We hold firmly to several values about life and work that are like a lens from which we view the world, make decisions during both challenges and opportunities. We choose to see life through this lens. Here’s what we hold dear.
Relationships: We are all in the people business and we believe that building strong, reliable and trusting relationships is key to success. Whether we are coaching, training or just advising our clients, we know that strong relationships can pave the way for change and success.
A Heart Focus: We believe Proverbs 4:23 when it says “out of the heart, flow the issues of life”. We believe that a focus on the heart and repairing and purifying the heart, can lead to significant transformation within a company and family.
Ideas: While actions speak louder than words, it’s words and beliefs that drive those actions. If you believe “messing around on the side” is no big deal, then you’ll get secret service agents who hire prostitutes in Columbia. If you believe we can bend the rules just a bit, you’ll have managers who cut corners and give larger bonuses to friends or alter customer billing records. What you believe matters. Know what you believe and do your best to live from that.
Accountability: Sharing what you believe with others is important because it puts your system on the line in a way that can be measured; it puts you face to face with accountability. It also tells others what’s important to you…standing for something is more important than doing somethings and when you can both – stand for something and then act out of that belief – you’ve hit your stride.
Trust: Without a committed, trusting relationship real change is not possible. To keep from “looking over our shoulders” we have to be able to trust our teammates and friends. When we have trust, we can operate in freedom and do what we believe is right….without trust, people tend to give only part of what they really are to the effort. It’s nearly impossible to “go big or go home” when there is a lack of trust.
Respect: Being respectful of and valuing other’s opinions leads to discovery of real need. We believe that the opinions and ideas of others matter. They must be respected and we must work hard to find the best in each other, to respect where each other is coming from. It’s hard to have respect for others if you don’t have humility. Being humble and admitting you don’t have all the answers opens the door to being able to respect others.
Passion: While doing what you love is not always be possible, living out of the essence of who you are can be done 24/7; if you love coaching little league, do it. If you love serving the underprivileged, then do it, even if it’s only on the weekends; if helping improve our educational system is your passion, then get involved in education in some way; and if you ever….if you ever, have the opportunity to do “it” full-time in your core passion, by all means run toward that…hard and fast.
Giving: Focusing on others and their real needs is the purest form of giving; whether it’s a homeless person, a client or your spouse. Giving of your undivided attention, seeking to understand first and then be understood and having a generous attitude with your time, talents and treasure is key to living a fulfilled life.