Podcast: Replacing Balance With Integration

Jun 11, 2024

CEOs and other high-level executives have a higher rate of burnout than the general workforce. And considering their long list of responsibilities, that makes sense.

We all know the airline safety advice to put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others. It’s a concept that applies just as well to leadership as flying the friendly skies. Yet it can feel impossible to find that kind of time outside the non-stop juggling acts, plate spinning, and balancing games.

If that’s how you feel, here’s a thought you should consider: What if the key isn’t balance at all, but integration?

Meet Mike Sharrow, CEO and president of C12 Business Forums. He and his team help CEOs build great businesses under a “Business as a Ministry” model. Based in San Antonio, Texas, they support a global force of 200 full-time C12 chairs who serve over 4,100 Christian CEOs, owners, and executives across four continents.

Mike has years of both business and pastoral experience, including scaling up a managed care subsidiary of Walgreens, leading a startup financial planning business, pastoring a local church, and starting multiple NGOs. He also served as a C12 chair in the San Antonio and Austin markets, serving over 130 leaders through monthly peer advisory groups.

Listen in as Mike and host Mark Griffin discuss a model for faithfulness and flourishing that allows executives to unlock an abundant life. Learn how to foster thriving workplace environments by assisting your leaders in achieving high performance. Discover frameworks and guiding concepts that can enable higher levels of employee engagement and productivity, corporate performance, and overall enthusiasm in any industry.

Mark A. Griffin | Christian Higher Ed HR, Human Resources, Podcasts

Podcast: Use Your Manual to Align Your Leadership with the Word of God

Jun 4, 2024

The American Bible Society helps people experience God through the Bible. With partners around the world, they help translate the Bible, distribute the Bible, engage people with the Bible, and advocate for the Bible’s message of hope here in America and globally.

Through the Church and a global network of local Bible societies, ABS carries the gospel message where it is needed most. Research and experience tell us the Bible makes us more generous, more compassionate, more loving toward our neighbors, and more hopeful about our future in Christ.

That’s why their mission since 1816 has been to help all people experience the life-changing message of God’s Word.

Meet Jennifer Holloran, president and CEO of the American Bible Society. Jennifer is passionate about ensuring her organization exceeds expectations. In this episode of Encouragement for Work, learn how to Use Your Manual to Align Your Leadership with the Word of God. Listen in as you learn these three keys to organizational leadership success.

1. Know Your Role as Aligner

As the leader of your organization, God has placed you in a position of responsibility to align the direction of your organization with God’s will. As followers of Christ, we do not work from the assumption that we know best.

Proverbs 3:5-6 GNT: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.

Where do we start? Surrendering our own desires for the future to Him. Then, discerning His will and conforming yourselves and our organizations to it.

James 4:13-15 GNT: Now listen to me, you that say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money.” You don’t even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. What you should say is this: “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

Romans 12:2 GNT: Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

2. Know Your Role as Shepherd

As the leader of your organization, God has given you responsibility to care for a certain portion of His flock – those who work under your leadership, but also those who are beneficiaries of the work that your organization does. God’s Word provides clear direction about what it means (and what it doesn’t mean) to serve in a shepherding role.

Mark 10:42-45 GNT: So Jesus called them all together to him and said, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority. This, however, is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest, and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.

In fact, the Bible breaks it down even further for us:

1 Peter 5:1b-4 GNT: I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious crown which will never lost its brightness.

3. Know Your Role as Chief Steward

Finally, as leaders, God has given us an important responsibility of stewardship for all that has been entrusted to us. We will be held accountable for how we steward our organizations and the resources God has given us. Matthew 25 illustrates how that wonderful that accountability can be when we are faithful:

Matthew 25:21 GNT: ‘Well done, you good and faithful servant!’ said his master. ‘You have been faithful in managing small accounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!’

