Business Politics and Believers - The Balance

This has been such a tough topic for me over the years in business. As I completed my Business studies, I had the opportunity to study different types of business leaders. One of those types was Politic Centric Leaders. Meaning, leaders who leverage and rely on politics to make gains in business. At first, I thought this was ludicrous. I thought that even classifying a leadership style based solely on politics was absurd, and grossly unfair.

Then, I started thinking about my own business leadership styles. I started looking at the role of "politics" in business. I realized quickly, that "politics" are a necessary leadership characteristic for all business leaders, including Believers in Business.

Lets define Politics. Politics to me are not back stabbing, cut-throat, lies that we tell about others to tear them down. Politics, in this case, are actions taken that consider either solely or mostly the response of another individual. They also consider levels of authority and influence.

Leadership has often been defined as INFLUENCE. What is influence? Well . . . maybe business politics are part of influence. And as a Believer, Christ called me to be "shrewed as snakes". Meaning, dont be a whimp, and clearly dont be ignorant. For me to INFLUENCE others, I must consider their authority, their power, their perspective, their position, and their whole take on the situation. In doing so, I may being playing "politics", as some have defined them.

Any thoughts on Believers right to utilize Business Politics?

The Holiday Season and Business Leadership

I have the amazing opportunity to sit in the top executives from none other than the Gap. Can you imagine my embarassment as I had to sit in a meeting where we discussed the influx of "merry christmas vs. happy holidays" emails and their impact on our ability to service our normal customers? So called Christians are emailing their thoughts and "disgust" about Gap not saying Merry Christmas, inundating our email boxes with garbage, causing frustration on the part of both the customer service consultatns and the management.

So -what did so-called Christians accomplish by vocalizing their disappointment with Happy Holidays? Exactly the opposite of what Christ has called us to do. I had top executives look at me, as they know I am a Christian, as if to say "what are your people doing?". And I just want to say to any of the emailers out there trying to "add Christ back to Christmas"... you failed miserably in this case.

You turned people away from the love of Christ and annoyed them with your insensitive, inpersonal, annoying emails.

Lets think about this for one second. Do Christians run the Gap? I dont think its the majority. So - why in the world would they want to say "Merry Christmas" any more than they would want to say "Happy Hannukah"? If you want to have debates with people, then have it with one another, where you might expect a Christian to remember Christ during the holidays. But stop expecting those who have not experienced yet the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to act as if they have. Our job - love on them, be a light, show them something they dont normally get during Christmas -maybe patience, kindness, goodness, self-control.

Or, as many "Christians" have done, inundate secular work groups with silly emails, cuasing more workload for already stressed out workers. Im sure that will get them to convert, come to church, and repent for saying "Merry Winter" or "Happy Holidays".

Lets just say... "Merry Happy Chrisma, Rama, Hanna, Quanaka"