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Posts Tagged ‘Influence’

Amazing Grace@Work

Posted in Adversity, Culture, Faith and Work, Grace, Relationships, tagged , , on February 10, 2013 | 2 Comments »

This past weekend, my wife and I Redboxed Flight, the Denzel Washington movie that earned him a best-actor Oscar nomination. It is a powerful movie full of painful, real life stuff worthy of it’s R rating.

I won’t expose any more of the plot here. Suffice to say that you have a man who is very well respected in his ability to do his job. In fact, he is hailed as a hero at work! But he is living with extraordinary difficult circumstances in his personal life. And guess what? His personal circumstances spill over into his work life. Of course they do! We don’t live compartmentalized lives.

As I sat in church, I couldn’t quit thinking about this movie we had watched the night before. The pain of his addiction. How many people come to work with secrets. With personal issues that are impacting their lives and work in monumental ways. How should we handle these issues? How do we help a co-worker who is suffering with an addiction or an illness? And at what point do their circumstances intersect accountability?

I don’t know the answers. But I know this. There are people all around us suffering at work. Maybe, just maybe, we can help.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me….
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.”

Maybe we can share some amazing grace at work.

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5 Ideas for Giving Thanks

Posted in Appreciation, Faith and Work, Gratitude, Prayer, tagged , , , , , , , on November 19, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

This is my favorite week of the year. Maybe it’s just me, but I see and feel Jesus more in Thanksgiving than I do in the busyness and commercialization of Christmas. How about you?

Regardless of your answer, know this. This week can change your life. This week can change others lives. This week is tailor-made to make a difference.

So, here are a few suggestions for giving thanks:

  1. Send a hand written note to your boss thanking him/her in a genuine and appropriate manner.
  2. Do the same for your President/CEO or location leader. No matter what you think, they need encouragement.
  3. Texts are easy and simple. Pick five people you work with (coworkers, customers, suppliers, partners) and tell them how grateful you are.
  4. Prayer is powerful. Pick five people you work with and thank God for them.
  5. Read 365 Thank You’s before 2013 to be inspired to put into action saying thank you to the myriad of people in your work and personal life who bless you. 

Finally, I want to say thank you to each of you! Thank you for your desire to grow in your faith at work. To be the same person at work that you are in your personal life. To allow your work to be a testimony to others.  And, to many of you, thank you for your heart, time and resources that you have given to WorkMatters in 2012. You have no idea what your encouragement and support mean to us personally and corporately.

May you feel God’s blessings in your life and work this week. Philippians 1:3

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Follow Through Changes the Game

Posted in Excellence, Faith, Faith and Work, Influence, Integrity, Relationships, Work, tagged , , , , , , , , on November 6, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

How often do you let emails or phone messages pile up before you communicate back? Have you ever had a business meeting with a customer, but never followed up with them? Or committed to do something but never followed through with it?

What if Tiger didn’t follow through with his shot? How about you at work?

These are issues we all face at one time or another.  So, what’s the big deal?  Read what our guest blogger, Michael Dodd, former University of Arkansas ASG president, WorkMatters Kairos alumni, and now a Walmart associate in the Merchandise Leadership Program, has to say on this subject…

The Sundown Rule was Sam Walton’s twist on that old adage “why put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” It is still an important part of the Walmart culture and is one reason Walmart is so well known for its customer service. The observation from the Sundown Rule means that Walmart strives to answer requests by sundown on the day they receive them, following through in a big way.

I have learned a few lessons in the workplace as a young associate, but none has stuck with me more so than the importance of following up and delivering what you say you’re going to do. Through many failures and successes, I’ve seen the power that following up has in defining my competence, trust, and in some cases, integrity. I’ve also seen how it can mean a lot to spiritual growth opportunities, as well.

But at what point do you put emails before quality time with others? At what point does it take too long to answer emails, and you just stop answering? Think about this…

  • While email communication is losing value, God desires us to be excellent in our work and in our communication and replying to requests or just shooting a quick “nice to meet you” is something that sets the tone for a relationship.
  • The ability to follow up can add more value to a career or relationship than nearly anything else, by simply being intentional to follow up and doing it in a timely manner.
  • Following up on prayer requests is something that God has been pointing me to do more and more – and revealing his ability to answer prayer can be a great testimony to his power!
  • Following up to set a relationship in motion that could be kingdom-oriented is exactly how you make work a calling.

“For he says, ‘in a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

The more we follow up, the more we are able to influence lives for the Lord. And when we’re too busy to follow up with everyone, we should seek the Lord’s counsel on how best to spend our time.

Mike Duke recently spoke to a UA class that I visited, and passed on this last piece of advice to those of us that were there: “Be trusted first; deliver what you say; when you make a promise, keep it.” As we look toward our Heavenly boss, let us strive to follow up: “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” John 17:4

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Try Sitting in a Circle

Posted in Bible, Encouragement, Faith, Faith and Work, Leadership, Relationships, Small Groups, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 13, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

There are so many things that you can do to grow as a leader. To grow in your faith. Most of them are good. But what are the things that will have the most impact? A real, lasting impact?

