Integrity Moments

In a recent Journal of Social and Personal Relationships report, University of Kansas Professor, Jeffrey Hall, discovered that it takes roughly 50 hours of time together to move from mere acquaintance to casual friend, 90 hours to go from casual friend to “friend” status and more than 200 hours before you can consider someone your ... The post Making Close Friends appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A recent 60 Minutes program featured an Air Force Colonel called Bravo who was shot down in Iran. Bravo was ejected from his fighter jet only to discover that his parachute was shredded.  Professionals believe that Bravo hit the earth traveling 70 to 100 mph. His injuries included a broken back, arm, and other significant ... The post God is Good appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Although Len had earned his retirement, the organization was distressed when he departed because of the wisdom and experience that he took with him when he went. Through years of service in various roles in the company, through highs and lows, good times and bad, Len had acquired a perspective and wisdom that would be ... The post Acquired Wisdom appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Anson Frerick, former president of Anheuser-Busch Sales & Distribution, was interviewed on The Daily Wire. He provided interesting insight into the business model shift corporate America made several years ago.   In the 1980s, most corporations followed the Shareholder model, believing that the only purpose of business is profit. However, in 2019, 181 CEO members of ... The post A Different Business Model appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

There are five important issues to be addressed in Developing a Ministry Plan for Your Business. My final one is ministering to your community.  Many businesses give employees paid time off to volunteer for local nonprofits. Others, like my friend, Rusty, take his work team on mission trips.   There are many ways to impact ... The post Developing a Ministry Plan: Part V appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In my book, Unconventional Business, I wrote about Developing a Ministry Plan for Your Business. There are five important issues to be addressed in your plan, the fourth is ministering to customers, suppliers, and competitors.  Many people are good at ministering to their employees, and some are good at focusing on customers. But few spend ... The post Developing a Ministry Plan: Part IV appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In my book, Unconventional Business, I wrote about Developing a Ministry Plan for Your Business. There are five important issues to be addressed in your plan, including ministering to your employees and their families.  Each of your teammates faces deaths, health issues, and family conflicts. One of our members decided celebrating employee victories was also ... The post Developing a Ministry Plan: Part III appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In my book, Unconventional Business, I wrote about Developing a Ministry Plan for Your Business. There are five important issues to be addressed in your plan, the second one is discipleship.  Our Forum Groups, launched within a company, is one tool we have seen businesses use to train and disciple their people on understanding how ... The post Developing a Ministry Plan: Part II appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In my book, Unconventional Business, I have a chapter on Developing a Ministry Plan for Your Business. There are five important issues to be addressed in your plan, the first issue being evangelism.   Jesus called each of us to be ambassadors for Him, but how we do evangelism may differ.   I know a publicly traded ... The post Developing a Ministry Plan: Part I appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

I applied for a wonderful new job, but the barriers to getting hired felt daunting. First, the company needed to secure several state regulatory approvals to create the new operation for which I would be working. The company needed to approve the position in the new organization. Finally, I needed to be the successful candidate ... The post What God Knows appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In his book “Second Wind for the Second Half,” Patrick Morley describes a high school teacher who proclaims, “I am an ordained math teacher.”  We should seek to seamlessly integrate our faith and our work, doing our work as a form of our worship. There are many ways to do that. We can choose jobs ... The post Ordained Worker appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Once, I found myself working for the person who received the promotion I was recommended to receive. My jealousy turned into disdain for my new boss and damaged our working relationship.  King Saul had similar feelings about David when Saul allowed seeds of jealousy to take root. After Saul returned from a victorious battle, the ... The post The Seeds of Jealousy appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

