Spiritual Enterprise

Greeting and salutations. And yes - I'm still here, although from the lack of posts, one would think that I've fallen off the face of the earth. (And sadly, many of those close in my life, are wondering about my where-abouts as well; both physically and mentally). But in the endearing words of the Whos, living on the spec of Horton's flower: "I AM HERE; I AM HERE; I AM HERE!!!"

Long story short - business has been craaaazzzzyy! Ahh - the business life of a private equity/venture capital/porchlights guy is not all fun and games. Nope. Frankly - there's lots of work (oh whoa is me, right!), and I spend loads of time just reading, riting and doing rithmitic (you know, the three Rs).

That said, we've been doing lots of work within our firm around the idea, and reality, of blending purpose with business; faith with capitalism; making money with doing good. It's one of our core objectives, and if I may, it's pretty cool, and something that I appreciate, and don't take for granted.

You see, one of our goals is to promote "spiritual enterprises." In other words - we want to fund, develop, and encourage companies that embrace the bottom line (i.e. making money), AND, the faith line (i.e. having a higher purpose than just making money). And lest you think the two don't get along - think again. They get along - like warm cookies and cold milk. True!

So you ask, what do you need to have a "spiritual enterprise?" Well, it takes work, and a lot of genuine commitment. That said, there's a nice book by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch titled, "Spiritual Enterprise: Doing Virtuous Business". In it, he lists some key components that are essential for a spiritual enterprise. They are:

1) Honesty (no duh right; but this one's in too short supply).
2) Gratitude (an appreciation for everything, all the time).
3) Perseverance (times can be tuff; but we have to hang in there).
4) Compassion (kinda soft to most execs; but empathy matters).
5) Forgiveness (mistakes happen: onward/upward).
6) Patience (not one of my virtues, but a virtue of big significance).
7) Humility (yes, we can be humble, and still have confidence).
8) Courage (we can't deliver, if we can't get started).
9) Respect (the right respect, for the right reasons).
10) Generosity (to give is better than to receive; give it up!).
11) Discipline (just doing is not good enough; purpose is required).
12) Chastity (this isn't just a sexual thing; its a mind thing too).
13) Thrift (applies to money, and lots of other possible excesses).

No doubt - that's a big list, and a lot of stuff. And yea, it might be hard to fully grasp, let alone embrace, and achieve. But its a good list, and something to think about, and work from.

After all, business just tastes better, when it tastes better.

Spiritual Enterprises Are Good.

To Think or To Feel: That is The Question

Recently, I did the Meyers Briggs and DISC assessments tests. Long explanation short, both tests are designed to help (unemotionally) establish our preferential behaviors when it comes to how we think, act and process: at work, relationships and life.

Now, while some may challenge the validity of these "tests," and have a hard time accepting their "designations," - I for one, dig 'em. I really do. (And not just because they don't require me to drop my drawers, or get stuck with a needle; although I never did get a lollipop!?). Simply put, I like them because they help to analytically establish a proactive appreciation for our own, and others, "processing temperament." More better - they help us establish an empathy that we can use with ourselves (i.e. how and/or how not to react to others treatment/style), as well as an understanding when it comes to others style and/or preferences re: style and preferences.

Make sense? Kinda sorta? Just a little!!?

Here's one great upside from these tests (and frankly, the biggest, most usable take away from what I'm trying to say). And it's all about appreciating the difference between saying "I feel," versus "I think," when starting to explain something to someone.

Check it out: when we're trying to make a point or persuade someone to see something our way, we start with either "I think we should .......," or we start with "I feel we should ...." The fact that we choose one over the other has to do with how we prefer to process input/output: as thinkers or feelers. Get it?

If you do, than ask yourself, which one do you prefer? More importantly, ask yourself which one the other person prefers? Why? Because it matters. If you really want to get someone to see it your way - start with seeing it their way: Are they a "thinker," or a "feeler?" If they are a "thinker," - than start with "I think ..." If they are a "feeler," than start with "I feel."

As simple as this sounds, it works amazingly well. Really. Try it.

I Think AND I Feel Are Both Good.