Matthew also shows us what happens when we are not faithful:

Matthew 25:26-28 GNT: ‘You bad and lazy servant!’ his master said. ‘You knew, did you, that I reap harvests where I did not plant, and gather crops where I did not scatter seed? Well, then, you should have deposited my money in the bank, and I would have received it all back with interest when I returned. Now, take the money away from him and give it to the one who has ten thousand coins.’

The bottom line if we want to be good stewards?

Luke 12:42-43 GNT: The Lord answered, “Who, then, is the faithful and wise servant? He is the one that his master will put in charge, to run the household and give the other servants their share of the food at the proper time. How happy that servant is if his master finds him doing this when he comes home!

The Bible has even more incredible wisdom to shape how we lead, if we will take the time to use the manual we’ve been given. When we align our leadership with the Word of God, we have put ourselves on the path to true effectiveness and satisfaction of a job well done.

Learn more about HR best practices as Mark interviews Jennifer about emerging HR practices post-pandemic, helping you to develop high performance in the workplace.

Mark A. Griffin | Christian Higher Ed HR, Human Resources, Podcasts

Give Your Employees a Hope and a Future

Oct 12, 2020

Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)  ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,  plans to give you hope and a future.”

I believe that, in today’s tumultuous times, we must remain diligent in our obligations as Christian leaders.  Now, more than ever, Christian leaders must acknowledge that employees want, need and crave an environment in which they can be not only productive but trust that their leadership is attempting to provide them and their family stability, a “hope and a future.”

We must remain diligent in our obligations as Christian leaders.

So what about you? What are you doing to demonstrate to your employees that you are setting the foundation for tomorrow’s growth?  Are you giving them hope and a future?  If you do this, if you honor your employees by properly managing your organization and lighting a path to their future, you will be creating a “Kingdom Minded” organization.”

What have you witnessed in your workplace that has created a culture of creativity, inclusiveness and productivity?  Please share your thoughts and help our community learn from your experiences.

Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Christian Higher Ed HR, Inspiration

Lead Employees to Excellence

Mar 6, 2019

Yes, it’s possible for you to lead employees to excellence at work, home and in their communities.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~Ephesians 2:10

A valuable part of leading sustainable for-profit organizations is introducing your employees to community relations. Part of leading people is developing them to be the best they can be, not only in the workplace but within their families and communities as well.

Look at your people from a whole person perspective—they’re far more than just “workers.” Provide your people the opportunity to do good works, to achieve greatness in their lives, and they will do great things for you. Developing your people’s skills, both in and outside the company, can positively impact the communities in which they live and you do business.

Encourage your people to be their best in every aspect of their lives.

Many organizations now put programs in place that help match employees’ interests to community volunteer opportunities. Some organizations shut down for an entire week to help build homes with Habitat for Humanity, for example. What do you do? What more can you do?

Imagine an organization that inspired their people by running a contest where each employee participated by demonstrating how their volunteer organization is the most impactful. The prize? The winner would receive a considerable reward to help fund their efforts.  This article provides a great deal of information on what Elexio has done to encourage employees to look far outside their own communities.

If you are promoting good works performed by your employees, not only in the workplace but also in the world we live in, you are doing great things for God. You are building a “Kingdom-Minded” Organization.

Help our community of readers

Do you have HR practices that support these ideals? Do you help your employees help others? How do you find your employees’ strengths and match them to community involvement? Share your ideas and inspire fellow readers. We would love to know how you encourage your people to shine.

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Mark Griffin is founder and Chief Consultant at In His Name HR LLC. He has over 20 years of HR experience.  You can learn more about his recently published book for College Students, College to Career: The Student Guide to Career and Life Navigation HERE.  Follow Mark on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Mark A. Griffin | Christian Higher Ed HR, Human Resources, Kingdom Company Building

How To Learn from Employee Turnover

Jun 6, 2018

Why are people leaving your organization?

My client’s eyes glazed over when I asked her this. She didn’t know why more than 13 percent of her workforce left every year – and hadn’t even thought about figuring out the reasons.

In my experience, most organizations fail to document why people leave.