While meeting with an entrepreneur named Mark, I asked him about his greatest challenges. Mark shared, “When I started this business eight years ago, I never would've imagined that marijuana usage would be one of my biggest problems. It's pervasive, and a constant safety and productivity challenge.”  A recent New York Post article claims that ... The post A Growing Workplace Problem appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Organizational psychologist, Goh Hong Yi, wrote a profound online article for Salt and Light on barrenness that relates to business.  Abraham was told that God was going to make him into a great nation. However, his wife, Sarah, was unable to conceive for decades.   The author wrote, “The lineage of Abraham reminds us that ... The post The Fruit of Barrenness appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Linda was crushed when she lost her job. In the midst of worrying about how to survive the economic hit until she found a new role, she struggled to respond to how the traumatic change impacted her self-esteem.  But she found comfort in the words from the writer of Hebrews.  “Let us then approach God's ... The post Drawing Near appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In President Ronald Reagan's autobiography, he shares a story about his college football days. Before a big game, President Reagan's football coach asked the team if they prayed.  Out of fear that he would be ridiculed by his peers, Reagan did not admit that he was someone who prayed, even though he did regularly.  Reagan ... The post President Reagan's Prayer Life appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The Industrial Revolution's technology, rather than eliminating jobs, created jobs for railroads and related industries that dramatically increased labor demands. This led to abuse and overwork, not leisure, as some expected.  In 1894, the Labor Day holiday became a response to that abuse and overwork. The laborers demanded a day to rest and celebrate their ... The post The Roots of Labor Day appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Vanessa Van Edwards, a Harvard behavioral researcher, shared at the most recent Global Leadership Summit many great workplace insights.   One insight, backed by research, was that if you sit people near high performers, those people's performance will increase 15% on average. But if you sit them next to low performers, their performance will decrease ... The post People Placement Matters appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, shared at this year's Global Leadership Summit that only 53% of Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments happened by the age of 60. Collins' point is that age is not a good indicator of future achievements.   Prior to Social Security's beginning, most people concluded they would work as long as they ... The post Rethinking Retirement appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Harvard Professor, Arthur Brooks, points to four pillars of happiness that include faith, family, friendship, and work that serves others.  Regarding faith, Professor Brooks says, “A religious, spiritual, or even philosophical outlook allows us to transcend the self and see the bigger picture, admitting our smallness in the grand scheme of things and reminding ... The post Finding Happiness appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to Harvard Professor, Arthur Brooks, there's an annual survey that asks men and women if they feel their life is meaningless. Prior to 2008, the percentage of people typically affirming that belief was just 15%.  In 2008, however, the numbers increased significantly each year. For women, a meaningless life response reached 30%, and ... The post Is Life Meaningless? appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Brian McClain, a Kentucky rancher, ran a Ponzi scheme that cost investors and bankers $170 million. The fraud could have been caught many years earlier.  Lending on livestock, done properly, requires periodic livestock inspections. Rabo AgriFinance was McClain's primary lender, but Rabo loaned McClain millions without any cattle inspections for four years.  In addition, Rabo's own files noted that McClain was frequently overdrawn ... The post Be Faithful appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

My wife, Kathy, was paired with another woman to lead a vacation bible school. While Kathy loves having fun, it's often unscripted.  The first time Kathy spoke with her new teammate, Kathy told me, “She is very structured and scripted. We may drive each other crazy.”  Personally, I think God chose the perfect pair. Some children learned from Kathy's fun, free form style, but other kids needed the scripted structured approach.   1 Corinthians 12:18-19 teaches, “In ... The post The Perfect Pair appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Many entrepreneurs focus on one business and struggle to excel, while others, like Elon Musk, can create multiple businesses in vastly different industries. Some business leaders have a higher level of creativity and innovation than most.   But for many of those innovators, they would have trouble admitting that without God they would have nothing.  Colossians 1:16 says, “For in (the Son of God) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether ... The post Innovators Beware appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When I owned a fledgling consulting practice, I met with a ministry leader named Ken. To my surprise, Ken changed the conversation by asking me when I was going to hire a salesperson.   When I explained my concerns about affording a new hire, Ken reminded me that being a good steward often requires us to take a step of faith.  After Ken's prompting, I prayed and courageously ... The post Courageous Stewardship appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In a Christianpost.com article, Michael A. Youssef, pastor of Church of the Apostles, emphasized that a Lifeway study reveals that 53% of Protestant church goers admit that many who know them do not know that they are Christians. Pastor Youssef highlights that “a silent Christian is not a neutral Christian; a silent Christian is a weakened witness. Because truth that is never spoken will eventually become truth that is never seen.” If ... The post A Silent Faith appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

