Commitment and Loyalty

 

One of my illustrations to share with those in my seminars during the discussion of “Commitment” and “Loyalty” is a personal story to make my point and it’s pretty special to talk about it again today with you.

When I  asked my wife to marry me, (thankfully, she said yes!) we began to talk about wedding rings. I bought her a very nice diamond which was an estate piece. She was thrilled with it. When she asks, “what kind of ring do you want?” To my surprise I immediately gave Gina this answer…” I don’t care what the style is, but it should be wide enough for you to take it to a jeweler for him to engrave a short statement inside it.

For the life of me, I don’t know where my response was coming from even as it was coming out of my mouth. I have never heard of anyone else doing it, it just hit me at that moment to give her these instructions.

 “Have the jeweler engrave “I am a servant of Jesus Christ; I am a servant to Gina”.                             (At this point during my speech, all the ladies in the audience go “Ahhhhhhh”)

Every day, and sometimes several times a day I would see that ring on my hand and be reminded of the commitment I made to her and to my Master.

In this throw away and recycling society, loyalty and commitment is an old-fashioned idea. Be it to employees, employers or agreements, people what want they want disregarding an oath or promise they have made.

We live in a world of ME, what I want and what will make ME happy.. Sadly, many people today don’t even get married, they just live with each other and suggest marriage is just a piece of paper. Fathers will walk away from their responsibilities to their children in the pursuit of THEIR happiness. People seem to have no problems walking away from a commitment to God and assume He’ll be ok with it..In almost every case, they are eternally wrong.

So, can we turn this destructive behavior around? Probably not but there are some things we can do individually and corporately.

1.       If homes won’t teach it or model it, “Character” issues should be given to our kids and employees through intentional programs like. “Character Counts” and business ethics programs as reminders of acceptable behavior.

2.       Boys’ clubs, girls’ clubs, sports programs and coaches and mentoring programs with adults who have a life of commitment and loyalty demonstrating what it looks like I real life.

3.       Religion won’t get you to heaven, but all of them have morale principles by which humans can flourish. Get in the habit with your family to attend.

It’s important to remember that this isn’t just about romantic relationships, but about every bond we form in life. Whether it’s with family, friends, colleagues, or even our communities, the values of commitment and loyalty are the glue that holds meaningful relationships together. These values cultivate trust, foster respect, and inspire others to follow by example.

Commitment is not a feeling that comes and goes with convenience; it is an act of will, a conscious decision to honor your word and to stand firm, even when the winds of life grow fierce. Loyalty, in turn, is the shield that protects relationships from the corrosion of doubt and selfishness. When both are practiced together, they create a foundation strong enough to endure the challenges and trials of life.

As I reflect on this, I often think of mentors, leaders, and even historical figures who have embodied these principles. Their legacies remind us that commitment and loyalty are not just personal virtues, but also societal needs. Imagine the difference it would make if more people resolved to be unwavering in their promises and steadfast in their loyalties.

Today is my wedding anniversary. As I woke up this morning thinking of my wife who is now waiting for me in Heaven, I recall the letter she wrote me during her last days on this earth saying, “Don’t be sad because we will be together again someday.” 

I am so very grateful for the assurance of the promise Gina and I shared and that hope we had/have and could rest on. And I’m grateful that by God’s Grace I proved my commitment and loyalty of that statement engraved in my wedding ring so many years ago.

On this anniversary I remember the power embodied through commitment and loyalty to this day as I travel this life’s journey to ………   Finish Well!

Can you summarize your life in 30 Seconds?

 

That was the question a PBS reporter ask several in a “man on the street "interview with people in the NYC area. It’s reported that one Italian construction worker responded, “It started off bad and then got worse”.

I laughed at the answer as I walked with my ear buds in enjoying this podcast as I hiked the quiet country road in the Ozark mountains early this morning.

As I pondered the question, I naturally ask myself, “what would be my answer” to this profound question? Within seconds, I had my answer to as it related to my life. (I’ll share it with you in a moment).

For those who have followed my teaching and writing over the years they have heard me pound the same old drum on the importance of a clearly defined Purpose Statement, i.e. why do you exist, why do you do what you do? I believe it’s critical for companies, couples, families and individuals.

During most of my professional life, I’ve talked about a purpose statement which I developed years ago for my life, business and marriage. They are written down and have been a guide for how I make decisions and provide clarity in communication with those affected in those specific areas of my life.

So with the idea of Purpose stirring in my head, I had to evaluate how I would answer in 30 seconds the summary of my life, business and marriage. And to consider the “summary” statement to my “purpose” statement. How was I doing in alignment of the two?

