In the business and corporate world, achieving purpose is usually described in terms of planning, strategic planning, decision making, and innovation. Sometimes inspiration and passion are included (the history of Nike).
In the spiritual world, achieving purpose is usually described in terms of faith, prayer, manifestation, and miracles.
To be effective, conscious leaders integrate these. Leading others to achieve the purpose (vision / mission) involves the same leadership characteristics and behaviors in both worlds. If you study the lives / actions of leaders in each sector, you will find most of the same characteristics and skills. The skills and approaches that work in one environment work in the other. Global purposes require “leaps of faith” (Steve Jobs – change the world). Spiritual purposes require implementation skills (The Pagett’s – see below).
REFLECT
Do you know / know of a leader in the business arena that brings spiritual principles into her / his leadership?
Do you know / know of a leader in the spiritual arena that brings business / organizational principles into her / his leadership? Ie (churches have to pay the bills).
The story of Bob and Charlene Pagett founding Assist International is called a “leap of faith” and written about from a Christian perspective. Being obedient to God and praying are the cornerstones of their beginnings. And along with between the biblical “messages”, the development of a business model with business processes and procedures emerges. Bob was the visionary risk taker: Charlene was the organizer and strategist – the COO (Chief Operating Officer).
In 1990, Bob retired from his ministry and went to Eastern Europe “to help those seeking freedom”. He had support from his community and funding from his local Rotary (of which he was a founder). He designed and built orphanages based on an innovative approach – a family home model – with fewer children and a married couple acting as “parents”. (While this model worked in most countries, it was not successful in Haiti where corruption and violence prevailed. It was abandoned after a two year struggle. Sometimes, neither model works!)
Then, using his extensive networking, Bob began procuring medical equipment for hospitals – providing transportation, delivery, installation and training.
Over the decades, the organization expanded from a “mom and pop” activity to a non-profit organizational operating in dozens of countries. The current website appears much like any mission driven organization’s website, with polished phrasing for mission, program, and approach. The “leap of faith” and prayer elements are not evident.
Mission:
Assist International partners with changemakers around the world to provide solutions that save lives and build resilient communities.
Programs
We accomplish our mission with actionable projects that make a lasting and sustainable impact on the communities we serve.
Approach: Build Local-capacity for Long-term Sustainability
The best way to drive lasting change is to partner with local individuals, NGOs, and governments to increase their capacity to meet their community’s needs. We want to partner with individuals, from frontline nurses and doctors to biomedical engineers, and equip them with tools and training so that they can continue impacting communities long after our involvement ends.
Clearly, the organizational culture shifted from miracles to management, which is not uncommon with growth and globalization,
My point is: separating the models is not necessary. The web page could include the founding story and highlight faith and prayer. It’s interesting to note that the founder of modern management theory, Peter Drucker, consulted with churches before working with businesses. For both, he focused on building character and defining who is to be served and how.
APPLY:
As a conscious leader, how would you maintain a spiritual culture in a global organization?
Leap of Faith, Bill and Nancie Carmichael, Deep River Books, 2021.