As a banker, I was once asked to make a loan to a businessman who owned nothing except one stock worth $2 million, but he owed $1 million against that stock.  I was surprised by his lack of diversification. I declined his loan request.   Later, that stock plummeted and he was forced to sell with a deep loss.  Jesus began a parable by stating that a master entrusted his wealth ... The post Wise Diversification appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The stories of the Biblical prophet Elisha in the Old Testament book of 2 Kings offer relevant wisdom for our work today.  Seeking a cure for his leprosy, the army commander Naaman offered gold, silver, and clothing to compensate Elisha for healing him. Yet Elisha refuses to accept any payment.   Seeing an opportunity for himself, Elisha's servant Gehazi follows after Naaman and makes up a story to get some of the wealth for himself. Upon ... The post Leadership Lessons of Elisha: Whole Truth appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The book of 2 Kings offers Biblical wisdom for our work today. The king of Syria seeks to capture the prophet Elisha. One morning, Elisha's servant sees that an army has surrounded the city. The servant fearfully asks Elisha what they are to do.   “‘Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'” (2 Kings 6:16)  Elisha prayed that the servant's eyes would be ... The post Leadership Lessons of Elisha: God's Army appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The Old Testament book of 2 Kings tells of the Biblical prophet Elisha, whose leadership lessons have relevant wisdom for today's workplace.  Suffering from leprosy, the army commander Naaman asks Elisha for healing. Although Naaman is expecting some dramatic invocation of God's presence, Elisha's prescription is simpler: Naaman is to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River.   Naaman is incensed with such a simple solution. His servants try to reason with ... The post Leadership Lessons of Elisha: Simple Solutions appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Florence Chadwick's 1952 effort to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast is a favorite motivational story.  The day was so foggy she could barely see the boats that accompanied her. Exhausted after swimming for more than 15 hours, unable to see her destination, she gave up.   She learned later that she was less than half a mile from the coast.   She told reporters, “All I could ... The post Work By Faith appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

If you're part of Unconventional Business Network, it's possible you've received a prayer card signed by our staff. My wife, Kathy, has led this effort for years.   Someone recently asked Kathy why prayer is so important to her.   When Kathy had breast cancer three decades ago, dozens of people showed up at our house during a blizzard to pray. The next morning, the hospital filled with people praying for her surgery.   Kathy realized, through prayer, that God ... The post Why We Pray appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Employers could wind up in court if they outright dismiss workers who request a faith-based exemption from using AI. In a businessinsider.com article, Ashley Herd, a former McKinsey counsel and head of North American HR, emphasized this newer risk for businesses.  According to the article, one Unitarian Universalist has already received a religious exemption from her employer because of her ... The post Religious Exemptions for AI? appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Ray had a busy day scheduled at work. But soon after he arrived, he encountered an employee who entered the building after being physically assaulted.   As you might imagine, the employee was very shaken and upset. Ray needed to decide where to spend his time. He could have decided that this was a personal problem that should be dealt with personally.   Instead, Ray cleared his schedule. He spent the ... The post Prioritizing the Urgent appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Keith was doing a great job of growing sales in a retail chain of stores and was highly trusted by the CEO. When the company lost their controller, the CEO appointed Keith as the new controller.    When I entered as a consultant, Keith had two offices full of unopened bills and accounting records. Unfortunately, the IRS forced them into bankruptcy shortly thereafter.  Stewardship is often equated to financial ... The post Stewarding Your Team appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 16% of the workforce have a substance use disorder. Furthermore, according to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, this is costing over $93 billion in lost productivity a year.  Proverbs 23 addresses all kinds of snares like alcohol, gluttony, and adultery. Proverbs 23:29 says, “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who ... The post The Cost of Bondage appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In his book “Second Wind for the Second Half,” Patrick Morley describes questioning the team he hired to paint basketball markings on the driveway around his garage basketball hoop. When the team seemed to take a long time to get started, Morley asked if there was a problem. The team foreman said they were checking and rechecking measurements before they started work.   “We've learned from experience that unless you ... The post Starting Point appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

For too much of my career, I was worried about where I ranked in the organization. How was my career advancing in comparison with others? Who was moving ahead faster? Who had the boss's favor?  It's a human tendency, but it takes our eyes off the one on whom we should be focused.  Peter falls prey to that tendency in the final verses of the Book of John. Jesus has ... The post Shepherd Focus appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

