Integrity Moments

Throughout my career, I believed that education was important for my advancement. I pursued advanced degrees to do my job and to better demonstrate to executives my commitment to my work. I pursued my faith in the same way, continually reading and studying to build my faith knowledge. But simply trying to get smarter has ... The post Beyond Learning appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

I was thrilled to get my first job out of college, but it wasn't long before I wanted more. I wanted to be a leader. I thought being a manager would be the best way to assert my ideas and my will. I also desired the benefits I saw from moving up in the organization ... The post Being Sheep appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

As a young banker, I had lunch with a friend whom I hadn't seen since college. He was an aggressive new entrepreneur building a prosperous business. As we finished lunch he asked for my lunch receipt. When I asked why, he said, “I gather receipts to write off my taxes.” He laughed and said, “They ... The post The Tax Time Test appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

One of the benefits, Vermeer, an equipment manufacturer, discovered from integrating their faith into their culture came when they opened operations in a country hostile to Christians. Although Vermeer was limited in proclaiming their faith corporately, they marveled at how effective their employees were in modeling company values and their faith to their foreign employees. ... The post Modeling Values Abroad appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Doug Hundt, President of Vermeer's Industrial division, recently shared with me how Vermeer began with core values to remind their team of Vermeer's foundation of faith. But as the company grew, they needed to make their beliefs practical corporately, so they developed a Character and Behaviors document with related training. Their actions resulted in their ... The post Spreading Faith Corporately appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Nehemiah had an amazing 52 days. He had cast vision for people who didn't know him, yet he convinced them to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. This impossible task was made even more difficult due to his enemies constantly attempting to distract and destroy him. Additionally, there was considerable infighting. But the work continued with ... The post The Power of Co-Working with God appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Your enemies have no need to bother you when you're failing, but when you're experiencing success, look out. Nehemiah experienced some significant success on his project of rebuilding Jerusalem. As he neared completion, his enemies tried everything they could think of to distract or destroy Nehemiah. On multiple occasions, Nehemiah's enemies tried to draw him ... The post Overcoming the Enemy's Distractions appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In Nehemiah 4, the Israelites rallied together to fight off their enemies while rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. But by Chapter 5, the strain of the work, plus the impact of famine, caused the people to begin complaining about the oppression they experienced by their own leaders. Due to oppressive debt, these leaders had put their own ... The post Confronting Internal Conflict appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Nehemiah had a vision of rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem. When it came time to start the actual work, Nehemiah decided to allow teams to work on specific sections of the wall. He could have had everyone work together on the entire wall. Nehemiah 3, however, reveals the brilliant part of Nehemiah's strategy. Nehemiah understood ... The post Leveraging Self-Interest appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A fourth-century church manual, the Apostolic Constitutions, called Good Friday a "day of mourning, not a day of festive Joy." Historically, many have called Good Friday to be a day of sorrow and fasting. In our busy work activities, we rarely take time for reflection or sorrow for our brokenness and the brokenness of the ... The post Good Friday Mourning appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Today is Maundy Thursday. On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus, the Son of God, modeled for us a surprising act. In ancient times, Maundy, which means, “washing someone's dirty feet,” was one of the worst jobs a servant could be asked to complete. Yet, on Jesus' last night, He humbled himself and washed ... The post Maundy Thursday Surprise appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, a new comedy club opened in our neighborhood. An advertisement led me to believe that the show may be family-friendly, so Kathy and I decided to give it a try. We were sorely disappointed. A small crowd had to experience vulgar and very offensive dialogue that left us disgusted. In contrast, my daughter gave ... The post A Contrast in Comedy appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Our work generates value in many ways, but we need to guard how we let it define us. In a recent Substack post, pastor and author Scott Sauls cautioned against measuring our value by our work. We become anxious, he wrote, when “we believe our worth depends on what we produce, how visible we are, ... The post Our Value appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Many in business have learned the hard way the importance of hiring people with strong character. God's view on integrity, however, is different from the world's view. Many universities teach moral relativism, allowing you to decide right and wrong. God's moral code, however, starts with the concept of fearing God. Fearing God is to ... The post Integrity and Fearing God appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

It's not uncommon for workers to see their work as the source of earthly rewards like income, insurance, or even a sense of purpose. But our jobs also can provide eternal benefits when we use our work circumstances to serve others. From customers, to coworkers, to supply chain partners, work puts us in contact with ... The post Growing in Faith appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

If you have ever wondered if God values work, consider the number of jobs he has held. In “Workplace Grace,” authors Bill Peel and Walt Larimore list nearly two dozen occupations of God, including landscape architect, judge, farmer, environmental engineer, teacher, and inventor. The creation story in Genesis recounts God's work. “This is the ... The post God's Job appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In the work world, we often succeed by creating something of value for others. We are rewarded when we identify a need and then create a solution to meet it. We credit success to our efforts. In his book, “On Being a Servant of God,” Warren Wiersbe encourages a different focus when we serve others. ... The post Be A Channel appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

