Integrity Moments

When I was about to take on my first significant leadership role, a friend in Human Resources offered to help me in the transition. She implemented a process to gather insight about the department I was about to lead; the team's fears, frustrations and proudest achievements. She used her strengths to position me for success.  ... The post Partner for Progress appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Artificial Intelligence is fraught with ethical dilemmas, especially for those with a Biblical worldview. Without Christian voices speaking into those ethical concerns, we're likely to regret the direction Silicon Valley drives us toward.  According to Christianity Today, Bryden Eastman, an applied mathematician, had significant ethical concerns about his part of launching ChatGPT. He wasn't sure ... The post AI Challenges appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In a Harvard Business Review article titled, “How the Busiest People Find Joy,” the authors discovered that a factor in maximizing our joy is to diversify your activities. Finding areas of passion is important, but research also reveals that there is a risk in having one singular focus.  Investing our time in only one passion ... The post Finding Joy: Part V appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In a Harvard Business Review article titled, “How the Busiest People Find Joy,” the authors discovered that a factor in maximizing our joy is to follow our passions. The author's research discovered that when we pursue activities that align with what we find personally rewarding, our life satisfaction can soar four times greater than when ... The post Finding Joy: Part IV appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In a Harvard Business Review article titled, “How the Busiest People Find Joy,” the authors discovered that it's important to avoid passive pursuits to experience higher levels of joy.  After a long day at work, many people watch tv, explore social media, or spend time gaming. These activities are passive pursuits.   The authors discovered that, ... The post Finding Joy: Part III appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to Harvard Business Review, research reveals that to live a satisfying life, achievement, meaningfulness, and joy are needed. They discovered, however, that the most elusive of those three was joy.  In this series, let's address a few research-based insights to better understand and experience more joy.  The first insight to note is this: How ... The post Finding Joy: Part I appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, joy is the most elusive attribute required to experience a satisfying life. A key finding in the article titled, “How the Busiest People Find Joy,” is that people get more joy from doing activities with others than from doing them alone.  This should not be a surprise ... The post Finding Joy: Part II appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In its annual State of the Global Workplace, Gallup reported the global percentage of engaged employees fell from 23% to 21% in 2024, nearing the recent low levels of engagement experienced during the pandemic.  Digging deeper, the data revealed that manager engagement drove the decline, falling three points from the prior year. Engagement of managers ... The post Manager Engagement appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Dan couldn't believe how much could go wrong in a day. From oversleeping, to missing a meeting invite, to the boss's demand to redo the quarterly report, it felt like everything that could do wrong did.   We all have days like that. How do you respond?   In Psalm 109:22, David cried: “For I am poor ... The post Low Point appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The prophet Samuel told King Saul that because the Amalekites had treated Israel poorly when they exited Egypt, that God wanted Samuel to destroy all the Amalekites and their animals.  But 1 Samuel 15:9 says, “Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and choice animals...”  Saul thought that ... The post Partial Obedience appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A study conducted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education discovered that 58% of young adults claim their mental health is being negatively impacted due to a lack of meaning or purpose in life.   Personally, I remember feelings I had in my 20s when I achieved my only goal of becoming a CPA. In that ... The post The Purpose of Youth appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Rick Altizer, CEO of Earnnest, wrote about Servant Leadership on thegospelcoaltion.org. One of his points was this: To go up, the way may be down.  Rick wrote of a time when he was in a McDonald's executive training program. Even though he was a CPA and MBA, Rick spent two years working inside a McDonald's ... The post Serving At the Lowest Levels appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Teammates avoided Brad. He was known throughout the company as a “striver,” reaching for promotions and fixated on impressing executives. He criticized others' work and was angry when anyone else advanced. The team diagnosed that Brad acted out of a sense of fear.  2 Kings tells the story of Elisha and his servant surrounded by ... The post Acting From Fear appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In the autobiography titled, “Scalia,” one of Supreme Court Justice Scalia's professors at Georgetown finished Scalia's final oral examination with one question: “Which historical event had the most impact on the world?” Although Scalia didn't remember his final answer, he never forgot his professor's response.   With disappointment his professor stated, “Mr. Scalia, Jesus' Incarnation was ... The post The Most Impactful Moment appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