As Kathy and I toured Richard Nixon's Presidential Library, we learned a more complete picture on this complicated man and time in history. Many believe Watergate wasn't President Nixon's biggest problem; it was the cover up.   Some doubt President Nixon even knew about Watergate before it happened. But his lies and deception made the cover up far more harmful than the Watergate break-in itself, destroying his presidency.  King David knew about sin and cover ... The post The Cover Up appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

While visiting Ronald Reagan's Presidential Library in Simi Valley, one of the interesting discoveries Kathy and I came across was his note cards. Sometime after President Reagan had passed, a folder of 4 by 6 note cards was found among the President's possessions.  President Reagan maintained a folder filled with quotes, stories, and jokes. He then categorized these handwritten notes into categories such ... The post Presidential Buried Treasure appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Kathy and I took our son to see the movie, Toy Story 5, recently. When the camera focused on an individual character, the focus was clear.   But when the camera scanned out to a bigger picture everything was blurry. We assumed they would eventually fix the projector, but they never did.   Afterwards, we learned we'd been in a 3D movie but were never offered 3D glasses.  ... The post A Blurry Movie appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When Jeremy lost his job, he was so angry that he spent more time complaining about his situation than trying to resolve it. His bitterness came through in his job search and interviews. The Biblical story of Joseph offers a different response to setbacks. When he was falsely accused and sent to prison, Joseph chose ... The post Serve Anyway appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In his book, “Smarter, Faster, Better,” author Charles Duhigg describes an automotive factory launched as a joint venture of two Japanese and American auto manufacturers. The new factory incorporated new operating processes, training long-time auto workers to take responsibility for stopping the production line when they saw a defect on a vehicle. In one anecdote, ... The post Servant Leader appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In Matthew 15, a Canaanite woman persistently called out for Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Surprisingly, Jesus ignored her. When the disciples urged Jesus to send her away, Jesus responded by sharing His personal purpose. In Matthew 15:24, Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus said to this ... The post Exceptions to Being Mission Focused appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

While studying Matthew 9 recently, I pondered Jesus' concern for the souls of the vast crowds that were following Him. He told His disciples to pray for workers because the harvest was plentiful, but the workers were few. Then my Bible had a new chapter, making it appear that the story was finished. I wanted ... The post Scaling Your Business appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Several years into my early career, I felt limited as an entry level individual contributor. But I was adamant that I wasn't ready to supervise people. I felt that I needed more training, more experience, and more time. I didn't ask God for his guidance; I just decided I wasn't ready. The first time Jesus ... The post Over Prepared appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

During the 17 years in my first corporate job, I advanced from an entry-level coordinator to the company's top communications professional. During those formative years, I based my identity on my job. So, it was unsettling when I moved to a new, less visible role at a new employer. But the change was a valuable ... The post New Thing appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Lifeway, a Christian publishing organization, performs a research study called Living Unashamed. In their recent study, they asked Protestant churchgoers whether they agreed with the statement, “Many people who know me are not aware I am a Christian.”  In 2013, 14% of polled churchgoers strongly agreed that others wouldn't know them as Christians. Unfortunately, that number has now dramatically increased to 30%.   Protestant Churchgoers have more than doubled in hiding ... The post Living Unashamed appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When I was a kid, my uncle bought a go-cart that had what was called a governor on it. The governor purposely limited how fast the go-cart could go.  That is, until my uncle overrode the governor. Suddenly this go-cart flew across the parking lot.   Many of us in the workplace have placed mental governors on ourselves, limiting our God given abilities. These limits may ... The post Eliminate the Governor appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Larry, a college acquaintance, partied hard at college and was kicked out of business school. Amazingly, the Dean gave Larry another chance, provided that he had a 3.5 grade point average at midterms.   Larry amazingly started his final exams with a 3.8 grade point average, exceeding his 3.5 goal.   The night before Larry's last final, Larry packed his belongings and shouted to his fraternity brothers, “I can't take the stress anymore” and he left for home.   I ... The post Fear of Success appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The break-neck pace of work today tells us that we can't stand still or we will fall behind. The accelerating pace of new technology creates an exhausting sense that we need to urgently get to the next big thing. But when we focus too much on what's next, we miss being present in the moment. ... The post Don't Miss Today appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.