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Archive for the ‘Trust’ Category

5 Ways to Thank Administrative Professionals

Posted in Excellence, Integrity, Servant Leadership, Serve, Trust, tagged , , , , , , , on April 24, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Regardless of the focus of your work,  many of us interact in some way with an Administrative Professional. As Wednesday is Administrative Professionals’ Day, it is a perfect day for us to give back! To say thank you to someone with a real servant heart.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world.

If you are an Administrative Assistant…THANK YOU! I have found in my years in the marketplace that a talented “Admin” has an enormous impact on an organization. As a general rule, Administrative Assistants are smart, organized, have a servant heart, have good communication skills, know how to say no, can manage multiple projects simultaneously, and most of all they are trustworthy and of strong integrity.

WorkMatters would like to honor one Administrative Professional today by donating one ticket to our May 4 WorkMatters Leadercast here in northwest Arkansas! Be the first to send us an email and we will be honored to make that happen.

If you work with an Administrative Assistant, here are a few tips to say thank you:

  1. Simply walk up to their desk and tell them how grateful you are for the important work they do.
  2. Nothing says thank you like a DaySpring or Hallmark card or e-card!
  3. Give them an inspirational book with a personal note written on the inside cover.
  4. Take them to a thank you lunch with their boss/es.
  5. Providing training opportunities (like the Leadercast) through continuing education, self-study materials, or seminars.

Administrative Professionals…your work matters!

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.    Ephesians 6:7


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The Source of Influence

Posted in Faith and Work, God, Influence, Trust, Wisdom on December 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Influence is the pillar we are focused on this month.  Spencer Frazier, SVP for Sales at J.B. Hunt brought a powerful message to our Eight to Five gathering last Friday.  He continues his teaching in our blog for the month of December.

Workmatters first pillar of faith at work is Relationship…abiding with God at work.  Everything starts there doesn’t it?

Last week we discussed the pillar Influence.  One of the keys to how we influence others is to choose to let God influence us first.  We need to lean into our Relationship with Him.  But how do we do that at work, specifically if we are faced with a challenging situation and we are just not sure what to do?

Listening to Andy Stanley the other day gave me some insight.  He said following the crowd may be easy, but their noise may filter the reality or voice of God.  Instead, he said to seek God’s influence or to hear God speaking to us, we should listen to our most trusted advisors.  Each of us have a small group of people we are plugged into for advice.  If they are aligned with God, we can Trust we will be influenced by the right voices and their light can help guide us to make the right decision.

The Message version of Proverbs 16:13 says… Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth.

Their influence matters.

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Do you have Markers in your Life?

Posted in Calling, Faith and Work, Goals, God, Purpose, Trust, tagged , , , , , on October 13, 2011 | 2 Comments »

Eight years ago today, I became the first employee of a start-up marketplace ministry called WorkMatters. It was a leap of faith that only God can orchestrate. The challenge, camaraderie and income of my VP, Sales and Marketing job at J.B. Hunt Transport was now fully in my rear view mirror. The excitement and fear of this incredible new journey was now front and center.

It has been an indescribable eight years at WorkMatters. Everything about it has been new. Everything about it has stretched me. Everything about it has tested and pushed my faith.

It is such a joy to reread some of my journal notes early this morning from September and October of 2003. To reflect, just for a moment, on this day eight years ago.

What about you? What are the markers in your life? Do you write them down? Put them on your calendar as recurring every year? This is more than birthday’s and anniversary’s. These are life changing moments.

If the answer is yes, take the time to meditate on those days when they arrive. Some are incredibly exciting, some are heartbreaking. All are a major part of your life, who you are, how God is moving you closer to Him.

If the answer is no, maybe now is the time to get started. Think back about your life markers. Put them on your calendar. Maybe it’s time to buy a journal. Keep it with you. Jot down the moments worth remembering. Use it to see what God is doing in your life.

Last…thank you, thank you, thank you for being a part (large or small) of this WorkMatters marker in my life. It has been an extraordinary blessing to be used by God in the marketplace!

For Him@Work,

David

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Are You Courageous at Home and Work?

