What’s Your Ideal Business Or Professional Person?

If you were to create the ideal business or professional person, what characteristics or qualities would you want to include? Which of these would be most important – the top priority – from your perspective?

Would this person be someone who accomplishes a lot, a “doer”? What about being an individual with vision, one who can inspire and lead others into the uncertain but compelling future? Would honesty and integrity be among the traits you would emphasize? Where would intelligence, skill, experience, flexibility, intuition, or even common sense fit into your “design” of this ideal person for the business world of the 21st century?

To consider this question, it might be helpful to look at the so-called “Proverbs 31 woman,” as described in the 31st and final chapter of Proverbs, the Bible’s great collection of wisdom. In its context, this passage describes the industrious wife of a civic leader. However, her positive qualities could easily be applied to the business and professional environment – for both men and women. In fact, a person like this could merit strong consideration as a candidate for CEO of a major corporation. Let’s look at some of these characteristics:

Good character and reputation are vital. Being a person of strong moral character not only reflects positively on ourselves; it also reflects on the organizations we represent. “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies…. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land…. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:10,23,26).

Being trustworthy and dependable enhances others’ confidence in us. If we are reliable and can be counted on in times of need or under pressure, our value to the organization soars. People want assurance that when they ask us to do something, it will be done – and done well. “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:11,12).

Hard-working, industrious people are corporate assets. In the business world, we encounter many people who do just enough to get by – don’t ask them to do more. A hard worker who pursues excellence is a precious asset for any company. “She…works with eager hands…. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls…. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks” (Proverbs 31:13,15,17).

A good leader demonstrates wisdom in the use of resources. Effective business people strive to maximize their company’s essential resources – its people, its capital, and core competencies. They leverage these resources for both present and future productivity. “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard” (Proverbs 31:16).

A focus on the “bottom line” is essential. Any organization, whether for profit or non-profit, must generate sufficient revenue to pay its bills and compensate employees adequately. Lofty goals must be balanced with everyday fiscal realities. “She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night…. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes” (Proverbs 31:18,24).

People receive top priority. Strong leaders regularly acknowledge the valued contributions of people in their organization. Rather than seeing people as a means to an end, they treat people with respect, fairness and understanding, being sensitive and responsive to their individual needs. “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy” (Proverbs 31:20).

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Can you think of someone who, in your mind, even begins to approach your ideal for a business or professional person? If so, what are some of this person’s qualities that you especially admire or value?

2. We have all seen people who succeed and advance in the business world by utilizing less than admirable tactics and behaviour. Why do you think such people are sometimes “rewarded” for being less than virtuous in a professional sense?

3. Which of the traits that describe this “Proverbs 31 woman” seem most important to you? Explain your answer.

4. Do you think there is any point in striving toward becoming an ideal business or professional person? Is it realistic? Why or why not? How would you advise someone desiring to cultivate some of the qualities described in this “Monday Manna”?

NOTE:  Take some time to read the remainder of Proverbs 31 and see what other principles you can find that could be applied to today’s workplace.

His Trust Was In Jesus

The story behind the naming of this country “The Dominion of Canada” by Paul Richardson

Sir Leonard Tilley was one of those early leaders. He had been the Premier of New Brunswick who had entered politics years earlier. He was moved, I understand, by the violent death of his neighbours, who were killed in a drunken, domestic dispute. This was so distressing to him that he wanted to make a difference in this “new land”. So, he ran for office and remained in public service for more than three decades.

He devoted his life to seeing this nation formed under the power of God. So much so, that at the end of his life, as he neared death, he told his family to put on his grave “His trust was in Jesus”. He wanted this on his simple tombstone so that those who passed by could be encouraged in their own life. He wanted them to know that this had been the true source of his success and the power that influenced his life. When he took office, there was no railroad or nation. When he died, Canada was a nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific and it was joined by rail from Sydney to Vancouver.

Sir Leonard Tilley got up one morning in early September in Charlottetown. He was part of the New Brunswick delegation to Prince Edward Island with many other people who were there to discuss the formation of a new country. He had left the constitutional meeting the day before with the mandate that all of the others had — What are we going to call this nation of Canada? Will it be a kingdom, or an empire, or a commonwealth? That morning in early fall he had been reading Scrip¬ture, as was his habit, from both the Old Testament and the New.

He was beside his bed when he read, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 72:8 KJV) He stopped reading because he had read far enough. He rose from his knees and went to the confederation assembly and told them that he had heard from Heaven. He suggested they recommend to Queen Victoria that the Nation of Canada should, from that point on, be named as “The Dominion of Canada” and that God would have Dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.

