Business Principles From Rick Warren

Many of you will recognize Rick Warren's name as the author of The Purpose Driven Life, and the founder & pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. After I first read the book 4 years ago, I became increasingly interested in the man, his values, and what he had accomplished.

Last November, while attending a BMI Meeting in Southern California, I made it a point to go to a service at Saddleback, and to meet and talk with Rick. What I saw and felt, was not only an incredible spiritual experience, but a well oiled machine that Peter Drucker would envy. Rick, in addition to being one of the most humble, "successful" people I have ever met, is a wonderful marketeer, coach, and manager.

This week, I am attending the Small Groups Seminar at Saddleback. There are several hundred people here from 41 states and 16 countries learning how to lead their churches in sharing their faith, trust, and to grow together as Christians. The content is solid and has so many lessons, business & personal, as well as spiritual, that I decided to write my blogs this week on the conference.

Since this is a business blog, I will not comment as much on the spiritual as on the business lessons to be learned. This will no doubt disappoint Rick, but you and he should know that all you need to do is ask me about my faith, and I will be happy to share it with you!

OK, what have we learned so far? The biggest point is that growth is not random. It is planned. It is a process. It starts with a vision and a mission. A vision of the mission is a projection into the future by the brain, which then blends it with emotion, heart and compassion.

But how we do what we do is critical. A list of values is therefore developed to evaluate how we conduct ourselves. Things such as risk taking, diversity, teamwork, authenticity, and humor are examples. When these interact with the blended vision, the conscience is activated.

Balance is most important. No one, or no one thing, should occupy most of the time (in business meetings or when sharing one's faith). Positive growth only occurs in a healthy, maturing, and balanced way. If steps is this process are circumvented, then poor outcomes result and the consequences must be paid.

An interesting point was made that plants don't bear fruit until they are mature. Maturation often involves struggles. The tomato plants in my garden won't blossom and bear fruit until they've experienced growth, probably some stress, and mature. The Northern Spy apple tree doesn't bear apples until it is 16 years old!

We don't bear fruit until we grow as people. Babies first walk, and then they learn to talk. Then adolescence and puberty kick in. Wow! As much as we may want to rush it, all of us must go through the process.

How mature are you & your people in the workplace? How much and what kind of fruit are you bearing?

Stay tuned; more tomorrow.