Tragedy strikes without warning and the average person is usually at a loss as to how to respond.  As Christian business leaders, we cannot afford to be average.  Whether we like it or not, everyone will be looking to us for direction and support.  Our workplace response can have huge ripple effects – both good and bad.  Therefore it is critical we respond in a way that has a positive impact.

Below, I have listed seven areas in which you need to be prepared to act in the event of tragedy at your business.  Of course, “employee tragedy” is a huge topic, so I have attempted to make this a general list.

1. Preparation

What is your plan for an emergency?  Who does what?  Who calls whom (911, chaplain, family, other)?  These are all questions you need to answer for your business.  Consider creating a team of employees to address basic plans for the most likely emergencies. Make sure this plan is communicated to every employee once completed and is an ongoing part of new employee orientation.

2. Prayer

While it may be obvious to some, it may not occur to others in the heat of the moment. Group prayer can be a huge comfort to everyone involved in a tragedy.  It should be permitted, even encouraged, throughout the various stages of the situation.  [When we were going through the death of our sales manager, I gathered everyone nearby to another part of the showroom for prayer.  While the paramedics were doing everything in their power to save him, we were 30 feet away and I was doing everything in my power to keep my emotions together and lead in prayer.  My voice was cracking and faltering, but it was a powerful moment.  This had a huge impact on the employees present.]

3. Leadership

As the leader, you should take charge of the situation…making sure the plan is being followed, the employees are informed, and people are praying.  Other leadership needs to know who else is to step into that role if you are not there.  A critical part of this is informing the employees about what is going on as soon as is reasonably possible.  When they are kept in the dark, imaginations run wild and fear gains strength.

4. Chaplain

The chaplain is an indispensable asset in these situations.  We use Corporate Chaplains of America.  A chaplain is trained in so many areas that are useful in tragic circumstances – counseling & comforting employees and/or family members, applying Scripture, etc.  I cannot adequately describe the incredible strength our chaplain brings to our organization on normal days, but he is absolutely priceless in a tragedy.

5. Compassion

Show compassion!  Employees will be in shock and need attention, support, and time to cope.  A stern, “Get back to work” has no place in a Christian business. Depending on the severity of the situation, this shock could take weeks to pass.  Be patient.

6. Family assistance

Tread carefully here.  While it is easy and natural to consider an employee tragedy as “your” tragedy, it is the family members involved that are at the center of it.  Be sensitive to their needs.  Do your best to set your grief aside and serve them first.  In addition to assistance at the time of the tragedy, depending on the situation, many families will need significant assistance going forward.  [The other dealership I mentioned earlier went the distance and hired a financial advisor for the family, paid off their cars and credit cards, and covered tuition for their children for the remainder of the school year!]

7. Closure

Many times, most employees are unable to go to a funeral due to business hours, so it is a great idea to hold a simple memorial service a week or two later, at the business during business hours, to allow all employees the chance to say a few words, meet the family, and get closure. [Our chaplain led the ones we have done and, in each case, the family was present and appreciative of the opportunity. Depending on the situation, it can also be a great opportunity to present the gospel!]

Have you experienced tragedy in your business?  How did you respond?

Would you go back and change anything if you could?

How far does our responsibility go as Christian business leaders?

Bad Assumption?

In my last post, we looked at the picture above and made some assumptions. We imagined that the owner of this 1991 Honda Accord replaced the typical “H” Honda emblem on the grille with the “GMC” emblem that is more likely found on trucks. Since the photo was taken in the mountains of North Georgia, I concluded that the owner might have been trying to “fit in” with his friends who drove trucks.

But what if I was wrong? What if he was not actually trying to “fit in” for the purpose of acceptance and security, but instead had a more noble purpose? What if he was simply trying to blend with the culture around him, building relationships for the purpose of eventually witnessing to them about Jesus?

Engage Culture

I am sure some of you reading this are asking why we should spend time wildly speculating about the reasons for this modification. I understand, but I think the lesson is worth discussing. In fact, I think there is a huge lesson here for all of us.

The apostle Paul actually wrote some very compelling Scripture about this very idea. It was his intent to engage culture by blending into the world around him for the purpose of winning souls to Jesus. He would do anything within the guidelines of Scripture to accomplish this goal. Read his words on the subject.

Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. To those who are without that law, like one without the law—not being without God’s law but within Christ’s law—to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak.

I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.
1 Corinthians 9:19-22

Whatever the reasons for the “GMC” on the front of the Honda Accord, as Christian business leaders, we have a responsibility to follow the example lived out by Paul. We ARE to engage culture. Unlike in the last post, our purpose is not to gain acceptance and security. We are not looking for love. We are looking to share love instead.