I was reminded of an answer to that question this week as 62 leaders committed 60 minutes to sit in a circle. Well, actually they were sitting in a rectangle around large conference room tables. 62 men and women, in five different marketplace groups, from companies across northwest Arkansas invested 60 minutes to begin a journey. For 13 weeks, they will learn biblical leadership lessons from one of the great leaders of the Bible…Nehemiah!

I received an email from one of our WorkMatters Group leaders that met at 6:00a.m. yesterday! The anticipation these women expressed was powerful.

How encouraging to see all ten chairs around the table in the Harvest board room filled with women yearning to:

  • plug into a Bible study for the first time since college
  • meet other women in business
  • learn practical ways to have my faith be part of my life at work and not be separated from the rest of my activities
  • put God first even though I’m not a morning person and it won’t be easy as a single mom

Have you considered sitting in a circle with a small group of leaders that can create a lasting impact in your life and you in theirs?

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  1Thessalonians 5:11

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The Mighty Power of Influence

Posted in Influence, Leadership, tagged , on August 21, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

I received this email today from a young man who serves on the leadership team of our young professionals marketplace ministry, ENGAGE. It is a powerful example of how a simple gesture can have timeless influence. Maybe we should all stop after reading this post and pay this idea forward! Are you up for it?

We just found out that our CEO passed away early this morning.  He had been fighting cancer for almost five years. 

He did some amazing things for our company in the almost ten years that he was our CEO.  Not only did he grow our business, but he invested in many different company-wide programs in an effort to help employees grow both personally and professionally.  He even took the time, three years ago, to write a short congratulatory letter to a young engineer for a miniscule accomplishment that he had noticed in the newspaper.  A letter that still hangs on that young engineer’s fridge to this day. 

The power of influence is mighty.

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Changing Your Work/Life Balance

Posted in Balance, Faith and Work, Family, Work, tagged , , , , , , , on August 9, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Ready for change? Ready for some help, for some inspiration in this ongoing, frustrating battle that leaders have with work/life balance?

Before posting this blog, I sent this same content as an email to a large number of workplace leaders that I know and love. After writing it, I knew that you should have it as well.

I’ve struggled with work/life balance issues most of my life. Since moving back to Arkansas 12 years ago, I’ve been blessed to manage my “problem” better – although leading a grueling, fast-paced non-profit with minimal resources has tested me. Without asking, I know that each of you have had seasons of fighting to balance your work and your life.

 This updated story of Urban Meyer’s work/life balance is powerful, exposing the real ongoing battle that leaders face. Wanting to do your work with excellence and win! But also wanting to love your spouse and your children.

Read this story in your quiet time early in the morning when you have time to absorb and reflect. Ask yourself some hard questions. Am I really being honest with myself? How many hours am I really working everyday? When I am home, am I really home? Am I scheduling specific events with my spouse (like date night) and kids every week? Ask your spouse and kids how you’re doing. Be willing to listen to what they have to say. Then listen to what God tells you to do.

And act.

There is a book mentioned in the article Lead… For God’s Sake. It is a powerful, provocative sports fiction book about the real purpose of your work and life. Urban Meyer ended up writing the forward after reading it.

God has given you incredible influence at home and at work. I hope you will use these resources to help you live your life at work with greater purpose and meaning.

We are passionate about helping you live out your life and your work in God-pleasing ways. I hope this is one of them.

David

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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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Leading the Next Generation

Posted in Influence, Seven Pillars of Faith and Work, tagged , , , on November 2, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

A quick off-ramp from our Integrity focus for a word on Influence from our close friend, Steve Toth.

As an up-and-coming young professional, I just wanted to fit in.  Specifically, I wanted to fit in with the president of the company, and the rest of the over-achieving workaholics he ran with.  Work was my #1 idol, and making money, the bling-bling fruit of my labor! Work hard-play hard was my motto; but frankly the “play hard” part got lost somewhere…  I was consumed by the cash and status surrounding my definition of success at work and in life.

Much like me in my early career, the young professionals in our workplaces just want to “fit in”, as well. Maybe they have a role model parent to emulate, or maybe a leader at work they choose to identify with.  They might choose the path of the workaholic, placing work on top of their list of idols. Who will help guide them?  It has to be us (the 35+ crowd)!

So, what’s our role? What are we doing to encourage the next generation of leaders to pick a healthy, contributing, and sustainable path? More specifically, what steps can we follow to lead the next gen to a better life and career?

  1. Choose to invest. Making this simple choice will help you recognize opportunities to influence as they cross your path. This is very easy; just decide!
  2. Move your feet – invite a next gen to lunch and get to know them. You won’t get permission to speak into their lives if you don’t know them and they don’t know you.
  3. Be transparent; those watching you will find your honesty attractive and enduring. You may even find a new level of humility in the process…

We have a job to do, and it’s a job beyond our daily deliverables. Jesus wrote “To whom much has been given, much is expected.” (Luke 12:48)  One of our life’s most important roles is to help lead the next generation to find their greatest contributions …

In the soup with you,  Steve

Resource: Becoming a Coaching Leader  – Daniel Harkavy

This is a guest post by Steve Toth. He is a husband, father of two wonderful children, and the business unit leader at Novar. He was the marketplace teacher at our recent Eight to Five event focused on INTEGRITY, one of the Seven Pillars of Faith at Work. His teaching is available to you now in Video, Podcast, and Executive Summary formats.

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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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