LEADERSHIP Series: Putting Your Faith to Work @ Work

Whether you are in a small business or large corporation, here are some principles that might help with your Business Ethics:

1. Don’t worship self – it's not all about you - work on your internal attitude.

2. Value others – by respecting their rights and with tangible, external expressions like expressing appreciation for work well done.

3. Lead with a moral compass – ask yourself “Are my actions in sync with God's moral principles?” Do you even know them?

4. Apply Proverbs 2: 1-5 – accept the words of Wisdom, store them up, turn ear to hear, apply heart, call for insight; cry aloud for understanding Helps with #1 See also

5. Realize that innovations, insights and impact in the market have their source in God – by doing this, an attitude adjustment will follow which will be reflected in your treatment of other people

6. Show a concern for truth by not only the questions you ask peers, subordinates and bosses, but also by how your behave. Keep your promises. Make restitution for harm done - even if it is accidental.

7. When leading a team or a company, practice humility, modesty and shared decision-making

8. Practice personal discipline to guard your heart by being daily in the Word

9. Build influence by being authentic – For example: when you don’t know, don’t fake it: say you don’t know, but that you will find out.

10. Practice with diligence the art of observing, learning from results (good or bad – no matter), teaching what is learned and mentoring someone to take your place. Remember, everybody always produces a result - look at the result and make changes to produce a different result.

11. Practice being open to others by actively listening to them and not “telling” them

12. Daily prepare your heart so you are not seduced by subtle ethical distinctions

13. Develop your personal purpose statement and lead (and we all lead no matter our title) from it.

14. "As a person thinks so is he" – therefore, practice “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable – if excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

15. Be present in all your business conversations – connect with the person speaking - respect their right to speak.

16. Develop inner contentment - if you are not, how do you expect others around you to be content?

17. Remember – you are a steward of this company, this team, this project – you and I own nothing. We have a duty - some would say and "holy duty" to be responsible stewards of natural resources. Is what you are doing sustainable?

18. Make all business decisions with integrity remembering that wealth is not a goal but a consequence.

19. Idle words are dangerous – practice clear, concise, encouraging, edifying conversation. Cussing, swearing, getting mad accomplishes nothing positive.

20. Understand what drives you (how God wired you) and then understand how God has wired others and communicate with them in the style that best meets their needs – not yours.


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell This material may be quoted with proper recognition of source.