If they do conduct exit interviews, they often don’t probe deeply enough. Or, they fail to effectively learn from their findings and implement change for the better.

How to Keep People

According to The Wall Street Journal, by the time a talented worker has decided to leave, it’s probably too late to make the necessary improvements to keep them. But, finding out why people aren’t staying with your organization is critical to your future success, especially in tough economic times.

Keeping competent employees is one of the best ways to save your organization a lot of money and keep a cohesive and healthy workplace culture. The high cost of hiring and training employees warrants that you learn from what isn’t working, every time.

There are several reasons why people leave.  In previous articles we have discussed many.  One area that continues to gain attention is organizational vision or lack thereof. Make sure your vision is properly integrated within your HR programs.  Employees need to be part of it and understand where you are going.  A recent article from Barnard Marr on CNBC.com cites “No Vision” as being a leading cause of turnover.  I agree.  Most employees want a hope and a future and a great vision that is bought in by all helps create energy in the workplace.

So, appreciate the rich source of information that a good exit interview brings!

A good exit interview finds out these three (3) things:

• What the work climate is really like?
• Whether and how are your managers are failing.
• What’s missing?

Do your employees get what they really need to do well? If people are leaving too frequently, it’s time to find out why.

Make sure your exit interview includes these three (3) questions:

• When did you realize you wanted to leave?
• Did you and your manager set goals and objectives together?
• How often did you receive helpful feedback from your leadership?

Ending Well

First, conduct your exit interview with a spirit of grace and graciousness. Your concern and honest inquiry into the reasons your employee is leaving will yield valuable insights if you put them at ease. This is where your core values come in.

Second, remember to set up an exit interview at a time designed to give you the best information. Don’t rush in at the last minute, just before your employee’s departure, or try to get information after they’ve already moved on.

Finally, wish the employee well in their new endeavor. At some point, they may want to come back. If they feel cared for during this last important experience, they will know that the door is still open. Losing a talented employee is disappointing, but it might be redeemed if they happily return in the future.

Have you used exit interviewing before? Please take a few moments and tell our community of readers your experience.

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In His Name HR helps organizations build high performance Human Resources programs. Visit them at In HIS Name HR or e-mail them here.

Mark A. Griffin is the founder and chief consultant of In His Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Christian Higher Ed HR

Four Top Reasons Talented People Quit Their Jobs

May 9, 2018

The economy has been changing rapidly over the past several months. Now more than ever employees are starting to look at their career options.   Turnover issues transcend all profit and non profit organizations.

In my 25-plus-year career in human resources, I’ve noticed that, while people will endure fewer amenities and less pay, there are three reasons skillful workers will leave to another job:

(1) No progress

When employees sense no potential for career progress, or leaders are unaware that advancement is important, they look for better options.

(2) Feeling unappreciated

When employees receive little or no gratitude for their contributions, it’s demoralizing — they seek more rewarding work elsewhere. The biggest surprise? Many times, during exit interviews, departing employees disclose that a simple, verbal “thank you” would have made them feel sufficiently appreciated.

(3)  Sheer Boredom

Without savvy leaders or a solid idea of the big picture (Vision), employees don’t see concrete, interesting ways to contribute outside of the ordinary scope of their jobs. Things grow tedious and employees hunt for new challenges to make work feel more meaningful.

So, while you might think your employees desire high pay, a corner office, or a cushy benefits package, the truth is that the best employees are satisfied with simpler, more personal benefits.

Be thoughtful — find out what motivates your employees! This simple investment will ensure improved worker retention, enhanced overall morale, and increased organizational loyalty. And isn’t that what you really want?

Action Steps

What can you do as an employer right now to keep your best employees? This article provides some great ideas.

One more thing…what’s the Surprising New Reason People Quit?

Forbes magazine reveals a new reason spiking among employees who quit:

The Final Reason (4) –  Not enough flexibility for work-life balance

Not long ago this reason primarily concerned mothers, but now both men and women will leave pay increases and promotions behind to have a manageable work schedule that doesn’t crowd out the rest of life.

