Introduction

Millions would welcome Jesus as a spiritual counselor. But would you hire Jesus as a business counselor? Imagine Jesus as a member of your management team, your Board of Directors, or as your corporate strategic advisor.

For a company rocked by corporate scandal, Jesus might be considered a good “name” to serve as an outside director. But would you name Jesus to the Finance Committee? How about the Marketing or Strategic Planning Committee? How about naming Jesus manager of your new product line?

Jesus is fully employed in the family firm and probably would not accept your offer. But would you consider telling a headhunter that Jesus is the template for your new Executive Vice President?

It is difficult to imagine Jesus in most corporate settings. Shave him, dress him in business casual, give him a Blackberry, update his language, and still he does not fit what most of us understand as corporate material.

This is short-sighted. Jesus was concerned with the whole human condition. The focus of his mission was to harmonize human beliefs and behavior into a way of living that is consistent with our fundamental nature. Jesus understood what was really important and ultimately real. He wanted us to share the same understanding.

When I hire a consultant, or when I consult with my senior managers, or when I sit down with my most trusted clients I mostly want help in discerning and describing reality. There are so many distractions and delusions. From a strictly business perspective, I know that if I can focus on what is real, I am much more likely to succeed in achieving my business goals.

Jesus is a great reality-coach. He knows the human heart; he has experienced the worst that humanity can give; he was there in the beginning when our natures were formed in the image of a creative and loving God. Jesus totally empathizes with our fears and failures. He knows our limitations, but more importantly he is confident of our possibilities.

I probably just lost some readers. For many the teachings of Jesus are admirable and unrealistic, especially unrealistic for the world of business. For many the ethic that Jesus taught is appropriate and realistic in the private sphere of family, friends, and close community. But in the public sphere, there is a common perception that the loving, forgiving, patient teachings of Jesus would be a recipe for competitive failure.

It is a question of strategy. Do you want your business organized around fundamental realities or transitory opportunities? Do you want your business to motivate employees through fear or through encouragement? Do you want to exploit the stupidity of customers or do you want to earn their trust? Are you looking to build your business on a rock or on sand?

Every strategic choice has its trade-offs. No strategy alone can pre-determine the outcome of every challenge. But a successful strategy will generate clear advantages in avoiding many future problems and claiming many future opportunities. Over the long-term, reality is our friend. Jesus provides us critical insight into realities that are important for business, as well as beyond business.