The rest is history, but this is the beginning of our nation. Many others since, have had the same passion for our nation. It is even reflected in the fourth verse of our national anthem,

“Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,

Hold our dominion within thy loving care;

Help us to find, O God, in thee a lasting, rich reward,

As waiting for the Better Day, We ever stand on guard.

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.”

This simple truth is the foundation for our nation and this ministry. It is with great joy that I take up the torch to help Canadians become true leaders in the marketplace. May it be said about me and about you at the end of our lives, “His trust was in Jesus.”

Article was first published in the Fall 2006 edition of Business LIFE.

Praise as Prayer

Revolutionize your relationship with God and your understanding of the situations of life

When was the last time you received a compliment? Why did you receive it? Were you being recognized for some-thing you did? For the way you did it? For the skills you demonstrated? Did someone want something from you and thought that flattery would soften you up? Were you complimented because of who you are? If so, was it because of the position you occupy, the resources you command, and the favours you could dispense? Or was it because of your essence, who you are as a person?

In a society driven by outcomes and achievement we seldom are complimented because of our personality or character. More often it’s because of what we have done or can do. So often compliments carry with them a certain sense of obligation. To receive one is somehow to be indebted to the one giving it.

That’s unfortunate, because compliments appropriately given are a sincere form of recognition and praise. The one being complimented is seen as one who has certain attributes that lead to success, however the issuer defines success in that particular context.

More than that, compliments also serve to remind both the receiver and others of things that are important: personal qualities of character, a set of skills, a discerning mind, a helpful attitude, grace under pressure, or any of a myriad of other characteristics. Compliments serve to point to the person, rather than the outcome, even if it is the outcome that generates the compliment in the first place. They remind us that life is, at its core, personal. Life consists first and foremost of people; only secondarily is it actions and outcomes. Sincere compliments celebrate the individual, not the deed.

When it comes to our relationship with God we use the term “praise” rather than “compliments.” Regardless of the word used, however, we are talking about the same thing — recognizing that God is first and foremost personal, and celebrating His Being rather than His acts.

Paul E. Billheimer, in Destined for the Throne, describes praise as “the highest form of prayer because it combines petition with faith.” In prayer we are talking with the One who has the capability of responding to our deepest needs out of His infinite knowledge of what is best. To approach that One in an attitude of praise is to remind us of Who we are dealing with. Praise requires that we recognize the character of God, His qualities, His magnificence and capabilities.

Billheimer adds “the missing element that is necessary to energize triumphant faith is praise — perpetual, purposeful, aggressive praise.” Praise is the means by which we rise above ourselves, move outside ourselves, and shift our focus toward Another. It is impossible to be self-centered and praise God simultaneously, just as it is impossible to extend a compliment to someone else and remain absorbed in oneself. At the moment we are speaking, our attention is all on the other person. So when we praise God our attention is all on Him.

To praise God as Creator of the universe is to recognize that we are dealing with One who is much “bigger” than we are. It helps us to overcome the temptation to try to reduce God to human size. To praise God as Redeemer is to remind ourselves that He has already initiated a relationship with us and made it possible. We need not fear that the separation from Him that we may feel at a particular moment in time is a permanent condition. To praise God as Sustainer is to understand that the very breath of life comes from Him and we are sustained by Him during our time on this earth. To draw breath is to be the beneficiary of His grace, and such beneficence deserves a positive response from us.

What a contrast to much of our prayer time! So many of our prayers stem from self-absorption rather than focus on God. They come from a desire for changed circumstances for ourselves or others, rather than a commitment to changing our attitude toward God. God is seen as at best our servant, at worst an indulgent genie. Our tendency is to let praise flow after answered prayer rather than before, to make it conditional on our satisfaction with God’s response rather than an essential component of our approach to God.

We need to reorient our prayer life, to diligently practice praise as prayer.

As a person of prayer, King David understood that praying through praise can revolutionize both one’s relationship with God and one’s understanding of the circumstances and situations of life. In an introspective moment near the end of his life, when one would expect him to be self-absorbed, he gives us a model of praise as prayer. In part, he said,

“Praise be to you, O LORD,

God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.

In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

(1 Chronicles 29:10 – 13)

The rest of his prayer moves back and forth between petition and praise, praise and petition.

We find the same pattern in many of the Psalms, as well as in the prayers of other great Old Testament leaders including King Solomon and Nehemiah. The apostle Paul follows a similar approach in several of his letters in the New Testament. And many of the great prayer warriors of today have learned the power of praise as prayer.

If you don’t already praise God as a form of prayer, isn’t it time you started?

If you want triumphant faith in the midst of overwhelming challenges, praise the One who sent His Son to overcome the world.

First Published in Fall 2006 Edition of Business LIFE