biblical leadership, Servant Leadership

Embracing Servant Leadership: Insights from Deborah McGee

In the latest episode of the Biblical Leadership at Work podcast, host Jason Woodard welcomes Deborah McGee, a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in international operations spanning sectors like consulting, finance, manufacturing, and government.

Deborah’s story is not just about her remarkable professional journey but also about her deep commitment to serving others through her faith. A military spouse, Deborah faced significant challenges, including 22 moves while pursuing her education. Despite these hurdles, she leveraged volunteer leadership roles to build her skills and eventually transitioned into corporate leadership. She is also the author of The Leadership Attitude.

Her insights into leading volunteers—whom she mentions cannot be fired—stem from a foundation of gratitude and empathy. Deborah shared how her switch from auditing to international human resources illuminated her passion for people. Her career path took her to pivotal roles in major companies like Lafarge North America and Doosan Infracore, where she was often one of the few women in executive positions.

Her experiences in these roles, particularly in a task-oriented Western business environment, led her to realize the significance of relationship-building—a cornerstone in many global cultures. The heart of Deborah’s message revolves around servant leadership and the profound impact of integrating biblical principles into business. She describes how, despite the corporate world’s challenges, maintaining a servant’s heart aligned with her faith transformed her approach to leadership. Her reflections on how scripture, seen as a guidebook, provided answers and clarity in her professional life are particularly insightful for leaders seeking wisdom and guidance.

As the founder of PZI International Group, Deborah exemplifies leadership that empowers and uplifts. Her advice is clear: prioritize serving and connecting with others, fostering an environment where both faith and business can thrive. Join Jason and Deborah in this enriching conversation to explore the powerful intersection of faith, leadership, and community service.

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Embracing Faithfulness Over Success: A Conversation with Brandon West

In the latest episode of the Biblical Leadership at Work podcast, host Jason Woodard engages in an insightful conversation with Brandon West, founder and chief purpose officer of PHOS Creative.

Brandon shares his inspiring journey of integrating faith into the workplace while redefining what it means to lead with purpose. Brandon’s story is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership. From his early days studying classical studies at the University of Florida to founding PHOS Creative, Brandon has consistently sought to build a culture that prioritizes faith and people over mere results. He challenges us with the idea that success is not measured by outcomes, but by faithfulness to the mission God has given us. This concept is also what drove Brandon to write his book, It is Not Your Business to Succeed.

Throughout the episode, Brandon discusses the importance of intentionality in leadership. He emphasizes the value of investing in relationships—both at work and at home—to foster genuine connections. His personal core values, such as love and faithfulness, guide his leadership style, enabling him to create a workplace where individuals feel valued and cared for.

Brandon’s spiritual disciplines, including daily scripture reading and regular retreats, keep him anchored in his faith. By turning on the “faucet” of spiritual disciplines, as highlighted in David Mathis’ book “Habits of Grace,” Brandon opens himself up to God’s guidance and growth.

The episode concludes with a discussion on how faith can be integrated into business, regardless of the religious affiliations of team members or clients. Brandon’s approach at PHOS Creative involves being the “chief repenting officer,” modeling vulnerability and love, and creating a culture where all are welcomed and cherished.

For those seeking to lead with faith and intentionality, Brandon West offers a refreshing perspective that challenges us to focus on faithfulness rather than traditional measures of success. Join Jason and Brandon on the Biblical Leadership at Work podcast for a deep dive into leading with purpose in today’s world.

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Integrating Faith and Leadership: A Conversation with Nate Miersma

In a recent episode of the Biblical Leadership at Work podcast, host Jason Woodard sat down with Nate Miersma, VP and GM at CONMED, to discuss his profound journey through both military and corporate leadership, and how his faith has been a guiding force throughout his career.

Nate’s leadership path is as diverse as it is inspiring. He began his professional journey as an engineering student at Purdue University before realizing that his true calling lay elsewhere. As a soldier in the U.S. Army, Nate honed his leadership skills over 11 years, culminating in experience as a company commander with combat deployments. These experiences laid a strong foundation for the high-stakes world of corporate leadership.

Transitioning from military service, Nate spent nearly 20 years at Stryker, excelling in roles across strategic sales, marketing, and operations. At Stryker, Nate and Jason had the opportunity to work together, where Nate’s integrity and unwavering commitment to his team left a lasting impression.

Throughout his career, Nate has seamlessly integrated his Christian faith into his leadership approach. His values of integrity, transparency, and dedication to personal and professional growth are deeply rooted in his belief system. These principles guide him as he leads with a focus on advocacy and development within his teams. As Nate recounts his journey, he emphasizes the importance of discipline, desire, and ultimately delight in one’s work and faith. He candidly shares his continuous effort to balance the challenges of leadership with the mission to honor Christ in all endeavors. For those aspiring to lead with purpose, Nate’s story offers a powerful example of how faith can be a cornerstone for both personal fulfillment and effective leadership.

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Faith and Work, Servant Leadership

Embracing Faith and Leadership: A Journey with Chris Granger

On a recent episode of the ‘Biblical Leadership @ Work‘ podcast, host Jason Woodard engaged in an insightful conversation with Chris Granger, exploring his dynamic career path and profound journey of faith. From an engineering career to embracing his calling for leadership and discipleship, Chris’s story resonates with many.

Chris Granger, a seasoned electrical engineer, shared his professional journey that began at community college and eventually landed him in engineering and sales roles. Despite a successful career filled with achievements, Chris realized that integrating his faith into his professional life was missing. This realization set him on a path to align his values with his work, which included starting a podcast for his company and venturing into marketing roles.

Beyond his professional life, Chris’s personal journey has taken intriguing turns. He shared about moving his family to a small farm, embracing homesteading, and raising a family with four children. His challenges and transformations at home parallel his faith growth, emphasizing the values of discipleship and community.

Central to Chris’s message is ‘The Lion Within Us,’ a discipleship and leadership community he founded. This platform provides men with teachings centered on leadership and spiritual growth. Through daily devotionals, courses, and a supportive community, Chris has created a space for men to grow in faith. Chris also discussed key principles that guide his leadership approach, including humility and asking insightful questions. He advocates for a leadership style that seeks understanding and fosters collaboration, drawing from decades of experience and personal growth.

In wrapping up, Chris emphasized the importance of living out one’s faith authentically in both personal and professional spheres, aiming to leave a legacy not defined by achievements but by faith and service. For those seeking community and deeper discipleship, Chris invites you to explore ‘The Lion Within Us‘ online and engage in this journey of faith and leadership.

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