excellence shows itself in the small, daily, seemingly inconsequential tasks. Steve Jobs once said “We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? So this is what we’ve chosen to do with our life.” Every task should be an excellent task. In fact, one secret to business success is to do the small things really well. The Apostle Paul reminds his readers to do all things with “all your heart.” This includes the small things. You can’t do things with all your heart and do them badly.

Experience Question: What small task in your company can you turn into an excellent task?

3. The Christian Leader Strives for Excellent in CALLED tasks.

Finally, every person has been called to do good works according to their abilities and their experiences. Those areas of life in which we are called, are areas of mastery and excellence. To excel in these called areas are how we give glory back to the one who has given us those gifts in the first place. Every person should know their strengths and their abilities. They should know what they are excellent and then seek to improve their excellence.

Experience Question: Have you clearly identified the areas where you are the strongest and have you considered how to be even more excellent in those areas?

To do things with excellence is a difficult task. However, excellence stands out. Excellent products are talked about and used. Excellent service is appreciated and written about. Excellent work is seen and recognized. In short, excellence in hard to keep hidden. Therefore, the Christian business and business owner should strive for excellence in all that we do because we do as if we are doing it to serve Jesus Himself. And when we practice this attitude God Himself will reward our lives and our business for our excellence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ken Gosnell is the “go” leader. He serves leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations that enable to go further faster. He has worked with hundreds of CEOS and their leadership teams to enhance their strategic, operational and people accomplishments. He is an author, coach, and strategic partner with CEOs. He is married to Shonda, and they have four children. You can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kengosnell/

He has also created the CEO Experience Impact Assessment. This assessment helps leaders learn the areas of their leader that they must improve to go forward. Get your score by taking the assessment here.

Understand Stewardship – Biblical Principles to Build a Business

Business leaders often wonder where they can find the best business advice and counsel in order to build their business. Although good business counsel can be found in a plethora of books, there is only one book that contains all of the best business secrets that business leaders need to know to build a successful business and life. That sacred book is the Bible. I have studied the Bible for years and have often read the words for encouragement, consolation, improvement, and inspiration. I have also found that it contains the best principles in order to build a successful business.

Biblical Principles to Build a Successful Business

An important shift for Christian business owners is moving from ownership to stewardship. Jesus told a story in Matthew about a faithful servant. He ends the story in Matthew 25:23 with these words, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'” Well Done, those two words are two of the most powerful words in the English language. It should be the desire of every Christian business owner to hear these words at the end of their journey.

What Happens When A Leader Moves from Ownership to Stewardship:

1. The Steward Leader understands that God owns ALL of the Business.

Steward owners recognize that everything that they have comes from God. This fundamental shift releases the burdens of business. The steward owner no longer has to carry the weight of every decision, choice, and consequence. The steward owner is released to work with all of their might, but understands that the end result is left to the owner who owns all things. King David penned these words in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” When the leader recognizes that it all belongs to God, then the leader can hold all things in proper perspective.

Experience Question: Do you fundamentally believe that it is your business or do you see it as God’s business?

2. The Steward Leader understands that God will hold ALL to Account.

Owners answer to no one, but stewards give account to the owner. The steward owner is challenged to make better decisions because they understand that someday they will have to give an account for all that they did as they stewarded the business that they were given to lead. This knowledge keeps the steward owner sharp and with the right perspective.

Experience Question: If you had to give an account to God today for your decisions and actions in the business that you steward, would he be pleased with you?

3. The Steward Leader understands that God wants ALL of to be Engaged.

The steward leader believes that they have been placed in the business with a purpose to accomplish. They are not satisfied with just doing a task, but instead, they want to use all of their gifts and abilities to accomplish the task with excellence. The steward leader wants to please their master. They understand precisely what the master wants, and they use all of their resources to complete the task before the master returns. They want to be seen as an excellent servant who does all things well. The steward leader treats every person with respect, and they utilize every talent that they have been given to produce results for the master.

