The following are upcoming events for C12 Group ...

 

Charter Group Board Meeting
Thursday, February 26, 2009
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Austin Country Club
 
2009 Spring Leadership Retreat
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Austin Gun Club
8:30 AM to 3:00 PM

 

"Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gifts as you eagerly await for our Lord Jesus to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end..."
1 Corinthians 1:7-8a (NIV)

 

True believers don't 'blend in' very well in our work-a-day world! This was evident with Kevin, a department manager in a major unionized automotive foundry that provided, in many ways, a glimpse of hell on earth. Thousands of cynical, sweaty employees toiled in dimly-lit, dirty and dangerous conditions with molten metal flowing everywhere. One of the oldest and largest such factories in the world, its workforce and management were infamous for their uneasy 'stalemate' riddled with unholy compromise. Somehow, production goals were met in spite of a bustling underground economy featuring prostitution, drugs, gambling, alcohol, stolen goods and money lending.

 

In this hostile environment, Kevin's area stood out due to his surprisingly high standards for cleanliness, quality, safety, language, and mutual respect. Although ridiculed as 'weird,' his peaceful and smiling demeanor comforted many, as he went about his leadership calling while exhibiting a combination of humility and firmness. Many people enjoyed working for him and everyone knew he always would fight for 'what's right' in spite of the odds. Kevin was a Christian in a hostile environment!

 

Compared to Kevin, a mere supervisor, how much more can a Christian Owner/CEO bring a godly influence to their company and the community it serves? It's easy to just get along and make a living while blending into the culture around you. But God has assigned each of us to a specific post of service, entrusting us with much. Has our obedience to this calling, taking small 'risks' each day, resulted in a distinctively Christian company culture?

"Helen owns a ranch north of Austin. She has 600+ acres in the beautiful Hill Country where she raises cattle, trains horses and conducts riding lessons. Helen also leads groups out on trail rides. In the last few years, we've ridden at Helen's place just enough to know we wish we were doing more. We've also become friends with Helen. On one particular ride, I had just gotten in the saddle and was warming up Duke, a big, strong-willed bay.
 
At that point, Helen turned and yelled at me while she was adjusting another rider's saddle, "Andy, soft gloves!" I didn't know what she meant. Several days earlier I had purchases some gloves at Home Depot, per Helen's instructions. What did she mean, "soft gloves?" I didn't know there was a specific type of glove Helen wanted me to get. So I rode over and asked Helen what she meant. Her answer has application to all of us who aspire to be influential leaders. "When I yelled 'soft gloves,'" Helen said, "I didn't mean anything about your specific gloves. What I meant has to do with the way you are directing Duke. You seem like you are trying to convince both you and Duke that you're the boss, and so you are holding the reins too tight, jerking too fast, and yanking too hard. All of this is communicating that you're not sure you are up to riding Duke. What you need is gentle confidence. Soft, but firm. He is looking to you to let him know you are comfortable being in charge and are confident in his strength and abilities. You don't have to tug and yank - you need to have "soft gloves." More confidence and clarity, less jerking and hurting. That's what Duke will respond to.
 
For you to become a better rider, you need to know how to have soft gloves with a strong animal like Duke." 1 Thessalonians  2:7, ". . . we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children." Know your target audience. Who are your most important customers, clients or prospects, and why?

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our Austin and Central Texas Community.

 

For more information about how we can serve you and your business, please contact Gene Ellerbee, Co-Chair at 512-963-4837.