Leadership

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What’s in it for me? This question is a natural response to the thousands of incoming messages we receive daily from family, radio, TV, bosses and countless others. The problem with this type of response is that it propagates single generation thinking. The focus is strictly on what rewards and benefits we will receive personally from the decisions we make.

Consider the Great Wall of China. It was the vision of the Chinese Emperor in 221 BC. It took 1771 years to complete and is the only man made structure that can be seen from outer space with the naked eye. Consider how the vision of this wall of protection had to be transfered down hundreds of generations. It required passing down a vision of protection and security and the skills, tools and resources to build the wall.

In America we have embraced very selfish thinking and have an appetite for quick microwave results. We seek quick bold strokes and stay away from long enduring marches. This single generation attitude impacts the decisions we make and the outcomes we produce. According to the Woodside Institute the average lifespan of a company in the United States is 37 years, basically one workingman’s lifetime. Our business goals and visions are too “me” focused and lack the ring of multi-generational destiny.

Business’ would benefit from looking at the multi-generation decision making at the oldest company in the world, Kongo Gumi, which has been building Temples since 578. The vision of constructing houses of worship is the vision that has been transfered from one generation to the next, which involves passing the relationships with the customer and knowledge of how to operate the business and solve problems through hundreds of generations.

God gave us an example of multi generational thinking with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham had to father the vision and communicate the vision, Isaac had to die to his own selfish desires and agree to carry the torch through the next generation and finally Jacob saw the vision completed. The success of multigenerational thinking involves 3 key steps. 1) Know the vision- How? By inheriting the vision and receiving the father’s heart, his intent and motivation for the vision. 2) Know how to relate to one another. All business is relational and understanding that relationships precede production is key to success. 3) Know the importance of co-laboring and authority training. Understanding accountability, how to handle authority and pass it on is very important to multi-generational thinking. Working alongside each other and solving problems together is the best way to transfer insight, understanding and motivation.

Adopting multi-generational thinking requires a shift from prioritizing quarter to quarter financial measures, to measuring milestones toward accomplishing a vision. When making decisions we can no longer stop at simply asking what is in it for me, we need to start asking what is in it for my family and business for generations to come.

To learn more about how to run your business according to biblical principles contact Kelly Mc Dermott at www.advisoar.com .

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