I encourage you to change your mindset (or broaden it) to see winning those around you to Christ as your primary purpose. To accomplish this goal, you will have to take drastic measures at times. You will need to be willing to build relationships with those you want to impact for eternity, with whatever methods are necessary and effective.

Here are 7 ways you can engage culture around you, blending in for the purpose of relationship and eventual evangelism. Are you already doing any of these? Is your motive pure?

Strategy #1 – Join the effort

A great way to begin building relationships with other business people in your area is to join a civic organization. While you are sure to find Christians in these groups, you will also find those who either have no faith or simply associate with a faith out of convenience or tradition. Whatever the case, a membership in one of these organizations will give you plenty of opportunities to build relationships with the lost.

Strategy #2 – Connect With Business Groups

These groups can be trade associations, mastermind or networking groups, or simply social groups centered around the common interest of business. There are many benefits to these groups, but the main one concerning us is the presence of those who do not know Jesus. Enjoy the other benefits, but keep your primary purpose at the forefront of your mind!

Strategy #3 – Be Inclusive With Local Competition

The typical business leader does not necessarily spend much time with his or her direct competition. Reverse this trend and see if there is a local marketing association or trade group made up of your local competitors. If not, maybe you should start one! Assuming you know your competition includes those without an evident faith in Christ, begin building relationships with them through a group setting like this.

Strategy #4 – Serve With Non-Profits

Here is a way that will allow you to give back to your community at the same time. Joining a non-profit board will put you in contact with many leaders from various industries. Your knowledge of the common leadership language among these people will assist you in building the relationships you seek. You could also take another approach and serve as a volunteer. In this way you will interact with those on the front lines, meeting needs and bonding with each other.

Strategy #5 – Attend Business/Social Gatherings

Regardless of where your business is located, there are likely many business-related organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, ad associations, and development authorities that you can join easily. You can also find a local event center with a calendar of fundraisers for local causes. Be intentional and engage with any of these. You will find plenty of relationship opportunities here.

Strategy #6 – Engage Your Employees

Too often, business leaders are quick to look outside their businesses for evangelism opportunities, but never look inside their employee base for the same. Clearly, this strategy comes with the need for a little more discretion. It is very difficult to both lead and build close relationships with your employees. In fact, some would say it cannot work.

My advice here is to begin engaging your employees about their families, hobbies, and outside pursuits. Show a genuine interest in what makes them tick. Over time, you will build trust and some will allow you to speak into their lives. If you are going to pursue this strategy, I would suggest a plan that includes a company chaplain.

Strategy #7 – Pray For Opportunities & Awareness

Who better to show you the best places for you to engage the culture than God? Go to Him and pray that He would show you those areas where you can intentionally build relationships for the purpose of pointing others to Him. Go in with an open mind and eager heart. Begin paying close attention to your surroundings for opportunities He may be presenting to you. I promise, He is faithful to answer your request here.

Can you see the urgent need for Christian business leaders to engage culture?

Do you currently engage culture with any of these strategies?

Which of these strategies will you implement?

Photo by ME!

Hear Me Out

Before you you get upset with me, listen to what I am saying. Hear me out. I think you will understand…and possibly agree.

We celebrate the freedoms earned by the deaths of those in service of their country, yet many never even take advantage of these very freedoms! We thank our current service men and women for their service, but too often we take for granted the freedoms they provide.

Let me ask you a question. Think for a minute before you answer this question. Be honest with yourself.

Would your life be dramatically changed if it was suddenly illegal to practice your faith?

What Would Change?

As you think about this question, consider the following questions. Would you suddenly have to stop witnessing to others or is that not something you do very often now? Would you be forced to stop reading your Bible every day or is that not really a habit of yours? What else in your life would have to dramatically change to comply with this new (hypothetical) law?

What about your business practices – would they have to change if exercising your faith became illegal? Do you currently leverage your business for ministry purposes? What about your business would have to change to comply with this new law?

I am sure some of you are thinking we are already seeing some signs of this change in our country. Maybe, but that is not my point. Others are saying they would simply refuse to comply with a law like this. I understand, but neither is that my point.

Freedom Of Faith

People have died to preserve our freedom to exercise our faith. Wives have given up husbands and husbands have given up wives. Children have given their parents and parents have given their children. All of this has happened so WE can continue to have the freedom to exercise our faith.