If you wisely decide to only hire someone with strong character, the hard part is determining if the potential hire has integrity. In banking, I learned that running credit bureaus on loan applicants was the best predictor of the future because it revealed how they handled past adversity. In interviews, learning how your job applicant ... The post The Past Indicates The Future appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

While in college, I dreamed of taking a spring break trip to Texas but had no money. But then a man ran a red light and smashed into my car, resulting in me receiving an unexpected check! I had a decision to make: Do I repair my car, or, do I choose a week ... The post Youthful Adventure appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When someone offers you unsolicited advice, how do you respond? Do you reject it out of hand? Or do you prayerfully consider that person's counsel, assessing how they came to that suggestion and the wisdom that they may offer? I was tasked with reorganizing a department when another manager shared his thoughts about things I ... The post Unsolicited Advice appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In a Wall Street Journal article titled, “It's Time to Start Tooting Your Own Horn at Work,” the author recommends developing a “brag book.” The author claims that it helps to keep track of our successes and testimonials for superiors or prospective employers. Many employers may remember yesterday's success but forget the five wins you ... The post Tooting Your Own Horn appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

One of my favorite Bible trivia questions is, “Who was the first person mentioned in scripture who was filled with the Holy Spirit?” Most people assume that it's Abraham or Moses. Instead, in Exodus 35:30, we learn, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ... The post An Important Workplace Calling appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

At 16 years old, Patrick was abducted from Britain and forced to become a shepherd in Ireland. But, it was during his time of tending sheep that his prayers resulted in his conversion to following Jesus. Eventually, Patrick escaped and returned to Britain. But then, through a dream, God called Patrick to return to Ireland ... The post St. Patrick's Day appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

It grieves me when someone tells me they refuse to do business with Christians because of past disappointments. I also have been disappointed by Christian business leaders, but likewise non-Christians have disappointed me as well. As followers of Jesus, we tend to have higher expectations of someone claiming to be a Christian. But refusing to ... The post Trust But Verify appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In this series we're talking about God's view on growth and multiplication. If you ask most business owners about their purpose for their business, they will often tell you that profit is their primary motive. God's view on the purpose for growing your business is much different. He desires us to use our business to ... The post God's Word on Growth and Multiplication: Part IV appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In this series we're talking about God's view on growth and multiplication. We've learned so far that God intended us to multiply and be fruitful and He desires to bless us by providing more provision. But God's abundant provision is usually tied to our obedience, and heeding God's warning. Last time we discussed the ... The post God's Word on Growth and Multiplication: Part III appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In this series, we're talking about God's view on growth and multiplication. Although God has some limitations on growth, today I want to emphasize that growth, or lack of growth, can be directly tied to God's favor. In Deuteronomy 7, God told Israel that obedience to His commands would result in the benefits mentioned in ... The post God's Word on Growth and Multiplication: Part II appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The business world promotes the idea that bigger is better, and that we should strive to multiply what we have. In this series, we will examine what God's Word says about growth. Let's start from the beginning. God gave Adam and Eve these instructions in Genesis 1:28, “God blessed them, and God said to them, ... The post God's Word on Growth and Multiplication: Part I appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Over the last few years, Hillsong, IHOP, Gateway Church, and now Bethel have had significant leadership failures. Even worse, these churches often covered up the extent of the damage done, rather than warn and shepherd the victims. Recently, it was discovered that Bethel Church had allowed Shawn Bolz to prophesy at Bethel for many years, ... The post The Cover Up appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The sudden death of the popular manager shocked the entire company. He was energetic and passionate about his work. He regularly worked with dozens of people on several key projects. His accidental death after work hours was even more traumatic to those who had been in meetings with him earlier that day. It can be ... The post Taken for Granted appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When a job application arrives, many employers look first for the applicant's work experience and job history. Although helpful, when it comes time to narrow your search, a more important issue to research is their character. Another good indication that character is important is God's fixation on integrity. If you find someone with integrity and ... The post Character First appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Our home is located between two grocery stores. One is a high-quality grocery store with a nice selection of meats and fresh produce. The other store has somewhat lower prices but low quality and selection. Recently Aldi's and Whole Foods moved-in near the lower priced grocery store. Last week that store announced it's closing. While ... The post Marketing Strategy and Competition appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Amanda Askell is a philosopher who works for Anthropic. Her job simply stated, according to the Wall Street Journal, is “to teach Claude how to be good.” As people interact with AI much like they would a friend or advisor, a legitimate concern is what moral principles are guiding its responses. AI is being developed ... The post How Does AI Define Good appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