We have learned in our ministry to forewarn new employees to expect some spiritual warfare at times. Our spiritual enemy doesn't like Christians engaging the culture with God's Word, especially in business where he has had a strong foothold.  Spiritual warfare seems to often cause disruptions in our employees' lives, as well as our own. ... The post Discerning Spiritual Warfare appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Sports columnist, Terry Pluto, visited an out-of-town church where a young pastor preached on discovering your vocation. Terry shared on Cleveland.com that this pastor highlighted the callings of professionals in the workplace but overlooked the blue-collar professions.   They, too, have a calling from God.   Like the plumber that visited our home when multiple appliances had ... The post A Blue Collar Calling appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A Kansas City Business Journal article recently highlighted some statistics related to a trend of Gen Z job applicants ghosting their employers. According to a survey by Resume.com, ghosting seems to take shape in three major forms.   First, 27% of Gen Z applicants accept a job offer but never complete the process. 26% complete the ... The post Gen Z Ghosting appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Research shows that hearing just one story of how our work benefits someone else can increase motivation by 400%. The author of a Harvard Business Review article showed a team of plumbing contractors a picture of his son enjoying a doughnut at his favorite doughnut shop.  One of the plumbers proclaimed, “Hey, we worked on ... The post Connecting Our Work to Purpose appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Jesus spoke frequently about abiding in Him. Constantly praying, listening, and obeying is how we best abide and experience a fruitful life.  When I speak in public, I have often experienced the fruitfulness of abiding. That's because I'm often seeking God fervently and following His lead.   As I speak, I have often felt the Holy ... The post Abiding in Christ appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to Mental Health America, over 42 million people struggled with anxiety disorders in 2024. If you consider your team, it's likely that twenty percent are struggling with anxiety.  Since 2020, we've experienced a global pandemic, race riots, and troubling financial shifts. It's no wonder that many are overwhelmed.   Recent studies claim that the biggest ... The post The Prince of Peace appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Years ago, Bob shared a significant business dilemma with me and another advisor of his. In my opinion, Bob's other advisor made a questionable recommendation.   The Holy Spirit began whispering to me, “This violates God's plan and will lead to breaking the law.” Instead, I believe God gave me an alternative idea.   Bob appeared visibly ... The post Our Secret Weapon appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When I take time for vacation to relax and unwind, it seems easier for God to revitalize me and to share fresh insights.   About ten years ago, while laying on a beach, God gave me an assignment He desired for me to complete. God desired me to write a fiction book on the life of ... The post Vacation Rest appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

My friend, Bill, was traveling through Texas when he reviewed a list of people in that area who had previously gifted money to the ministry Bill represented. He noticed that someone nearby had made a $100 donation.   Many development people might just send a tax receipt for a donation of that size, but not Bill. ... The post Faithful With the Little appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, I introduced a couple of young entrepreneurs to Matt, the former owner of a national construction-related business. Instead of discussing national expansion as originally intended, Matt wisely pointed these young entrepreneurs towards what they could do today.   With just a couple of simple questions about their daily activities, Matt gave them an idea that ... The post Scaling a Business Begins Today appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The team was excited when Lisa arrived as the new department leader. Everyone was glad to see the former leader leave the company after several personality conflicts and department setbacks. They praised Lisa, hoping she would restore normalcy to the group.   But Lisa had enough experience to know that simply looking better than her predecessor ... The post Testing by Praise appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The team was excited when Lisa arrived as the new department leader. Everyone was glad to see the former leader leave the company after several personality conflicts and department setbacks. They praised Lisa, hoping she would restore normalcy to the group.   But Lisa had enough experience to know that simply looking better than her predecessor ... The post Testing by Praise appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

As a teenager, when I worked on my uncle's farm, I marveled at the number of stars I could see at night in contrast to living in the city. The majesty of God's universe seemed more evident than what many of us are accustomed to when we live and work in urban settings.  With a ... The post Psalm 19 Insights: Part V appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

One of God's warnings in scripture, that many business leaders ignore, is Paul's directive to not become unequally yoked in business. I have counseled many businesspeople over the years against partnering with someone not in alignment with their faith and values.  Unfortunately, some have ignored my counsel, often due to their desire to secure funding ... The post Psalm 19 Insights: Part IV appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When I was sixteen, I was driving my grandpa's new Chevrolet Impala. Before he fell asleep my grandpa said, “Make sure you're driving the speed limit when you near 291 highway. They usually have speed traps there.”  Unfortunately, I didn't listen. At 291 highway I was stopped by a state trooper. Even to this day, ... The post Psalm 19 Insights: Part III appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

For the last twenty years I've been writing these daily messages. Many times, I share real life business stories and how the Bible can be used to resolve significant issues.  Over the years, it's been rewarding to hear feedback from many business leaders. My messages seem to come at critical times for many.   Others have ... The post Psalm 19 Insights: Part II appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to the American Bible Society's State of the Bible 2025 report, Bible users have declined from 50% during the pandemic to 41%. Worse yet, the level of basic knowledge that even many evangelical Christians have about the Bible is very concerning.  Yet, the Bible is such a valuable source of wisdom for business leaders. ... The post Psalm 19 Insights: Part I appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Everywhere you look, people are searching for something greater than themselves.   A recent study by Lifeway Research showed that 57 percent of Americans said they ask themselves at least monthly how to find more meaning and purpose in their lives. That response is up from 51 percent a decade ago. More than 20 percent of ... The post Seeking Purpose appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Desiring to serve God in his work, Darren often held back to be sure he wasn't jumping ahead of God by taking actions God didn't want taken. When Darren proudly described his restraint to his spiritual mentor, the mentor reminded Darren of the many times God used people to accomplish tasks, from Moses seeking his ... The post People Skills appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The project team had spent nearly a year on the project to refine the company processes. To celebrate, the executive overseeing the project rented out a local restaurant and invited everyone who had played a role to be part of the celebration.   But some were offended that individuals with only minor roles were being invited ... The post Every Piece Matters appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

