Business as Usual Tag

02 Oct

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Cultivate Customer KindnessCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees, Customers/Clients, Community"Cultivate Customer Kindness" is about implementing practices that create opportunities for customers to engage in acts of "kindness" toward employees and the community.  It recognizes that "kindness" is an expression of the "first-order beliefs" God...

25 Sep

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Is the word "integrity" enough to guide a faithful leader on the ancient path to aligning the purpose, values and culture of an organization in a way that leads the organization and its people to do the right things, in the right ways, for the right reasons, without even thinking? There are two key aspects to the meaning of "integrity"--one...

18 Sep

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Choose the Better "T" of Trust (vs Track)COVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: EmployeesIn a world that has shifted to increased remote and hybrid work, "Choose the Better 'T' of Trust (vs Track)" is about cultivating an organizational culture in which employees can be trusted...

11 Sep

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Prioritize EmployeesCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees"Prioritize Employees" is about recognizing the importance of caring for employees for the right reasons.   It is grounded in Imago Dei, the Golden Rule and the commandment to love your neighbor, both in its application and its results. ...

04 Sep

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Recognize "AvoDay" (not Labor Day)COVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): OvertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees"Recognize AvoDay (Not Labor Day)" is about using the U.S. national holiday of Labor Day as an opportunity to speak life into work by referencing the work-affirming word "Avodah" rather than the work-devaluing word "Labor".  It...

28 Aug

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Leading with faithful integrity through business a better way toward Biblical flourishing should include implementing policies about when the organization will "speak up" or "shut up" about controversial social and political issues.  A recent news story highlights the importance of having policies in place before situations arise that the policies are intended to address.   We believe leading in alignment with...

21 Aug

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Leading with faithful integrity through business a better way toward Biblical flourishing should include living the Golden Rule consistent with good stewardship by paying employees for their work, paying refunds to customer/clients, and paying suppliers/vendors promptly.  It requires cultivating a "Should We" rather than a "Can We" culture. A recent news story paints a picture of a major retailer that...

14 Aug

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Regardless of what is posted on a website or promulgated in policies as an organization's formal purpose, values and culture, stakeholders will experience, and respond to, what they perceive to be the real purpose, values and culture of the organization.  A recent news story exposed real culture seemingly out of alignment with stated culture at a major financial institution. Aligning the...

07 Aug

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Foster Financial FitnessCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees"Foster Financial Fitness" is about adopting practices and benefits that are specifically designed to encourage and support the financial literacy and fitness of employees and their families. It recognizes that financial instability, difficulties and stress can negatively...

31 Jul

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

With an increasing number of organizations and leaders pulling back from, abandoning, or coming out "against" worldly DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) initiatives, the search for an alternative acronym to embrace and be "for" has led to some highly visible leaders promoting MEI--"merit, excellence, intelligence". They argue that diversity will be a natural by-product of MEI. For leaders...

24 Jul

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Waken Wellness COVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action): Practices COVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly Covert STAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees "Waken Wellness" is about adopting practices and benefits that are specifically designed to encourage and support the total wellness of employees, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. It recognizes that an organization pursuing faithful integrity through...

03 Jul

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) initiatives remain in the news, but most recently it has been because organizations are dismantling (or at least disguising) their ESG and DEI programs. "Keep the ESG/DEI Baby (and Your Nose)" is about faithful leaders retaining a Biblical vision of "environmental, social and governance" and "diversity, equity and inclusion" matters...

05 Jun

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Energize External GenerosityCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees, Customers/Clients, Community, KingdomGenerosity is such a foundational Biblical principle to operating with faithful integrity through business a better way toward Biblical flourishing that it is embedded in our word Integriosity®, which combines integrity and generosity.  "Energize...

22 May

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Does faith/work integration require Overtly faithful practices?  Leading an organization with faithful integrity in alignment with Biblical beliefs, principles and priorities toward Biblical flourishing requires a continual prayerful balancing of the call to be Courageous through Overtness and the need to be Wise through Covertness. Both the idolization of Overtness and the fear of being Overt may lead to poor stewardship. Wisdom...

08 May

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

It is impossible to talk honestly about the WHAT, WHY and HOW of business in alignment with Biblical beliefs, values and priorities without addressing how profit fits in.  Profit is NOT bad, and the creation by business of economic prosperity is good. Profit in a business is necessary for good stewardship of the business, which means it is necessary for...

01 May

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

As a faithful leader seeking to lead faithfully, you face a foundational choice between two starkly different options with profound implications. One option is business as usual — business in "the way of the world" or, more precisely, according to "the kingdom of this world." We call the other option business a better way — business aligned with Biblical beliefs,...

