John’s Personal Belief System
I have been Blessed! I cannot even begin to count all of the ways. They are far too many to name. Suffice it to say, I have been blessed through many, many experiences, some that have been very enjoyable and others that have been very trying and hard and yet, both have taught me so very much about life, myself and others. I have especially been blessed by people, again, far too many to even begin to name, some from my early childhood, others during the formative teen years, yet others throughout the course of adulthood. Family, friends, colleagues, business associates, clients, suppliers, vendors and some, just people I had the great privilege of meeting briefly along the way. Blessed by so many in so many ways!
It is my aim in life to do the same for others whenever and wherever possible. The knowledge, principles, insights and experiences that I share in my work as a professional speaker, author, consultant and business advisor are the result of all of my life experiences, but especially the past 30+ years involved in business internationally as an employee, consultant to other businesses and as a business owner. During this time, I have come to recognize my own strengths and weaknesses and to value very highly the contributions of my staff, colleagues and business associates. I have also learned the benefit of good character among business associates and have personally paid the price when it was found lacking. It is my desire to assist others in the marketplace by passing on the truths that I have learned and am continuing to learn with each new day. In many cases, I have learned these truths the hard way and it is my desire to help others learn them in an easier way, through my experience rather than through their own. It is my desire to help other leaders do their jobs more effectively and with greater joy.
I believe that good leaders choose to uphold high ethical standards simply because it is the right thing to do. It is important, however, to understand that there are fundamental reasons for moral behavior which superseded the mere pragmatics of what works in the marketplace. Indeed it would be inappropriate for me to offer only practical solutions, without ever disclosing here to our clients and potential clients, the basis that underlies and forms a firm foundation for the beliefs and experiences that have shaped my thinking. I am a Christian. I believe in the tenets set forth by the Apostle’s Creed, the oldest creed in the church. It begins: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord…” Faith in God and Biblical principles has given me deeper purpose to everything I do.
My greatest lessons have come from the life of Christ. Here we encounter true servant leadership quietly carried out on the dusty roads of everyday life—real people with real problems meeting Jesus and His Ultimate example of “doing what’s right.” Here we witness the antithesis of self-aggrandizement and self-serving ambition.
I believe that leaders in all spheres, corporate, government, nonprofit and church, who determine to do what is right can achieve success through significance and by doing so leave an honorable and enduring legacy. Striving for moral excellence will not ensure an easy or smooth road to success, but it has been my experience, proven over and over again, that God never fails to come to our aid in times of need.
