Build Our House upon a Foundation of Rock

 

by John Keyser

This title comes from a chapter in Luke’s gospel about the importance of our values.

For anything to be built, it’s best we first lay a foundation. How we choose to build our foundation varies from person to person, company to company.

When we build our foundation on rock versus shifting sand, we are able to weather the storms, trials and tribulations of real life. Standing on a foundation of rock allows us to face challenges and tough decisions from a position of strength: the strength of our character.

Our corporate culture is guided to a very large extent by us as leaders. For our corporate culture to thrive, we must first assess and build our own personal culture – our character, our values and how we lead our lives.

Character is our integrity. It is our honesty, our trustworthiness. And character is our humility. It is our quiet confidence and generosity. It is our care and service for others.

In business, whether we are spiritual or not, it is essential that we make time for self-reflection.  Who am I right now? Am I being effective as a leader? Where did I fall short today? How can I do things/act differently the next time to be more congruent with who I want to be? What specific steps can I take to improve?

The more senior our position, the less truthful the feedback we tend to receive. This is one reason self-reflection is so important. We must ask ourselves, “Who can I share my personal development goals with? Who will give me continual feedback that is truthful and insightful, so that I can strive to be the best possible leader our company deserves?”

When we cultivate honest self-awareness, we become more clear and effective in leading our team. I encourage each of us to ask, “What is the current reality in this company? What am I willing to do to strengthen my personal culture so our organizational culture can thrive in far greater ways? What is my desired outcome for my leadership and for the spirit of our people, and what steps can I take now, even small steps, to move forward?”

When we build our leadership and our business on a solid foundation of strength of character, when we lead with integrity, humility and a commitment to serve our people, we will stand apart from other companies. We will be able to achieve our financial goals year after year and weather whatever storms come our way.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

~ John Wooden