Experience Question: Are you fully engaged in the business ready for the Master’s return?

Jesus told a story in the Bible about good stewards. It is a parable that Christian business owners talk a lot about in business circles. It is called the parable of the talents. It is found in Matthew 25:14-30.

14 “For it will be a man going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents,[b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[c] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In  there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

In this story, the master who represents God gives good rewards to the faithful stewards of the business. When Christian CEOs and leaders listen to the words of this story a subtle shift takes place in how they lead and run their business. They move from pleasing themselves to pleasing the master. They move from making all the decisions about what is the right thing to do, to decisions about what is the right thing to do to please the owner of all things. Becoming a good steward is a good principle on which to build a great business.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ken Gosnell is the “go” leader. He serves leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations that enable to go further faster. He has worked with hundreds of CEOS and their leadership teams to enhance their strategic, operational and people accomplishments. He is an author, coach, and strategic partner with CEOs. He is married to Shonda, and they have four children. You can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kengosnell/

He has also created the CEO Experience Impact Assessment. This assessment helps leaders learn the areas of their leader that they must improve to go forward. Get your score by taking the assessment here.

Find Reliable People – Biblical Principles for Building a Business

Business leaders often wonder where they can find the best business advice and counsel in order to build their business. Although good business counsel can be found in a plethora of books, there is only one book that contains all of the best business secrets that business leaders need to know to build a successful business and life. That sacred book is the Bible. I have studied the Bible for years and have often read the words for encouragement, consolation, improvement, and inspiration. I have also found that it contains the best principles in order to build a successful business.

Biblical Principles to Build a Successful Business

A principle that has shaped many businesses and business leaders 2 Timothy 2:2. People can either make or break a business. Finding the right kind of people to add to an organization is essential to the success of the organization. Paul gives some amazing wisdom to his young mentee when he states in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” This key principle is helpful in identifying key talent and building the right kind of culture to grow a successful business. The word in this verse should be considered as a reference to mankind as every company needs both reliable and faithful men and women in order to be successful.

Building a Great Culture Through Finding Right Talent

1. To Build a Great Company Culture the Organization Must Find Trusted People

The first key to building a great company culture is to add to the culture, the right kind of people. The first characteristic that companies should review in their hiring process is finding people of character. Competencies can be taught, but the character is the essence of who the person is at their core. The core of many people never change. That is why is it essential to hire high character people. Every organization should develop hiring questions that seek to understand how trustworthy a person is and how they make decisions.

Experience Question: What questions have you developed to review the character of the people you are considering adding to your team?

2. To Build a Great Company Culture the Organization Must Find Reliable People

My first supervisor was famous for telling his team that the best ability is reliability. Duke Tobin, an NFL executive, likes to remind his players “The best ability is reliability. And if it’s not reliability, its availability.” What is true for successful football teams is also true for successful workplaces. Reliability is one of the most important keys to great teammates. in an article entitled “20 Top Qualities that Determine A Great Employee” highlight the trait of Reliability with these comments “Following instructions shows that the employee takes his responsibilities seriously and is capable of shouldering additional responsibility. Reliable also means showing up for work on time, informing the concerned authorities when he cannot make it, and keeping to deadlines. A dependable worker has a greater likelihood of remaining on the payroll.”

Experience Question: Who on your team would you rate as your most reliable people? What makes them stand out in this area?

3. To Build a Great Company Culture the Organization Must Find Qualified People

As our people get better, our companies get better. To get better as an organization, the company must find better people. Once the company finds good people, they must invest in developing and training those people. That process will help a company ensure that they will grow as an organization because they are developing the best people. Leaders and teams that focus on growth will help companies grow.

Leaders and teams that focus on growth will help companies grow. Ken Gosnell

Experience Question: In what ways have you helped your team become more qualified in past twelve months?

