2019 Corporate Verse
B. Keith Chapman, President & CEO
2019 Corporate Verse: I Peter 4:10, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
Reading a verse or inspirational quote can be impactful for a moment. However, to experience long term benefits, one must figure out how to infuse the core principle into daily practice. Corporate verses should be more than just words that are read once and then discarded as a good thought. They should be closely aligned with the organization’s core values and used to drive behavior throughout the year. The practice of identifying, sharing and implementing such principles helps establish expectations and influence people both inside and outside of our organizations.
The principle of I Peter 4:10 seems relatively basic in its application. First, it is clear that each one of us has been given a gift. Not all of us have the same gift and talent. We are all unique with different interests, talents, and desires. As such, knowing your gifts and talents is truly the first step in maximizing your success. This concept plays a major role in the long-term success of organizations. Putting the right people in the right positions should be a critical focus in any organization. I often say in interviews, that the decision to work with our organization is just as important as our decision to hire you. If either side is out of balance, it will result in a premature end to the business relationship. It has long been proven that aligning your gifts and talents to your occupation is a major contributor to happiness in the workplace. Do you know what areas you are gifted in? If so, are you using your gifts and talents regularly in your personal and professional life?
The verse goes on to explain that while the gift was given to us individually, we are to use it to serve one another. In fact, it specifically says use it “well.” H. Jackson Brown Jr. once said, “Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others.” When the focus of our life is our personal benefit and individual success, we significantly limit our capability and span of influence. When we focus on serving others, our opportunities are endless and the scope of our success is much greater. Serving others is more than just providing good customer service. It is serving your internal and external stakeholders, family and friends using your God-given gifts and talents. Can you imagine for a moment an organization where each employee operated in a position that highlighted their individual gifts and talents, and each one having the mindset of service? That is the recipe for a powerful team that has no limits on its capability.
If you take a minute to think about the people you work with, I am sure you can think of at least one person that is a great contributor to your organization. Managers would say they would like to clone this individual because of the value they add each and every day. Now think about what makes this person so successful. I am sure that it will come back to two things: their gifts and talents complement their responsibilities; and they have a service mindset. Your place on the organizational chart or your title is not a proper measurement of success. Your ability to influence, lead and serve is a much better measurement of your contributions and overall success.
Challenge: Know and understand your gifts and talents. Apply them daily in all aspects of your life. Develop a mindset of service. Focus more on others and their success than on your accomplishments.
Published: February 2019