At the conclusion of the national championship football game, Indiana University quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, was interviewed. He proclaimed, “I want to give God all the glory and thanks to God.” Some reporters noted that moments later Mendoza surprisingly dropped the F-bomb as well. Mendoza is a vocal Catholic, so hopefully his faith  is sincere and ... The post Praise and Cursing appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Erika was widely respected as a manager because she had a track record of excellent work and commitment to results. Employees were eager to be on her team because she also had a sincere and compassionate heart for others. She valued both purpose and people. In his letter to the Romans, Paul reinforced that love ... The post Truth and Grace appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Aaron measured his career progress by the results of his annual reviews. His hard work throughout the year all felt worth it when he read what his boss wrote in the year-end assessment. Aaron treasured the feedback from his boss, both for the praise he would receive, but also because that praise generally translated to ... The post Misplaced Glory appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The modern workplace often puts a premium on individual performance. Organizations build infrastructure to hire people with the talents and skills they need to succeed. Employee performance evaluations tend to focus on individuals' accomplishments toward the organization's goals. But concluding his letter to the Romans, Paul lists by name more than two dozen people to ... The post Join the Team appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When a salesperson cares about what's best for me, instead of for themselves, it can be so refreshing. Last year, I was speaking to the CEO of a software company about our software needs as a ministry. He owns a well-respected software company that serves nonprofits. After he listened to our needs, this CEO said, ... The post Loving Others in Business appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In the book, “Founding Fathers,” Alexander Hamilton and George Washington reportedly had a volatile relationship. Hamilton was known for his brash ambition and his hot-headed ways. On one occasion, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington had a petty argument that resulted in Hamilton resigning angrily. But, within an hour, Washington “sent an aide to tell Hamilton ... The post Washington and Hamilton appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to Gallup research, managers account for over 70% of the difference in employee engagement levels. Stated differently, the relationship your employees have with their direct supervisors will have the biggest impact on how well your employees engage in their work. Many leaders are masterful at deceiving their boss about their true performance. One major ... The post Seeking Candid Insight appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

As our plane was deboarding, people were leaving row by row in an orderly fashion until it came time for us. Suddenly four young men pushed me aside and forced their way off the plane. They didn't apologize or give a reason, they pushed through ignoring everyone else's needs. This prompted my wife, Kathy, to ... The post Civility and Common Decency appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The Barna research organization recently reported that only three in 10 Christians (31%) strongly agree that they have a personal responsibility to share their faith. The workplace can be a challenging place to share our faith. We can find many barriers, both real and imagined, to discourage faith conversations at work. Yet the workplace also ... The post Sharing Faith appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

There's nothing like a bad day to derail our best efforts at acting faithfully. As humans, we naturally turn our attention inward when challenges at work upset our plans and priorities. Knowing this, it's important to keep our hearts tender and moldable, and encourage others to do the same. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “See ... The post Soft Hearts appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Pondering President's Day, as a reminder of great leaders and their past struggles, is a helpful way to inspire and shape the culture of a nation. Businesses have a similar opportunity! Hebrews 11 highlights several heroes of the faith like Abraham, Moses, and Noah. The author chronicles these heroes experiences and victories as an encouragement ... The post President's Day Reflections appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

As I finished talking with a friend who built a $500 million company, I was reminded of my own shortcomings. I sometimes make decisions based on my perceived limitations rather than on reality. It's easy to believe that others are more successful because they have access to more cash or better people. It may be ... The post Unlimited Resources appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In God's worldview, the strength of a leader is one who embraces humility rather than power. Abe Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” In my opinion, one character trait undervalued is humility. The craving for power and control can consume ... The post Abe's Character Test appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In the book of Malachi, God criticized the Israelites for the ways they dishonored Him. They were no longer tithing or bringing unblemished sacrifices, just to name two of the ways God was disrespected. Despite the majority of Israel treating God poorly, there were those who esteemed God enough to be noted in what God ... The post Book of Remembrance appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

If you think about all the large companies in America, many may be led by Christians, but few customers would ever know. A few like Chick-fil-a, Hobby Lobby, or Coca-Cola Bottling are distinctly different because of their faith, but unfortunately the numbers of bold examples seem small. In Malachi, God praised those people who were ... The post Distinctly Different appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Graham Walker, former CEO of Fibrebond, refused to sell his company unless the buyers gave 15% of the proceeds to his employees. Due to Walker's generosity, the average employee received over $440,000. Mr. Walker had no obligation to bless his employees in this way, yet he did. Writing about the rich, Paul wrote in 1 ... The post A Benevolent Employer appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A bank I audited as a young man had a bank president named Ron. Ron had one of the most profitable and respected banks in our system. Ron cared deeply for his team members, and for his community. Ron watched over each teammate, protecting them from verbally abusive customers and loving and serving them in ... The post The Shepherd appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In this series, we're talking about leadership lessons I learned from banking. One bank I examined had a bank president named Ken. While reviewing a past due loan report, I was surprised to discover a large loan that was one year past due but not listed on their problem loan list. When I asked Ken ... The post The Ostrich appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.