Breaking Down Walls? No, Building Up Relationships
“Today, many will break through the barriers of the past by looking at the blessings of the present. Why not you? – Steve Maraboli
A message from Paul Schulz, President of SAS Advisory Services
Behold the image below. What are your immediate thoughts upon seeing it?
“Oh, that’s interesting.” Or, “Hmmm, that’s a bold move.” Or, “Is this attempted career suicide?”
First, a bit of background. I’ve been a member of C-Suite for Christ, an ecumenical organization for professionals of faith, for around two years. The business executives I’ve met are insightful. The speakers at our monthly meetings are inspiring.
I enjoy the Morning Inspirations by Paul M. Neuberger, the organization’s founder. The God Moments, where members share turning points in their lives, are often riveting (you can find all these presentations on the organization’s YouTube channel).
C-Suite for Christ is a worthy organization, one that I support and encourage others to look into. So, when the opportunity arose to be part of its Feb. 9, 2023, Covering the World in Christ Celebration, I didn’t hesitate.
There’s an old maxim that you shouldn’t mix business and religion. Many organizational leaders would likely enjoy the fellowship and support of C-Suite for Christ, yet might stay away because of this belief. I disagree … and mostly for reasons having to do with sound leadership tenets.
If you believe in servant leadership, Jesus Christ is the ultimate example. Servant leadership, which I espouse, ties in with faith-based beliefs. You don’t need to quote Scripture at work or have Bible passages hanging on the walls. You just need to stand for a belief system that’s deep, meaningful, and passionate. Maybe it’s faith. Maybe it’s something else.
Demonstrating servant leadership adds to the culture of an organization. People will follow a leader who demonstrates a serve-first mindset and focuses on empowering and uplifting those who work for them. The servant leader moves beyond the transactional aspects of management and actively seeks to develop and align an employee's sense of purpose to a higher goal.
For all these reasons and more, I support C-Suite for Christ … and am putting my money behind it. I don’t see a “wall” between faith and the office. Instead, I see a bridge that people can choose to go over (or not).
One of the most gratifying parts of C-Suite for Christ is encountering people I’ve met elsewhere. Our newfound common interest cements a bond, providing the opportunity for conversations at a deeper level. In an atmosphere of trust, much can be addressed and resolved.