4. To Build a Great Company Culture the Organization Must Find Teachable People

Teachability is an essential characteristic of growing companies and growing leaders. Vernon Howard said, “Be teachable, That is the whole secret.” Legendary coach John Wooden said, “It is what you learn after you know it all that counts.” When a person has a teachable spirit, they have endless opportunities to improve themselves and improve their organization. Wise organizations focus on hiring and rewarding people who have a teachable spirit.

Experience Question: What key areas do you need to push your people to improve themselves in order for your organization to grow?

A key action of growing and developing company is finding the best people. Growing companies grow people. Smart businesses focus on finding and retaining the best talent. When companies miss on this crucial principle, everything suffers. Therefore this principle is a key biblical principle that needs to be practiced in every business, but especially every Christian business.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ken Gosnell is the “go” leader. He serves leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations that enable to go further faster. He has worked with hundreds of CEOS and their leadership teams to enhance their strategic, operational and people accomplishments. He is an author, coach, and strategic partner with CEOs. He is married to Shonda, and they have four children. You can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kengosnell/

He has also created the CEO Experience Impact Assessment. This assessment helps leaders learn the areas of their leader that they must improve to go forward. Get your score by taking the assessment here.

Trust God’s Path and Plan – Biblical Principles to Build a Business

Business leaders often wonder where they can find the best business advice and counsel in order to build their business. Although good business counsel can be found in a plethora of books, there is only one book that contains all of the best business secrets that business leaders need to know to build a successful business and life. That sacred book is the Bible. I have studied the Bible for years and have often read the words for encouragement, consolation, improvement, and inspiration. I have also found that it contains the best principles in order to build a successful business.

Biblical Principles to Build a Successful Business.

A principle that has shaped many businesses and business leaders is Proverbs 3:5,6. Leaders in businesses are called upon to make many decisions. A leader must set the direction and the path of a business to ensure it’s growth and development. In business the opportunities are endless. Leaders must know their core and where to find the inspiration for their vision and their decisions. For Christian leader’s this wisdom is found in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”

Trust is essential in business. Customers must trust the product. The leader must trust their people. Teams must trust each other and wise business owner will trust the Lord.

4 Areas Trust God Everyday in Business:

1. Business Owners Need To Trust God’s Plan

Every Christian business owner knows that God has a plan for their life and their business. Sometimes that plan can be challenging to understand. However, the Christian business should never doubt that God has a reason for every situation and issue that is faced in business. LaToya Harris writes about including God in your business plan. She writes “If you’re writing a business plan, you may have certain ideas about how to go about making your business a success, but remember the Lord knows best. He can steer us in the right direction, and help us avoid unnecessary mistakes and trials. By including Him, you can ensure that your vision for your business lines up with His vision and Word.”

Experience Question: When in business have you trusted in God’s plan even when it did not make sense?

2. Business Owners Need to Trust God’s Principles

God’s options are always good options. God’s principles are always prudent principles.Business leaders who lead businesses with integrity understand and apply all of God’s principles in all parts of the business. Author A.W. Tozer wrote, “It’s not my business to try and make God think like me…but to try, in prayer and penitence, to think like God.” God’s principles have been proven to work. In fact, every successful business in some way applies some biblical principles even if they don’t understand that the principles that they practice come from the Bible.

Experience Question: What are the most important principles that you practice in your business?

3. Business Owners Need to Trust God’s Provision

Christian business owners believe that God’s owns their business. They understand that everything that they have comes from the hand of God. Therefore there is a great release. These business owners no longer carry the burden of having to do all things in business, but rather they can just become stewards of the business. These leaders can trust that God knows everything that is needed for the business and every day they can turn and ask God to provide just what is needed for that day.

Experience Question: Do you trust that God can give you everything you need in order to succeed in the business?

4. Business Owners Need to Trust God’s Protection

There is much to worry about in running a business. Fear can be the most dominant factor that drives the business leader. Solomon reminds us in this proverb that the leader can trust God to direct and guide their steps in even the most difficult decisions and situations. Christian business leaders can rest assured that God does want to protect the business that is built to honor Him.