24 Apr

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Discourage WinningCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees, Customers/Clients, Suppliers/Vendors"Discourage Winning" may be counter-cultural, but it is not about "encouraging losing".  "Discourage Winning" is about cultivating an organizational culture that "encourages mutuality" in negotiations--looking for "win-win" results that take into account the needs and objectives...

17 Apr

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Close the GapsCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PeopleCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): OvertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees"Close the Gaps" is about organizing or facilitating study groups, or making available resources, that help employees get across the three "gaps" that can keep them from experiencing work as God intended it and that can make it...

10 Apr

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Keep Controversy Within Your MissionCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PoliciesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: KingdomWe don't mean that an organization should have a controversial mission.  "Keep Controversy Within Your Mission" is about putting in place policies and practices to ensure that the organization is prepared to take positions on...

03 Apr

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Be TrustworthyCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees, Customers/Clients, Owners, Suppliers/Vendors, Community, KingdomAmericans trust in institutions, including businesses, has declined.  "Be Trustworthy" is about putting in place policies and practices to ensure that the organization's stakeholders feel they can trust the organization and its people. ...

27 Mar

Posted at 11:00h in Integriosity Blog by

Does Easter shape the WHY of your work, business and investing?  Easter is important for every worker, business leader and investor who follows Jesus because it serves as a vivid reminder of a bigger WHY and a sacred relevance for our work, business and investing rooted in God's Restoration plan for His Kingdom.  Believing that Easter is the beginning of...

20 Mar

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Clean Your ChainCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees. Customers/Clients, Owners, Community, KingdomMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Clean Your Chain" is about putting in place policies and practices to ensure that your supply chain does not...

13 Mar

Posted at 14:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Terminate with GoldCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: EmployeesMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  When we say "Gold", we are not talking about money. "Terminate with Gold" is about taking extra care in applying the Golden Rule...

06 Mar

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Re-Imagine the BoxCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Owners, Employees, Customers/ClientsMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Re-Imagine the Box" is about re-imagining the traditional "Suggestion Box" by putting in place practices to ensure that the ideas, wisdom,...

28 Feb

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Create a Cue CardCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: EmployeesMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Create a Cue Card" is about literally creating a pocket-sized card that helps employees remember values, principles or practices critical to ensuring...

21 Feb

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Give "Horizontal" ThanksCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PeopleCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: EmployeesMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  While faithful leaders should always give "vertical" thanks to God, "Give Horizontal Thanks" is about faithful leaders taking the time to express their...

14 Feb

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Don’t “Toolify” HumansCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PeopleCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: EmployeesMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  “Don’t Toolify Humans” is more fundamental, because it is a reminder of the most important priority shift needed for an organization to align...

07 Feb

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Set Integrity Boundaries COVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action): Policies COVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly Covert STAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Kingdom Most Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization. "Set Integrity Boundaries" is about faithful leaders identifying, establishing and communicating the integrity lines the organization will not cross in how...

31 Jan

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Identify Your BeautyCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  ProductsCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Owners, Employees, Customers/Clients, Suppliers/Vendors, CommunityMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Identify Your Beauty" is about identifying and communicating to stakeholders how the organization's products and services Beautify the World. ...

24 Jan

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Recall Your Faithful Purpose COVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action): Practices COVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly Covert or Highly Overt STAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Kingdom Most Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization. "Recall Your Faithful Purpose" is implementing practices to remind your stakeholders about your WHY--your organization's Re-Imagined Purpose...

17 Jan

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Take Steps to PPPCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action): PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: KingdomMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization. “Take Steps To PPP” is about taking steps to Protect your Purpose from Profiteers. Part of implementing a bigger...

10 Jan

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Most faithful leaders are not CEOs or business owners--they are leading from somewhere in the middle, whether they are leading a division, department, business unit, team or project, supervising many people or one person, or simply leading by example as part of a team.  But God's call to faithful leadership and faithful integrity is not limited to owners and CEOs. ...

03 Jan

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Giving generously from wealth is a very good thing both for faithful leaders personally and for the businesses they lead, but faithful integrity and business a better way demand more.  Many organizations do important and excellent work helping faithful leaders understand the importance of being generous with their wealth.  However, by itself, the message of "give generously" can draw a...

27 Dec

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Thank Your Temps COVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action): Practices COVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly Covert STAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees Most Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Thank Your Temps" is about acknowledging the contributions of, and thanking, your temporary and freelance workers at year-end.  It's not complicated--theologically or...

