NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Concordia University in Irvine invited a national best-selling Christian author and businesswoman to share about how to bring spiritual principles into the business world.
Laurie Beth Jones, author of "Jesus, CEO" and "Jesus, Entrepreneur," was the guest speaker at the Christian Leadership Speaker Series luncheon hosted by Concordia on Wednesday. The gathering boasted a record high attendance of more than 470 Christian business men and women of southern California, according to the director of university communication Doug Fleischli. During the luncheon, attendees were called to study the life of Jesus and apply his leadership skills into their own businesses.
"He had only three years to train twelve people," said Jones.
"Well, he had staffing problems so he ended with eleven and lost 10 percent of the work force," the best-selling author joked, "but there was something about him that so inspired them (the disciples) that they were willing to work for free and to die for him."
Jones summarized Jesus' effective leadership into three skills: self mastery, action, and relationship skills.
Christian businessmen must be disciplined and know their strengths, weaknesses, and challenges, she said. Jones used the scripture example of Jesus' temptation – in particular the one to turn the stone into bread – to illustrate self mastery.
"What he faced in the wilderness was the test from the Holy Spirit – ‘Will you use your gifts for God or for your own selfishness?’" Jones explained. "I think that is asked of each one of us."
Taking action was the second skill that made Jesus an effective leader. The speaker reminded the audience that as Christians, they had to be action-oriented.
"With his last breath he was doing good," Jones said. "We had to nail him down to keep him from taking action."
Lastly, according to Jones, leaders should learn to motivate workers and stir excitement in employees through effective relationship skills. The former owner of a successful advertising agency for 15 years explained that employees should not only refer to the mission statement as something written on the wall or paper, but instead they should be excited and motivated by the company's mission and vision and know it by heart.
"The first thing he did was excite them about the big picture – 'Follow me. We are not going to catch minnows but souls,’" said Jones. “These people were sweating and struggling to make a living. They were excited not about pay but about the passion of the vision.
“As a leader, first thing you have to do is get them excited,” she continued. “Do they know about the mission and vision? Do you know what their mission is?"
In addition, Jones mentioned that it is necessary to lay down real expectations of difficulties and obstacles that the company might face to avoid employees having false expectations. Leaders should also lift up their people and look for gifts in each person and encourage development of gifts through trust and support.
The luncheon ended with one question remaining to be answered.
"Everyone who encountered Jesus was transformed. No one was the same after meeting Jesus. How are people after they meet you?" Jones asked.
Concordia University will host a larger event on the topic of integrating Christian values into the business marketplace on May 4 at the annual Faith and Business Forum. The Faith and Business Forum will discuss the influence of God in the workplace and highlight Christian business leaders whose lives and careers demonstrate an integration of faith and work.
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