Honestly, I’m working through my business summary right now. My marriage summary is private since my sweet wife went to heaven a few years ago. But I can tell you, it is a good 30 seconds worth!!!

Now the answer I came up with quickly for my life summary statement was this. (And it came to my mind with no hesitation.) You see, I have a two-part summary of my life. Before I became a committed follower of Jesus Christ (age 48) and then at 49 a brand-new person. This word came to my mind on the road this morning because Paul’s statement matches perfectly my 30 Second Summary

 1 Timothy 1:

"I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.

But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. "

How will you handle Chaos?

I am observing with professional experience and a certain level of amusement the reaction of so many people, countries and organizations to Americas new economic and international trade strategies conducted by the new administration. And, to witness this administrations aggressive attempt to do what they promised they would do if they were elected. 

This is a paradigm shift that has caused great consternation for many but is exaggerated by doomsayers and political enemies who prey on the fears of the uninformed who rely on the opinion of others to determine their own belief i.e. the news media and social media.

The opposition to the President is screaming “He’s creating CHAOS!”.. To which I respond “GREAT!”

Throughout history and in personal human growth, very little happens unless some event or leadership challenges the status quo that creates CHAOS which intern creates new behavior.

 Tom Peters book was published the day of the stock market severe downturn in October 1987..It was called “Black Monday”. The author challenged leadership of organizations to think and act differently if they were to not only going to survive, but “Thrive” in uncertain economic times. Even during Biblical history, challenging the accepted “religious norms” caused leadership of that day to turn to murder in order to tamp down the “Chaos” that threatened their comfortable existence.

“If you’re not in a Crisis, Create one” ..This statement is created to Gary Christensen, former CEO of Pella Corporation, to create a sense of urgency. When do we tend to be most “on top of our game”? When there is a challenge…an obstacle to overcome…a new market to be fastest into…a threat to our existence. If you get complacent that things are going well, “create crisis” to work on the next big thing. Edward Deming helped change the Japanese economic landscape with the steps for transformation explained in his writing “Out of Crisis”.

In my next writings I will be discussing the beauty of Uncertainty, and it’s benefit to personal and organizational growth..Until then, I will be cheering the Chaos that has the potential to make consequential growth and flourishing not only for America, but for the world.

Think what the present administration in America is doing is bad?

Consider the alternative.

I've used this graphic in my teaching sessions since the early '90's. This is where America was heading. For too long we have been a debtor nation with policies established after WWII. We have allowed the world to take advantage of us. Our kindness and well-meaning appeasement policies.

But you can't buy friends or loyalty. It's true in your home, business and government policies.

FINALLY, we have a group who are interested in protecting the U.S. rather than appeasing the world who has taken advantage of your goodness for too long.

For years we've heard politicians use the old worn-out term "kicking the can down the road". We now have a leader who has enough courage to take action rather than talk about the problem.

16 Things That Live In My Head Rent Free, As I Strive To "Finish Well"

 

When I reached the stage of my life when most people retire, I made a conscious decision to use the God given gifts, opportunities and resources given to “re-direct” my life. As an entrepreneur, I’ve always kind of gone out on my own, not always clear of where it would take me, but convinced I didn’t want to stay where I was..
1.      Fear does not stop death; it keeps you from living.
2.      If it cost you your peace, it’s too expensive
3.      People only see the decisions you’ve made, not the choices you had.
4.      Never take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.
5.      The magic you’re seeking is in the work your avoiding.
6.      Ships are safe in the harbor, but that’s not what they were built for.
7.      Ambition without action turns into anxiety.
8.      To live a life most people don’t, they must be willing to do what most people won’t.
9.      I can do anything, but not everything—I must focus on purpose and my giftedness.
10.  If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone.
11.  Those who don’t move will never see what’s holding them in chains.
12.  It’s ok to live a life most people don’t understand. God said many will view it as “foolishness”.
13.  If someone could only see your actions and not hear your words, what would they say your priorities are?
14.  You can’t have a new reality with an old mind-set.
15.  No risk, no story
16. Plus ONE…I may not always be successful, but the one thing I know (in all matters of my life) God promised
“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." - Deuteronomy 31:6-8


(acknowledgement of points presented in part and edited from jayyanginspires)

How Much Do You Want To Cut?

 

It was said once that “Change is painful. Few people have the courage to seek out change. Most people won’t change until the pain of where they are exceeds the pain of change.” Change management is hard. Leading Change Management is harder.