Yet, too often, we are not living out this freedom! We have the freedom to practice our faith in the marketplace, but many do not. We have the freedom to witness to others around us, but many do not. We have the very simple freedom of being able to own a Bible and read it whenever we want to…but still many do not.

I wonder how I would feel if I was one of the many who had died to provide these freedoms. If I was then given the opportunity to look around and see how those freedoms were being handled by Christians today, would I be proud of my sacrifice or frustrated by it? Would I be willing to go through it all again or would I wish I could have a do-over?

Maximize Your Freedom!

Maybe some of you think I have taken this too far. If so, I apologize. In NO WAY do I want to minimize the sacrifices of our soldiers. Instead, my desire is to light a fire under any Christians who are currently taking their freedoms for granted. I want to see a world where followers of Christ are living out their freedoms to the greatest extent allowed.

Personally, I think the greatest opportunity for seeing growth here is in the workplace. I believe Christian business owners and leaders need to step up and quit taking these freedoms so lightly. We celebrate Memorial Day and rightly so. Now let’s live out the freedoms that were paid for by the sacrifices of those we remember.

What freedom are you taking for granted?

What change do you need to make?

Are you ready to step up?

Photo by Leigh Prather/Shutterstock

Life Planning

Life planning is not necessarily a common occurrence among Christian leaders today, but it is gaining recognition and momentum. Effectively, it is a process of creating an overall strategy for our lives. The idea is to focus all of your resources and various roles (disciple of Jesus, husband/wife, parent, owner/employee, friend, etc.) so that they are in alignment with God’s will for your individual life.

In this blog, I have completed a series of posts that take you step by step through the process I use for my life plan. I also included the tools I use in that process. I have told you that I am not even close to having this whole process figured out! To this day, after several years of working on my life plan, I still struggle with consistency and focus at times.

Looking For Improvements

For that reason, I am always on the lookout for another tool, or modification to my current tools, that could help me do a better job of executing this life plan. Wherever I see an article about life plans I clip it to Evernote. If I get a chance to download someone else’s diagram of a dashboard, I do it.

Though I still do not have it perfected by any means, I have made some modifications over the years that have helped. Most of these changes have come in the way of simplifying the process.

A New Idea!

Roughly a month ago, I read a book that gave me an idea I thought could be a big help to me. The book was called Seven Days in Utopia, by David Cook. If you have not read the book, then I strongly urge you to do so. The movie is also good, but the book is more helpful in teaching us about life due to the greater detail.

In that book, the main character (a professional golfer) was advised that he needed his own game plan every time he approached a tournament. He was told that his ability to stick to his game plan would determine his success. If he were easily thrown off his plan by opponents or circumstances, then he would suffer for it.

Daily Game Plan

As I read, I realized I could use a similar process in my daily life. If I could come up with a daily “game plan” based on my life plan, then I may be more consistent in my execution. The more I thought about it the more I liked the idea.

As I thought about what I wanted this daily game plan to look like, I first determined that I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. That meant it would not be able to include every aspect of my life plan or even the dashboard I use to simplify that. It would have to leave out some things if I planned to use it every day.

I also decided I wanted to be able to carry it with me throughout the day. I did not want something that would be too difficult to refer to often with a quick glance. Since I move around a lot during the day – from office to office and building to building – this was going to be an important factor to get right.

Finally, I wanted it to be something I could complete every morning in my quiet time. It needed to be customizable based on what any particular day could hold. I wanted it to only contain information I need for that one day.

Not Yet Perfected!

I will close by saying that I have not completely figured it out yet. I have spent the past month trying various layouts of this game plan. I have tried it on paper and electronically. I have skipped parts on some days and other parts on other days.

I am pleased to report that the results so far are good! I am seeing improvement in the effectiveness of my days. While I am not seeing an overnight tripling of my productivity, I am seeing some very clear benefits. I have seen enough improvement so far to keep me working on the idea.

Details To Come!

In my next post, I am going to show you my daily game plan as it stands today. I will take you through each part of it step-by-step and explain the reasoning behind each. I hope you will find some benefit to the process.

I will go ahead and ask you to take a look and give me feedback. I am interested in your ideas and critiques. If you see something I have missed, please call me out on it! I see this as an opportunity to vet this tool and improve it.

Feedback?

I would love to hear from you on what I have shared so far. Do you see this as a worthy process or do you think I am a nut case for even trying?!? Either way, please give me your comments below and lets see where everyone stands on this!

Do you have a life plan that is helping you to be intentional?

Do you see the need for a daily game plan to work from?

What do you use to accomplish this?