During a transition season, I struggled to sort out opportunities and decide how to spend my time. I wasn't sure how to determine God's will and direction.  One of the best suggestions I readily adopted was holding a regular “Business Meeting with God.” The idea felt familiar. I had extensive experience providing updates to ... The post Business Meeting with God appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In 1776, our Founding Fathers grounded their argument for independence from Great Britain in the declaration: “That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” They may have declared their independence from Britain, but at the same time, they were noting their interdependence upon their Creator.   Many ... The post Inter-Dependence Day appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In a Harvard Business Review article titled “The Power of Mattering at Work,” the authors introduced a profound way to help your teammates realize that their work matters. They labeled the concept laddering.  This concept originated when NASA was trying to put a man on the moon. One of NASA's leaders, Owen Maynard, wrote on ... The post Laddering appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A Harvard Business Review article on the Power of Mattering at Work told a story about Jane, a custodian. Jane longed to be more than just a janitor, until her supervisor shared a different perspective.  This supervisor showed Jane the definition of custodian that said, “A person responsible for looking after something.” This wise ... The post Mattering at Work appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In a Harvard Business Review article titled “The Power of Mattering at Work,” the authors make a distinction between belonging and mattering. The authors contend that we may desire to belong to a group, but we have a more fundamental need to matter.  They define belonging as feeling welcomed and accepted in a group, while ... The post Belonging vs Mattering appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In the book of Ruth, Boaz is a generous man who abides by God's mandates. For instance, Boaz did not reap his fields all the way to the edge so that the poor could gather the leftovers.  Boaz demonstrated an abundance mentality that unfortunately far too few business leaders embrace. A scarcity mindset, however, says ... The post Abundance or Scarcity appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When I worked for large banks, it was obvious that I was a steward of the bank's resources, not an owner. There were budgets, bosses, and built-in accountability to remind me that the bank's money was not mine.   As a banker I witnessed many business owners use company resources for personal gain, while employees and ... The post Business Stewardship appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When we catch ourselves putting too much focus on our finances, scripture recommends generosity as a way to restore balance. The apostle Paul told the Corinthians to be a conduit for giving to others as a form of service and gratitude.  “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, ... The post Financial Worship Antidote appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

If you remember the parable of the talents, the last servant made excuses for his poor performance. Although this servant blamed his mistake on fear, it could have just as easily been due to laziness.  In the workplace, you can often identify the lazy workers by their multiple excuses. Some of them can get comical.  ... The post Excuses for Laziness appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Kathy and I hired a contractor whom we respected to do some work for us. Unfortunately, when problems occurred with his team's performance, we began having trouble with the contractor responding to our concerns.  We needed to have some tough conversations, but we were delayed week after week. It seemed our contractor had “stuck his ... The post Is Your Head in the Sand? appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Years ago, during a challenging economic cycle, my friend Jeff and I discussed the impact of the economy on ministries. Jeff shared that he and his wife had decided to significantly increase their giving, due to the economy and many struggling ministries.   A generous spirit is rare and refreshing.  Paul highlighted the generous spirit of ... The post A True Generous Spirit appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

For many small businesses, cash flow anxiety can cause them to be very reluctant to make financial commitments. At times, they may even be tempted to break their promises.   The Apostle Paul was concerned that the Corinthian church was about to break their promise. In 2 Corinthians 8, the Corinthians had made a pledge to ... The post Honor Your Pledge appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian physician who implemented hand washing procedures for doctors at Vienna General Hospital. This new practice decreased the incidence of maternal death from 18% to 2%.   Sadly, the medical community was offended to be told that a gentlemen's hands could possibly carry disease. Doctors unanimously continued their deathly procedures.   Unfortunately, ... The post The Semmelweis Reflex appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, I met with two friends separately who owned significant businesses, both forced into bankruptcy. In addition, both friends have multiple pending lawsuits.   Bankruptcy can leave a person feeling persecuted, lonely, and full of shame. It can be easy to wonder where God may be.   Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego bravely refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar's idol ... The post A Fiery Trial appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Following the driven career example set by his father, Eric saw his job at the property development company as the means to build the wealth he had been taught would define his personal success. So, he was devastated when the company shut its doors, forcing him to start over. But he took advantage of the ... The post Misplaced Trust appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

I was excited when I reached the savings milestone that I had pursued for years. Accumulating those funds felt like fulfillment of Psalm 128:2: “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”  But the month I reached that milestone, a significant market drop caused a big loss in my portfolio. ... The post Fleeting Wealth appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Acts 19 describes the apostle Paul's disruption to the city of Ephesus. Paul's testimony about Jesus turned many away from the local cults, threatening the income of the silversmiths who were creating statues for idol worship. These craftsmen could not hear Paul's message because they were too fixated on how it impacted their work.  Jesus ... The post Financial Conflict appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.