I’ve spent my professional life walking with organizations through the “change management” process. I know first-hand the behavior of critics, the nay-sayers, the doubters and those who find the prospect of change very unsettling. I’ve consulted with many CEO’s and managers concerning the “process” of change management through our Continues Improvement Process. Many of them like the idea, but once the process begins, the change of THINKING and change of BEHAVIOR becomes unbearable for them and they retreat back to the way things were because it’s comfortable, it’s what they know and what feels good to them.

So, with a complete knowledge and experience with the process, I witness what President Trump is doing now in “draining the swap” and the resistance he’s facing rings very familiar to me. Many people who are in love with the status-quo will behave as if the sky is falling.
It’s not.
And it won’t.
Will things be different..You bet..
Will there be short term bumps in the road..Always!
I have the highest regard for those leaders who stuck with it during the rough times of the process and who endured the criticism and scoffing. These leaders are few and far between.
No pain….No story!

 

 

   

  Do YOU or Your Company need a shot of DOGE?

The idea that there is (finally) a concentrated effort by government officials in our country to get our financial house in order is amazing to me. Many will discount Trump and Musk just because it’s them who are taking action against a problem that Republicans and Democrats have ignored for years, but a least their doing something!

 The fact is, the well-being of my kids and grandkids has already been negatively affected because of wasteful spending and debt. INTEREST on our national debt will soon be the 2^nd largest line item expenditure of our country we (the tax payer) will have to pay, which means less money for other more important things. Already, the dream of owning a home is unattainable for many young people because of inflation along with high interest rates. If something is not done, the standard of living of those readers of this article in their 20’s’ and 30’s will never reach the level of those older readers, and sadly, many of them will have to work until they die or live a sub-standard existence because of their unhealthy financial choices along with incompetent politicians.

 Poor financial habits are not unique to the government. Governments like companies are made up of people. And many of those people are “financial pygmies”. This is not my first writing on the subject. You can go to my blog site and read for yourself. But rather than look at DOGE, let’s get personal, shall we? We’ll call it DOOE and DOYE

Company DOOE or Department of Organizational Efficiency

As a management consultant, I’ve had the opportunity to guide organizations in the area of “cost awareness” and through a focused process they not only are making more money, in addition they’ve realized substantial profit.

As a student of guys like Milton Friedman, Phil Crosby, Edward Demming and others I’ve guided companies to identify the two major areas of financial understanding.

1.       EC/Error Cost

2.       COI/Cost of Improvement.

Error Cost is “The cost of doing things wrong” e.g. rework, scrap, billing errors, waste etc. Most experts in the field agree that 25% of sales dollars in manufacturing firms have this level of Error Cost. For service industries it could be as large as 50% of their operating budget. That’s a huge amount of money and lost opportunity.

 On the flip side is the Cost of Improvement which is the cost of doing things Right… such as buying new equipment, investment in technology, training of employees etc.

Individual DOYE Department of YOU Efficiency

Our educations systems have done an extremely poor job of educating our kids on financial management or understanding. Sadly, parents have not done too well in this area in part because they never really knew the basic principles of money discipline. That’s why I’m a big proponent of company education in this area. Financially healthy employees will help make a healthy organization they work for.

Dave Ramsey a famous financial advisor says, “Rich people ask, “How Much Does it Cost?” Poor people ask, “How much is my monthly payment?”

The average credit card debt in the US is over $8K.. A minimum payment of $213.00 per month will take you 23 years to be clear of that burden..The average household debt is over $104K.

Most of the crippling debt is avoidable, but our society has encouraged spending. One credit card company advertising slogan is “Take the waiting out of wanting” in other words, “Don’t deprive your self of what you want! You deserve it! So put it on your card!” Enjoy now, pay later….

What must you do for a successful DOOE or my DOYE?

1.       Begin to educate yourself on financial matters (Youtube is a remarkable resource)

2.       Do an EC/COI analysis in your company or personal financial accounts

3.       Seek a financial advisor if necessary. (not a life coach, this no time for feel good, it’s time for serious discipline)

4.       Develop a plan…

5.       GET STARTED. It will feel uncomfortable at first, but most sacrifices do.

6.       Achieve financial independence at the earliest opportunity. It will give you freedom you never imagined.

I was blessed to be raised by a guy who taught me good work ethics and financial discipline. I’ve been blessed to help many organizations become profitable so I know it can be done.

 One of the issues in my “purpose statement” for business is to help them “get it” and to help organizations become successful. It’s all part of my quest to Honor God in what I do as I strive to

 Finishing Well!