As I wrap up this column, I am sitting in a hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee, preparing to speak to a group of business leaders on communication skills and running a profitable business. The irony of the topic is amazing given my recent reading focus.
I have been thinking about a few verses in the New Testament as we approach what many refer to as Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Matthew 16:24-25 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever would save his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Now there is a lot packed into those two verses.
To be a follower of Jesus (come after me):
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Deny self – in other words do not be self-serving, self-seeking, internally focused
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Take up cross – symbol of death to self and further intensifies the focus on Jesus
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Follow me – Do what Jesus would do, go where Jesus would go – Be like Him
While that’s plenty to pursue, the next verse is what really struck me as I started preparing for this conference.
Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
There’s that word “profit.”
I am conducting a seminar on communication skills and running a profitable business, and yet there is that verse questioning the value of “profit.”
I work with various types of organizations. Some are referred to as “for profit” organizations in that they are tax paying entities established to generate profits for their owners or stockholders. Others are “non-profit” entities, most of which are exempt from taxes, that are established to fulfill a designated purpose (normally serving others in some capacity).
There’s the paradox: Profit or Purpose – Income or Impact
While there appears to be a clear distinction between the two types of organizations, it doesn’t have to be that way. Profit and purpose can coexist. It really comes down to “Priority”!
Non-profit organizations normally have a clear purpose that drives them. They still need funding though to execute their mission. Those that do well have a solid plan to pursue profitable funding, but the focus remains on purpose. The priority is clear!
The “for profit” world is where the disconnect occurs. While many of these organizations have an eloquently worded mission statement on their boardroom wall or website, it has no relevance on the operation. The board of directors generally aren’t asking how the mission is being accomplished at the shareholders meeting. They are talking about profits, not purpose.
Can purpose be the priority within an organization that is designed to make a profit? Can purpose be the priority for a family needing profits to pay the bills?
It’s not a question of what we do, but why we do it. We can pursue excellence, serve others, and generate profits while we pursue a purpose beyond ourselves.
It’s an open-handed generosity to make an impact rather than a tight-fisted clinching of the earnings. It’s growth tied to impact, not an inflated ego. It’s elevating others and stewarding the financial blessing well rather than storing up treasures on earth.
Profit or Purpose – The answer lies in PRIORITY!
Doug equips leaders to make organizations better. He has two leadership books available on all online platforms. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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