Experience Question: What does it mean to you that you can trust God’s protection in every trial and issue that you face in your business?

Trust can be difficult the business leader or owner. In business, it is hard to know who and what to trust. I am grateful that in the midst of a shifting season in life and in the world there are some consistencies in life. It is always wise to “trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding.” When a leader trusts the right principles and the right people then the possibilities become limitless in all that business can achieve and accomplish.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ken Gosnell is the “go” leader. He serves leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations that enable to go further faster. He has worked with hundreds of CEOS and their leadership teams to enhance their strategic, operational and people accomplishments. He is an author, coach, and strategic partner with CEOs. He is married to Shonda, and they have four children. You can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kengosnell/

He has also created the CEO Experience Impact Assessment. This assessment helps leaders learn the areas of their leader that they must improve to go forward. Get your score by taking the assessment here.

Practice the Golden Rule – Biblical Principles to Build a Business

Business leaders often wonder where they can find the best business advice and counsel in order to build their business. Although good business counsel can be found in a plethora of books, there is only one book that contains all of the best business secrets that business leaders need to know to build a successful business and life. That sacred book is the Bible. I have studied the Bible for years and have often read the words for encouragement, consolation, improvement, and inspiration. I have also found that it contains the best principles in order to build a successful business.

Biblical Principles to Build a Successful Business

A tremendous Biblical Principle on which to build a business is found in Matthew 7:42. In this verse, which has been coined the Golden Rule, states that we should “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

 

Many great businesses have been built on this one biblical principle. In fact, J.C. Penny used just this one principle to start and grow his business into a thriving corporation. He once was quoted as having said, “I cannot remember a time when the Golden Rule was not my motto and precept, the torch that guided my footsteps.” The concept is to consider others first. The wise business leader and business will always treat others as they themselves would like to be treated.

Building the Golden Rule Into Business:

1. The Golden Rule Should Be Promoted in the Company’s Core Values

The Golden Rule should be a foundational principle of every business. Benton Hayden highlighted the importance of the Golden Rule in his article entitled, “Why the Golden Rule Must Be Practiced in Business” wrote “In today’s ultra-competitive marketplace, where companies start and fail at a drastic rate, having a solid set of ethics could be just what your company needs to stand head and shoulders above the rest.” There is no better core value in business than to treat others as we would want to be treated. In fact, the Golden Rule was a reflection of the principles and core values of J.C. Penny.

Experience Question: Do you reflect the Golden Rule in your values as a company? 

2. The Golden Rule Should be Prominent in interactions with Customers.

Fred Reichheld in a wonderful Harvard Business Review article entitled, “Profiting From the Golden Rule” wrote “We all want to be treated with honor and respect in ways, large and small, that enrich our lives. Such experiences not only make us happy, we want to share them with people we care about. By recommending an experience, we’re signaling our trust that our friends will be treated similarly. Recommendations also signal to businesses how customers view their relationship with the company. When customers feel so well treated that they enthusiastically recommend a company to friends, they are promoters. When treated so badly they recommend avoiding the company, they are detractors. Both have direct and measurable economic consequences.”

Experience Question: Have you trained your customer service representatives to treat others like they would want to be treated?

3. The Golden Rule Should be Practiced regularly in dealing with Team members.

For the Golden Rule to be elevated in an organization, it must be used throughout the organization. Speaker and author Brian Tracy encourages companies to “Practice Golden Rule Management in everything you do. Manage others the way you would like to be managed.” The Golden Rule is a great way to treat customers, it is also an essential way to treat employees. This principle is proven even in dealing with an employee issue. The Golden Rule works at all times and in all situations.

Experience Question: Would your employees state that you practice the Golden Rule with them?