Posted in Culture, Faith, Family, Friendship, Influence, Integrity, Jesus, Job Search, Marriage, Money, Parenting, Prayer, Trust, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of one of the most important days of my life. On October 5, 1991, Theresa and I said “I do and I will”!

In honor of that day 20 years ago, we spent the entire day together just having fun. We reflected on the past 20 years. We looked at old pictures, we told stories, we laughed, we questioned why on a few things that have happened in our lives. We shared two fabulous meals. We visited the site of the soon to open world renowned Crystal Bridges Museum.

And then we went to the movies. But this was not just any movie. This was a movie about life. About the very fabric of why we are here. About our marriages, our children, our work, and our faith. About being COURAGEOUS in living with great purpose in each of those arenas of life.

You may be familiar with the organization that also brought us the movies Fireproof and Facing the Giants. These are powerful examples of using media to impact our culture in positive ways.

For men and women, but especially Dad’s, take the time this weekend to see this movie. I find it impossible to believe that your life at home and at work will not be profoundly impacted.

Proverbs 22:6

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Leadership Lessons

Posted in Balance, Excellence, Family, Integrity, Leadership, Servant Leadership, Trust, Vision on February 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Mike Duke, CEO Wal-Mart Stores, is a leader many of us know and respect here in northwest Arkansas. It’s hard to fathom the challenge of leading the largest company in the world. He is humble, faithful and requires business excellence from himself and his associates.

Read these excerpts from a recent interview Mike Duke did with The Associated Press in New York:

Q. How do you balance the nitty-gritty of the business with looking at the big picture?

A. If I spend all of my day in the details as a CEO of a company like Wal-Mart, I think it would be trouble, because I wouldn’t really be prepared to speak to the big issues that the country or the world should face. But at the same time, if you spend all of the time at 50,000 feet, (you) really are not out talking to customers and know real people. … I think it’s often the interaction directly with customers in the details of their family and their issues is what inspires me to want to help solve the big issues.

Q. What ideals from Sam Walton do you embrace?

A. (Leadership is) about showing respect to every individual, about humility over arrogance, about listening and getting feedback from a broad array of constituents. It’s about a passion for customers and knowing customers firsthand, not theoretical, not through some data only, but by having personal, passionate communication with customers. And leadership is about striving for excellence. It’s about setting aggressive goals and not being afraid to go after very aggressive goals and targets. I think it’s even better for a leader to set an aggressive goal and come up a little short than it would be to set a soft goal and to exceed it.

Q. What should a leader value most?

A. Integrity and trust. If a leader doesn’t have the trust of associates, of customers, of shareholders, then all the other things, the ability to speak eloquently and to sing and dance and entertain, (don’t) mean a thing if a leader’s not trusted.

Q. Does work ever stop for you?

A. I do spend really focused time with my wife, my kids, grandkids, and so when I’m doing something or on a golf course, work has stopped. I’m not always thinking and working. … I think a leader has to really be a balanced, whole and healthy person personally in order to be the best leader on the job.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

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60 Days…Big Decisions?

Posted in Adversity, Encouragement, Job Search, Prayer, Relationships, Trust on December 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

A buddy stopped by today and had some interesting news about a couple of people we both knew.  It seems major decisions in one friends life had occurred that resulted in a downstream change of direction for the other person.  As a result, one friend seemed to now be taking on a much greater risk at this point in his life.  I was humbled by the degree of commitment, faith and belief shown by the friend taking such a huge risk to serve the other.  I don’t know all the specifics, but I am absolutely certain these career changing decisions were thoroughly covered in prayer.

I have thought about this on and off all day wondering I have would have that kind of faith to obediently go where God was leading with only the trust of his promise that he would provide as well as never leave or forsake me.  Sometimes we are asked to leave our comfort and security behind and walk into unfamiliar territory not  knowing why, but feeling certain of God’s calling.   More often these days, we find ourselves in this situation not by our own choosing.

