5 Questions Christian CEOs Should Consider To Maintain Perspective
There are five critical questions that Christian executives need to be asked to ensure that they hear the words, "well done, good and faithful servant."
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by Ken Gosnell
Leaders at the top of any organization can often lead in isolation with very little accountability or feedback. Leaders who lead better have trusted advisors and strategic partners around them who can speak truth into the life of the leader and ask the questions of the leader that no one else is willing or able to ask.
I have interviewed and consulted with faith-driven executives for years, and I have found that there are five critical questions that Christian executives need to be asked to ensure that they hear the words, "well done, good and faithful servant."
Do You See Your Business as a Job or a Mission?
Faith-driven leaders have been called and set apart for the critical mission of leading their business both for growth and for Kingdom impact. Unfortunately, many business owners become burdened with the business, and it just becomes another job or task to complete rather than a mission to fulfill. For the Christian executive, they must embrace that their business is their ministry, and their business work is their spiritual calling. Therefore, the faith-driven leader should always remember the mission of their work and let that motivate them to embody excellence in every area of their business. Thus the faith-driven leader should be asked frequently, do you see your business as a job or as a mission?
How has being a Christian Impacted Your Business?
If you are a Christian executive and your faith has not impacted our business, then you are doing something wrong. For the faith-driven leader, integration of faith and work is essential, and therefore, the leader's belief should have a significant impact on the business of the Christian leader. Christian impact does not mean that the leader has to preach at work or try to convert every person in the organization, but it does say something about you decide to lead your business. The goal for spiritual impact is that every person that comes into contact with your business should understand that you are a Christian and that your faith has had a positive effect on your business. Thus the faith-driven leader should be asked often, how has being a Christian impacted your business?
If you are a Christian executive and your faith has not impacted our business, then you are doing something wrong!
How do you Define Significance and Success?
The way that the Christian executive defines success is far different from the regular business owner. Christian executives define success in terms of kingdom impact and eternal wins. When a business owner only chases after success as the world defines it (an accumulation of money, wealth, prestige), it leads to continued frustration and a sense of emptiness. The faith-driven leader must define success as Jesus would explain it when He states that it does not profit a man to gain the world at yet lose his soul. Success is really about significance and hearing the words Well Done, because the faith-driven leader has fulfilled their mission and their call.
Thus, the faith-driven leader should be asked consistently, how do you define significance and success.
How have you grown in the last 12 to 24 months to become a better Christian business leader?
Great leaders are growing leaders. Every leader should be growing. Business is always changing, and it is only the growing leader that can continue to stay relevant in the market. Every leader has blind spots and weaknesses, and therefore, leaders must continue to improve themselves.
Business is always changing, and it is only the growing leader that can continue to stay relevant in the market.
For Christian executives, they have the mission to grow both as a business leader and as a disciple These two aspects of leadership can be interwoven, but they are distinctly different. Secular business information and groups will never help the Christian CEO grow as a disciple. The Christian CEO has the call to strive to understand biblical business principles and apply those principles in every area of their leadership, which includes at home with their spouse and their children. The Christian leader should become the best parents, spouses, and best leaders in the marketplace. Thus the Christian CEO should be asked how they are growing as a Christian leader.
Who keeps you accountable to living a remarkable Christian life?
Every successful leader knows that they need accountability to achieve peak performance. Every leader can face a temptation to cut corners or do things in an unethical way, which will impact the overall performance of a company. Christian leaders understand this importance to a maximum degree. Every CEO needs trusted advisors who can keep them accountable in every area of their life by asking the leader real questions about the areas of potential weaknesses in the life of a leader. Therefore, the faith-driven leader should be asked often: who keeps you accountable for living a remarkable Christian life?
‘God bless. #HAGDOW