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Archive for the ‘Vision’ Category

A New Mission

Posted in Faith and Work, Faith at work, Leadership, Purpose, Vision, Work, tagged , , , on November 30, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

For nine years, WorkMatters’ mission – to bridge the gap between faith and work – was perfect.

But not anymore! Churches are beginning to get it. Books have been written. Marketplace ministries are emerging. Universities are beginning to teach it. Simply bridging the gap is no longer good enough.

So this year, as we approach our 10th anniversary in 2013, we have changed our mission to closing the gap between faith and work. I know, it’s only one word, but it’s an enormous change in our focus.

Now we must push into the next generation. We must push beyond just sitting in rows at events where we learn – to sitting in circles in groups where we grow. We must continue to encourage each other. And increasingly, we must equip each other to actually live biblical leadership principles in our work and then export those principles to others in the process.

Closing the Gap graphic

So our mission to “close the gap between faith and work” is both timely and intentional.  In the coming weeks, you will be introduced to some cool new opportunities from WorkMatters. Opportunities that can take your work and your faith to a place of increasing purpose and significance.

Our passion is to help you live a Matthew 22:37-39* life at work in 2013. Are you ready?

David Roth

President, WorkMatters

* Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’…”

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10 Lessons Learned from Jeff Long

Posted in Adversity, Honesty, Influence, Integrity, Leadership, Relationships, Vision, Wisdom, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 12, 2012 | 6 Comments »

The last seven days have yielded one of the most powerful displays of leadership that I have ever witnessed. Even if you are not a sports fan, you have likely heard the recent saga of University of Arkansas Football Coach Bobby Petrino. While  there are undoubtedly critical lessons we need to learn from Coach Petrino’s story, the REAL leadership story is found in University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long.

This is a story of a leader who found himself in what most people described as a “no-win” situation. Jeff Long had an employee on his team who was an incredible performer. He had achieved almost superstar status from his “customers”. Revenue was at an all-time high largely due to this employee.  The national buzz was off the charts and the future looked even brighter than the past. This is a story that  we often see in the marketplace, isn’t it? As the leader, what do you do?  The only thing riding on the decision is the psyche of a state, a potential national championship and the near-term future of the University of Arkansas.

A good case could be made for forgiveness with discipline. Let’s keep the train on the tracks. Let’s do what most other leaders do. Let’s do what the “world” tells us to do. That is NOT what Jeff Long chose to do.

I have included the full press conference here. If you haven’t seen it, please take time to watch it. You will be amazed. If you have seen it, I encourage you to watch it again. But this time, watch it with your leadership eyes. Go to school on what you see here from a courageous leader.

Here’s a sampling of the leadership lessons I learned:

  1. Integrity - Doing the right thing, is never the wrong thing.
  2. Wisdom and Courage - have the wisdom to know what to do, and the courage to do it.
  3. Compassion - his heart is deeply connected to the mission. He hurt for everyone who lost in this situation (especially the players).
  4. Details - a great leader is willing to understand and execute.
  5. Decisiveness - his assuredness created a persuasive confidence in the masses.
  6. Vision - communicating the future state with confidence creates emotion and commitment.
  7. Choices - as leaders we face them everyday. Are we willing to do the right thing no matter what the outcome?
  8. Excuses – it was never about Jeff Long. You can only imagine the turmoil he went through. 
  9. Passion - do we really care about the mission and purpose of our work? 
  10. Influence - last…our work is a platform for influence. Jeff Long made the hard choice. The by-product is an impact in thousands of peoples lives that you can have honor and integrity.
Thanks Jeff…for giving us hope. For allowing your life at work to be a bright light for the rest of us.

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A New Vision for Work/Life Balance

Posted in Balance, Culture, Seven Pillars of Faith and Work, Vision, tagged , , , , , on March 15, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

We are an activity-based culture in the United States today. We are busy. Some of us complain about our busyness…some of us wear it as a badge of honor. Regardless, we need help. We need solutions. Try this on…I think it will give you a new vision (literally) for living your life with purpose, not busyness.

Do you know how this woman keeps her balance? She maintains her balance by looking not at her feet, but at the other end of the line!

When I first started driving, I would exhaust myself trying to stay in my lane. I was constantly adjusting the car in relation to the center line. But then my Dad told me to not look at the center line, but far down the road and trust myself to make the adjustments needed. I can still remember the revelation that was to my daughter when she was learning to drive.