Are you or someone you know facing some major directional decisions right now?  Maybe you are dealing with a job situation leading you to contemplate a major career change.  Many of our Joseph Project members are faced with big decisions about taking jobs that would require them to make major lifestyle changes.  Whatever the specific situation, it is becoming more and more the norm these days to be faced with major job and/or career upheaval requiring us to demonstrate a great deal of faith and trusting in the Lord’s promises and sovereignty.

If you are facing these kinds of decisions, please don’t carry that burden alone.  Reach out to someone who cares about you, seek their counsel and ask them pray with you about these weighty matters.  If you have a friend who might be facing these kinds of decisions, proactively reach out to them, invite them to lunch and tell them you lifting them up in prayer to our Father.  In this way, we share the load and bear each other’s burdens as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Blessings!

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60 Days….A Battlefield Prayer

Posted in Adversity, Prayer, Trust on November 13, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

In response to my post a few days ago regarding the use of pre-written prayers, a friend sent me a note saying that the following prayer  sits on his desk and he prays it daily.  He told me he would not mind if I shared it with all of you as well.

“Lord, I need you.  I believe you are here right now in battle, right beside me.  Please help me to overcome this.  Thank you that I don’t have to overcome this alone, with my limited resources.  Please guide me as I seek to use my skills to the best of my ability in this situation.  You are my God and I trust you.  I cannot do this on my own power.  I need you to bless and enable my efforts.  Thank you for the help of your Holy Spirit and for hearing my prayers.”

Have a spectacular weekend!

Sam

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Demon of Discontent

Posted in Adversity, Economy, Faith, Trust on March 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

Lord, you have assigned my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  Psalms 16: 5-6

I was talking with a group of folks the other day about the present state of our economy and all that goes with it.  For the most part people were pretty negative about our collective state of affairs.  I’m sure you have been in those kinds of conversations.  It can really bring you down and at times that is not what I need to hear.  So it is always refreshing to run into another friend of mine who when asked, “How’s it going?” he always replies, “Things couldn’t be better.  I am blessed in so many wonderful ways.  And the point is, he REALLY means it.

It is such an encouragement to bump into someone every now and then who is content with his or her lot in life.  As we keep plowing ahead in this economy, many are being challenged to think deeply about what  brings real contentment. Many as well work continuously to acquire more and more, thinking that the secret to a happy, contented life is having more toys.  Then when adversity strikes and they suffer loss, the level of discontentment soars.

The problem is that the covetous can never be content. Their desire is insatiable.  Some people are satisfied with little while others are dissatisfied with much.  And no wave of the wand of wealth will bring contentment.

Many have learned like Paul to be content whatever the circumstances.   He knew sorrow and joy; distress and comfort.  Yet he learned to be independent of all external circumstances.    Centuries before, David had made the same wonderful discovery.  He said, ” The Lord….makes my lot secure.”  And with this knowledge, he was happy and content in life.

As we find ourselves tossed about from all kinds of external circumstances, make it a part of your daily devotion to rehearse all the things that you are thankful for and this will usually silence the demon of discontent.

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The Key to Satisfactory Living

Posted in Faith, Trust on December 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in Him will I trust.  Psalms 91:2

I love the words refuge and fortress.  They communicate strength, protection, security.  We seem to fight a relentless search from the catastrophies of life.

Across all of history people have sought refuge in various ways.  Some have searched for it in education.  Others have sought refuge in science.  Still others have sought refuge in money.

There is no refuge in such things.  These flimsy fortresses are easily penetrated by disease…accident…war…depression.  And,  if not by these, then by time. Time carves its lines upon the face, dims the eyes and makes the hands tremble.

Only in God can refuge be found. And only in God is there any real fortress.

I love the words of this old hymn.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,  Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.  What more can he say than to you He has said, You  who unto Jesus for refuge have fled.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed; I, I am they God, and will still give the aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand.

As you look into another new year, make sure that  ”In Him will I Trust.”

Lord, we need you so much.  The years go by and we often truly trust in so many other things.  Thank you for being our fortress and our ever present  help in time of trouble.  As we end this year and look into yet another new year, please help us to count on this blessing and to finally learn how to really live in peace through placing all our trust in you alone.  Amen

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