There are many Biblical values that make for good business principles. Maybe one of the most important principles is practicing the Golden Rule. John Beckett has used this principle to build his business. He states that the rule “is about more than just this month’s bottom line. It’s about treating everyone with integrity, whether customers or and making sure Jesus is always number one. Focus on these things, John says, and the bottom line will take care of itself.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ken Gosnell is the “go” leader. He serves leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations that enable to go further faster. He has worked with hundreds of CEOS and their leadership teams to enhance their strategic, operational and people accomplishments. He is an author, coach, and strategic partner with CEOs. He is married to Shonda, and they have four children. You can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kengosnell/

He has also created the CEO Experience Impact Assessment. This assessment helps leaders learn the areas of their leader that they must improve to go forward. Get your score by taking the assessment here.

Develop a Second Mile Mentality – Biblical Principles to Build a Business

Business leaders often wonder where they can find the best business advice and counsel in order to build their business. Although good business counsel can be found in a plethora of books, there is only one book that contains all of the best business secrets that business leaders need to know to build a successful business and life. That sacred book is the Bible. I have studied the Bible for years and have often read the words for encouragement, consolation, improvement, and inspiration.

Biblical Principles to Build a Successful Business

A principle that helpful in building a life and building a business is going the second mile. Good businesses develop a second-mile mentality. Jesus himself gives this principle in Matthew 5:41. The New Century Version records the statement as, “If someone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two miles.”

Jesus gives this principle to his followers as a way of separating themselves from the culture in which they were living for the purpose of helping others to see Him more clearly. In business, we also have the need to separate ourselves so that others can see our business more clearly. Every business would be wise to cultivate a second-mile mentality throughout their business.

Too many businesses are expecting second-mile results without giving second-mile service. Ken Gosnell

How To Develop a Second Mile Mentality:

1. Businesses That Practice Second Mile Service Find Unexpected Solutions

Second-mile service inspires people to find solutions for the customers that both please the customer and serves in the best interest of the business. Customer service is really customer creativity. Every company should free their people to solve the problems that their customers face. Chris DeRose and Noel Tichy in a Harvard Business Review article write of the importance of empowering all employees. They write, “Frontline workers not only see service breakdowns but also opportunities for serving customers in entirely new ways. Teaching frontline leaders the basics designing simple experiments enables organizations to test many more ideas than could ever be orchestrated centrally.” Great companies empower all employees to solve all the problems that all their customers might experience.

Experience Question: Have you ever been surprised by how your employees have solved a customer issue?

2. Businesses That Practice Second Mile Service Show Unexpected Sympathy

Great businesses listen to their customers. They genuinely care about their customers and want to solve their customer’s problems. Customers want to be listened to and understood. Sometimes all a customer really wants is to have someone listen to his or her problems and care about the situation. Companies that care about their customers will always have customers to care for.

Experience Question: Do you encourage your employees to fully listen to the customer and hear all about the issues that they are facing?

3. Businesses that Practice Second Mile Service Create Unexpected Stories.

Businesses that focus on customer service create great customer stories. Every business should pay attention to the stories that they create. Stories can be created any day and with any customer. Stories are created when customers are listened to and loved deeply. Pepco created an amazing story for the daughter of one of their customers. Watch the video below and think about the story that you can create in your business.

Experience Question: What great customer story have you ever created because of your love of customers?

4. Businesses that Practice Second Mile Service Provide Unexpected Service

Businesses that love their customers create new ways to improve their service to their customers. Author Tommy Newberry has written, “Constantly ask yourself how you can increase your service and contribution. Ask, “How can I triple my value to my boss, to my clients, to the marketplace, to my family?” Write it down. No one can do the minimum and reach the maximum.” When a company creates more value for their customers, their customers create more value for the company.

Experience Question: How could your company triple your value to your customers?

There are many Biblical values that make for good business principles. Maybe one of the most important principles is going the second mile. Roger Staubach once quipped that “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.” Indeed, businesses and business leaders that choose to go the second mile will find many rewards and benefits.