20 Dec

Posted at 11:00h in Integriosity Blog by

Sometimes good-intentioned faithful leaders sprinkle faith "reindeer dust"--overt faith symbols and practices--believing that it is faith/work integration.  It isn't bad, and it can be very good, but by itself it is not leading with faithful integrity through business a better way toward Biblical flourishing.  By itself, sprinkling "faith" reindeer dust without transforming how the organization actually does business is what...

13 Dec

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

While you were paying attention to Time naming Taylor Swift their "Person of the Year", you might have missed Merriam-Webster's naming their "Word of the Year 2023"--Authentic.  "Authenticity", both at a leadership and organizational level, is a key aspect of leading with faithful integrity through business a better way toward Biblical flourishing.  An organization pursuing faithful integrity through business a...

06 Dec

Posted at 05:30h in Beautify the World, Glorify God, Humanize People, Integriosity Blog, Restore by

Over the last four years, we have been laying out and expanding on a model for moving toward what we call Integriosity®--leading with faithful integrity through business a better way and toward Biblical flourishing.  It is time to pause, take a breath and look back over the last 200 posts as we did after 100. We hope this is a...

29 Nov

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Integrous "helps faithful leaders lead with faithful integrity toward Biblical flourishing".  Our belief is that the bigger WHY of an organization aligned with Biblical beliefs, principles and priorities should be to maximize flourishing (rather than profit) by Humanizing People, Beautifying the World and Glorifying God, properly positioning profit as a necessary means to that end. When we talk about flourishing,...

22 Nov

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

Are you in (still in? always in?) a Thanksgiving mood!  Get ready for a silly but hopefully meaningful analogy. If Thanksgiving was your business, what would "profit" represent in the Thanksgiving preparation and meal?  Remember, profit is NOT bad, and the creation by business of economic prosperity is good. Profit in a business is necessary for good stewardship of the...

15 Nov

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Tear Down Those WallsCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: EmployeesMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Tear Down Those Walls" is not about Ronald Reagan, the U.S. border, dismantling offices, or moving to open-plan seating.  It is about...

08 Nov

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog by

A faithful leader who wants to lead with faithful integrity in alignment with Biblical beliefs, principles and priorities must avoid "doing an Ahaz".  You might be asking, "Who was Ahaz?"  The better question is "What's 'doing an Ahaz'?"  The best question is "How do I avoid 'doing an Ahaz'?"  Ahaz was one of those "did not do what was right...

01 Nov

Posted at 05:30h in "Leading Faithfully" Basics, Integriosity Blog by

The first step on the ancient path from the "as usuals" of business as usual, work as usual, and faith as usual to "a better way" is RENEW, and the first step of RENEW is reordering disordered priorities to "Keep First Things First".  The last of the four first principles embedded in the word Integriosity is Humility, and it is the key to understanding the...

25 Oct

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

INTEGRITY IDEA: Fortify FamilyCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: Employees/Community/KingdomMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Fortify Family" is about adopting practices and benefits that are specifically designed to encourage and support healthy employee families. It recognizes that God created...

18 Oct

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

ESSENCE:  Integrity Ideas are specific actions a faithful leader can consider in leading faithfully through business a better way.INTEGRITY IDEA: Provide "Plain" PricingCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PracticesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt): Highly CovertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: CustomersMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Provide Plain Pricing" is about...

11 Oct

Posted at 11:20h in Integriosity Blog by

Don’t worry--this is not about the U.S. Southern border, Eastern European borders or Middle Eastern borders.  It is about the border between the kingdom of the world and the Kingdom of God.  Kingdom border protection is trickier than geographic border protection because a faithful leader resides in both kingdoms and the border exists in the heart of the leader and...

27 Sep

Posted at 05:30h in "Leading Faithfully" Basics, Integriosity Blog by

ESSENCE:  The first step on the ancient path from the "as usuals" of business as usual, work as usual, and faith as usual to "a better way" is RENEW, and the first step of RENEW is reordering disordered priorities to "Keep First Things First". When "all the Law and the Prophets" depend on the commandments to love God and love your...

20 Sep

Posted at 05:30h in Integriosity Blog, Integrity Ideas by

ESSENCE:  Integrity Ideas are specific actions a faithful leader can consider in leading faithfully through business a better way.INTEGRITY IDEA: Adopt a "77" PolicyCOVERT-OVERT CONTINUUM (six Continuums for action):  PoliciesCOVERT-OVERT RATING (several levels from Highly Covert to Highly Overt):  OvertSTAKEHOLDERS SERVED: EmployeesMost Integrity Ideas are practical actions toward implementing a bigger WHY for the organization.  "Adopt a 77 Policy" is...