It’s the same for us in keeping balance in our lives:  when we have our eyes on the end — where we want to arrive — then we begin to automatically make small adjustments all day long to keep on track.  Sure, the occasional squirrel will dart into the road and we’ll have to make some sudden course adjustments, but we know where we want to return.

Balance can be a tricky business, but when we’re sure of our center of gravity, and our end goal, then adjustments start to become automatic.

WorkMatters is the original brainchild of Tom Frase. He is a 20 year veteran of the advertising industry, and an ordained Methodist Pastor. He’s been there done that…he gets it.

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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….Pray for ENGAGE!

Posted in Faith and Work, Prayer, Vision, tagged on November 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

At WorkMatters, we often talk about not following our own agenda, but instead through prayer and the counsel of wise people, who share our passion for faith and work, to be in step with where God is leading.  It was five months ago that God clearly directed us to make a hard left turn and head in a new direction.  He used two spirit led brothers in Christ to introduce the idea of launching a ministry specifically targeting young professionals.  We realized this generation, often referred to as “Millennials”, was not being served, especially in relation to living out their faith in the marketplace.  We discovered that although they respected our ministry, they did not feel it offered much that really connected with their generation.  We saw in them a tremendous desire to impact the marketplace, but no place to gather and  discuss how they should live out their faith at work. It was clear that God was moving  and wanted to use WorkMatters as His vessel to create this new ministry.   As we talked to more people, a Leadership team made up of about ten faith filled twenty somethings emerged and have been meeting very early on Tuesday mornings for several months praying and planning about what a marketplace ministry for their generation would look like.

Tonight this Leadership team and others in their network will have the first formal meeting of this ministry they are calling ENGAGE!  This meeting is about vision casting, creating an opportunity for input and building the Tribe.    If you have a few minutes, please watch this video on our website which captures the essence of this new ministry. It will blow your mind!

Today, please pray for ENGAGE!

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Easy Doesn’t Do It!

Posted in Excellence, Faith and Work, Goals, Leadership, Vision on April 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

WorkMatters is blessed to share office space with a great company, NorthStar Partnering Group. Each Monday morning, the NorthStar team starts their week with a worship/business meeting.

This morning, Henry Ho, NorthStar co-founder, shared a powerful poem that he had heard at a recent WorkMatters Eight-to-Five event from Ms. Susan Barrett, Retired President/CEO of Mercy Health Systems NWA . Read this when you have time to really process it. There are some powerful challenges here. Print it and stick in your Bible to reflect on from time to time.

I would love to hear your feedback. Thanks Henry and Susan for being marketplace believers and leaders… 

Easy Doesn’t Do It!

(Derric Johnson) 

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed

The dye has been cast; I have stepped over the line.  The decision has been made. 

I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

 

My past is redeemed; My present makes sense; My future is secure.

I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees,

colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

 

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, plaudits, or popularity.

I no longer have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk in patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

 

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.

 

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.

 

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice; hesitate in the presence of adversity; negotiate at the table of the enemy; ponder at the pool of popularity; or meander in the maze of  mediocrity.

 

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and spoken up for the cause of Christ.

 

I must go until He comes, give until I drop, witness until all I know, and work until he stops me.

 

And when he comes for His own; He will have no problem recognizing me…  because my banner will be clear, my scars will be evident, my hope will be realized, and my joy will be full.

 

It will be worth it all. I am a committed believer, a dedicated disciple, and a satisfied servant of  the Lord Jesus Christ!

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Our Purpose

Posted in Purpose, Vision on December 17, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Recently, two people whom I greatly respect, asked “what is the purpose of WorkMatters?” On the surface, it’s a strange question from someone who knows WorkMatters well. It is however, a timely question. I have been thinking a great deal about 2010 and the great vision God has for WorkMatters.

Our vision is memorable and portable. For six years we have been focused on “bridging the gap between faith and work“. Our passion is for solving the enormous problem of the Sunday Christian in our culture today. I know, I was the poster child for twenty years. Our churches and our workplaces are filled with men and women who have some (or a lot) faith, but for a million different reasons, don’t live it Monday through Friday.

Our purpose, is to stand in this enormous gap in northwest Arkansas and the world. And our ultimate purpose is to help you grow deeper and stronger in your relationship with Christ through the lens of the workplace.

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”   2Timothy 4:3-5  (New Living Translation)

Father, what an awesome charge this is for our lives and for this WorkMatters ministry. Help each of us bridge this difficult gap between our faith and our work. Help each of us carry out the ministry you have given us!  Amen

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