Motivational Moment 11.12.17

4 Battles Every Leader Must Win Every Day

Every leader fights battles. Sometimes they fight battles with their team and sometimes they fight battles with themselves. The battles that a leader fights with themselves is often the most important battles a leader will fight. If the leader loses those battles with themselves, they will often sabotage the power of their leadership. The leader can lose battles by second-guessing their own decisions or when they are not clear about where they are going. There are battles that the leader must fight every day. In fact, Margaret Thatcher said it this way. “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” This is true of battles in war and it is also true for the battles that the leader must fight with themselves.

1. Leaders need to fight and win the battle of Conviction.

Great leaders know what they will and will not do. Sometimes it is easy for our convictions to become unclear. The business world is always challenging the convictions of the leader. Leaders must have great clarity on the “no’s” of their life and leadership.

Legend has it that On October 31st, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, the town where he was based. This year the world celebrated 500 years since Martin Luther took this bold stand. Luther’s Protestant views were condemned as heretical by Pope Leo X in the bull Exsurge Domine in 1520. Consequently, Luther was summoned to either renounce or reaffirm them at the Diet of Worms on 17 April 1521. When he appeared before the assembly, Johann von Eck, by then assistant to the Archbishop of Trier, acted as spokesman for Emperor Charles the Fifth. He presented Luther with a table filled with copies of his writings. Eck asked Luther if he still believed what these works taught. He requested time to think about his answer. Granted an extension, Luther prayed, consulted with friends and mediators and presented himself before the Diet the next day.

When the counselor put the same question to Luther the next day, the reformer apologized for the harsh tone of many of his writings but said that he could not reject the majority of them or the teachings them. Luther respectfully but boldly stated, “Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”

Here I stand. I can do no other. Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a leader of convictions and he changed the world. Every leader is tempted to give up on their convictions, but great leaders never do.

Experience Question: As a leader, do you know what your “will not do” list is?  

2.  Leaders need to fight and win the Battle of Commitment.

After conviction comes commitment. Commitment is walking out in faithfulness the principles and values that you know are essential for the success of the company. Leadership guru Kenneth Blanchard teaches that “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”

When a leader is committed, it causes the followers to ask why. The “why question” is a great leadership test. If no one on your team asks you “why” you are so committed to something, then you are not showing a high enough level of commitment.

Experience Question: When was the last time someone on your team asked you why you were so committed to a decision, task, or project?  

3. Leaders need to fight and win the battle of Consistency.

Leaders must come to term with the statement day after day. Leadership is not a decision for one day, it is a decision for every day.   John Maxwell states, “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

Consistent leaders know that there are certain habits and behaviors that they need to do every day in order to stay fresh and push towards success.

5 Habits Leaders Need to do Every Day:

1. Read Something Inspirational. (I encourage the Bible).
2. Take Time To Reflect and Review.
3. Listen to the Voice of Wise People.
4. Work on Something that will make a difference a year from now.
5. Laugh and find Joy.

Leadership is a daily decision. It means deliberating deciding to every day to be intentional about the day.  Leaders have a purpose for the day and they move with specific actions to bring about their ultimate plan and destiny.  Many leaders doubt the power of one day but if they practice consistency they will be amazed at what they achieve.

Experience Question: What daily habits and behaviors have you implemented that has made you a better leader?

4. Leaders need to fight and win the Battle of Contentment.

Many leaders struggle with contentment. They are always searching for more. It is good to stretch and grow, but it is essential to learn the art of contentment. Tony Gaskins said, “To be content doesn’t mean you don’t desire more, it means you’re thankful for what you have and patient for what’s to come.” Everyday leaders battle how to be settled and satisfied with where they are in life.

Experience Question: Would you describe yourself as a leader who has mastered the art of contentment?

Note: These principles are taken from Esther 3 and the example of the leader Mordecai.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ken Gosnell serves leaders by helping them to have great experiences that both transform them and their organizations. He has worked with hundreds of CEOS and their leadership teams to enhance their strategic, operational and people accomplishments. He is an author, coach, and strategic partner with CEOs. He is married to Shonda, and they have four children. You can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kengosnell/

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