Keep in mind that, as a new generation of workers comes of age and/or starts having children, many will value fulfilling connections with family and friends above a full workload. Climbing the workplace ladder is simply not as important to young workers today as in prior generations. Many are talented and capable, but will choose a desirable work-life balance over monetary or organizational rewards.

So, if you are concerned with retaining talented employees while also saving time and money in hiring and training costs, remember these Top 4 Reasons and the new trend that makes talented people quit. It could make keeping great people you need much easier.

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In His Name HR helps organizations build high performance Human Resources programs. Visit them at In HIS Name HR or e-mail them here.

Mark A. Griffin is the founder and chief consultant of In His Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Christian Higher Ed HR

Mistakes Organizations Make When Establishing Core Values

Feb 27, 2018

Today, we build on the two previous posts, on creating Mission and Vision Statements by discussing Core Values and creating your organization’s Value Statement, which completes the triad.

When organizations desire to perform at the highest level, they leverage three (3) commitments—three commitments that set the stage for overall efficiency, growth, and prosperity.

• Mission Statement
• Vision Statement
• Core Values Statement

Core Values focus on how you run your organization and interact with customers and suppliers. Not everyone possesses the same core values, so it’s important for an organization to stress what theirs are to employees, vendors, and customers at the onset of hiring, doing business, or providing a service.

Take this example: Facebook started out in a dorm room and, in just ten years, grew to having 1.23 billion monthly users, about one-sixth of the entire world’s population. To celebrate that accomplishment, Mark Zuckerberg expressed how a Core Value guided them along the way:

“…We just cared more about connecting the world than anyone else. And we still do today.”

With its expressed Value of caring, Facebook is guided toward their vision and mission of accomplishing bigger and more important goals. It is yet to be seen whether Facebook will be foiled by one of the 5 very common mistakes we are about to explore here.

Mistake # 1: Being too vague

Your Core Values should be both meaningful and easy to understand. So, if caring is a core value, what does “caring” really mean? Your Value statement should flesh this out in a simple and powerful way. Zuckerberg outlined his 5 Core Values as “The Hacker Way.”

 Mistake # 2: Lack of accountability

Your Core Values must be built into your performance management process or the oversight to ensure success will be sorely absent.

Mistake # 3: Creating too many Values

By limiting this list to reflect only your highest priorities, your core Values will be focused and accountability will increase.

It’s tempting to make a long list of Values that you think are important; however, when you keep the number to about three or four key items, you make enacting them easier and more likely.

Mistake # 4: Failing to share core Values with prospective employees

Potential employees should know how things work and what it’s like at your organization from the start. When someone does not subscribe to your Values, don’t hire them.

Mistake # 5: Not including a core Values preface statement

Some core Values can end up seeming disingenuous or hypocritical once mistakes are made. The best way to inoculate your organization from this is to disclose that possibility up front.

Include a preface statement like this:

“Although we strive for perfection, we sometimes miss the mark. When we do, we apologize and work to improve as we move forward. The following is a list of the values we strive to maintain.”

Your students, instructors, vendors, customers, and employees will appreciate your honesty and be more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt, should problems arise.

Core Value Statements are crucial to the culture of your organization and shouldn’t be taken lightly. The best way to ensure that your trio of Mission, Vision, and Value Statements will succeed is to ensure they are integrated into all you do from an HR perspective.

By avoiding the common mistakes and using top-notch methods, you’ll ensure that employees can achieve your Mission and Vision by adhering to the core Values most important to your organization. A high-performing organization is one that can last and even thrive in tough economic times. It must by guided carefully using processes that ensure consistency and stability through the Values you hold most dear.

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In His Name HR helps organizations build high performance Human Resources programs. Visit them at In HIS Name HR or e-mail them here.

Mark A. Griffin is the founder and chief consultant of In His Name HR LLC. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Mark A. Griffin | Christian Higher Ed HR

Live2Lead American Music Theatre Lancaster PA

Aug 31, 2016

In HIS Name HR is proud to sponsor Live2Lead, a half-day leadership development simulcast designed to equip you with new perspectives, practical tools and key takeaways.

Use the code ‘Human’ to receive $15 off the individual ticket price
Teams of 10 or more enjoy a discount without the need for a special code.

Friday October 7th, 2016  || Live Simulcast from 8:00am — 12:30pm Tickets available at American Music Theatre: Tickets Here

Live2Lead is a half-day simulcast, leader development experience designed to equip you with new perspectives, practical tools and key takeaways. Learn from these world-class leadership experts, be prepared to implement a new action plan, and start leading when you get back to the office with renewed passion and commitment.

This year’s speakers include:

JOHN C. MAXWELL
Leadership expert, bestselling author, and coach

SIMON SINEK
Optimist and author, leadership authority

LIZ WISEMAN
Researcher, executive advisor, speaker, and President of the Wiseman Group

DAN CATHY
Chairman, President, and CEO of Chick-fil-A

Lunch will be sponsored by Chick-fil-A!

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!  Register now, seats are limited.

WHEN Friday, October 7, 2016 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM (EDT)

Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Events

Encouragement At Work Series, The Danger of the Weakest Link

Feb 6, 2015

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

Proverbs 21.25 (NIV)

One of the most difficult aspects of being a Christian leader is disciplining those who are not pulling their weight. Many weak leaders will ignore the behavior or even have one of their other direct reports try to intervene. Not addressing the weakest link, can destroy a team.

Employee performance issues are an inevitable part of the workplace.

Do you know a leader who will do almost anything possible to avoid having to face the disciplining of the rogue employee? We all have met many leaders who lack the fortitude to lead! Poor performers are sometimes an inevitable part of the workplace and, as a Christian leader; you are called not only by the organization but also by the word of God to manage them. Now, don’t use this as a way to tell them the Bible told you so, but you understand the point. Be brave, leader; know that your motivated employees, your stars, want to see you manage the poor performer. You owe it to them.

Be passionate and direct and manage those who are hurting your organization and you will be ensuring that you are building the strong foundation of a ‘Kingdom Minded” Organization.

Help our community of readers

Have you encountered a poor performer at work? How did you address the situation? What was the outcome? Help our reader community by sharing your experiences.

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Mark Griffin is founder and Chief Consultant at In His Name HR LLC. Mark writes extensively on career and human resources related topics.  Mark  has over 20 years of HR experience.  Want to bring Bible based practical HR programs to your workplace?  Contact Mark today to see how his firm may help you:   Contact 

Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Inspiration

The Outrigger Experience for Marketplace and Ministry Leaders Greenville, SC January 23-24, 2015

Nov 25, 2014

Why the name Outrigger?

If you are hoping for different results for your organization, but are stuck doing the same things over and over again…Outrigger is for you.

If your organization is looking for answers, you will find them at Outrigger.

Our presenters are exceptional.   The fellowship and iron-sharpening-iron that you will experience during our round table discussions will strengthen you and your organization.

What will You Learn?

We cover the following in our roundtable/focused discussions:
-Relevant business topics for Marketplace Leadership
-Casting Your Organization’s Vision
-Idea Generation and Execution
-Cultivating Gift Donors
-Media Relations (Earned Media)
-Out of the Box Promotions
-Strategic Planning for Your Future
-Reaching the Next Generation
-Donor Development vs. Serving Your Ministry Partners
-Board of Directors vs. Bored Directors
-Auditing Your Ministry
-Creative Ideas for Raising Money
-What is Your Ministry’s Brand (Customer Experience)?
-Telling Your Story
-and much, much more!

Outrigger Experience: Conference Leaders 

Greenville, SC
Location TBD
January 23-24, 2015

Contact us here to signup for updates and more information.

Mark A. Griffin | Blog, Events