Explore every episode of the podcast Integrity Moments

As Hurricane Helene passed through Sarasota, Kathy and I were watching the 70 mph winds and rain pound outside our hotel. Amid this vast storm, truck after truck started rolling into the parking lot.  Before long we watched dozens of linemen enter the lobby in their muddy clothes. Some were from Tennessee, others said Georgia.  ...

The post Being Neighborly appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, Kathy and I found ourselves impacted by Hurricane Helene. After evacuating from the island we were visiting, we secured a downtown Sarasota hotel for three days.  During the height of the hurricane, most restaurants were closed. But one ambitious pizza restaurant owner saw an opportunity due to the weather.   He passed out flyers at ...

The post Risk vs. Opportunity appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Kathy and I returned from a beautiful morning on the beach. The sun was shining, the wind was gentle, and the day looked like it would bring more of the same.  Then we received the call. We were told that Hurricane Helene was headed in our direction and that we needed to evacuate the island.  ...

The post Storms Brewing appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Election Days are one of the most polarizing days of the year. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, passion about a party can bring heated debate.  The only thing the majority of the population seems to agree on is the lack of trust in our politicians. Yet, their work remains very important!   Politicians are ...

The post Election Day Passion appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

My new friend, Gary Harpst, has developed a new tool that could prove to be just as important as our CRMs, called a Kingdom ERM for employee relationship management.  For task-oriented people, like myself, we desire to nurture our team, but without some form of reminders or prompts it easily gets forgotten. Gary’s system is ...

The post Employee Relationship Management appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

During the Presidential Debate, Vice President Harris accused former President Trump of selling special treatment to foreign leaders because they flattered the former President. Whether or not that statement is true is not my point.  My point is that flattery can be a snare for many leaders. Success often breeds pride, and pride can lead ...

The post The Snare of Flattery appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A recent Harvard Business Review article highlighted experiments that discovered that 46% of people accepted job offers without any negotiation, out of fear that the offer may be withdrawn.  Obviously, they are willing to work for that amount. But they may feel they are worth more pay.  As an employer who desires to shepherd your ...

The post Feeling Undervalued appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, I provided counsel to Jeff who is trying to dissolve a partnership that has soured. Jeff’s partner has broken laws, violated Jeff’s trust, and created financial chaos in their shared business.  One of Jeff’s options includes signing a new agreement with Jeff’s partner. However, there is legitimate concern about signing an agreement with someone ...

The post Trusting the Untrustworthy? appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The music artist, Lecrae, stated in an interview on essence.com that he faced significant challenges in his early years finding any recording companies to sign him. The Christian studios told Lecrae that his music was too edgy, while the secular studios said his music was too Christian.  This drove Lecrae to a more unconventional approach ...

The post Lecrae’s Unconventional Approach appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The ESPN documentary “Broke” showcased the challenges of professional athletes who suddenly come into huge salaries without adequate preparation for handling their new wealth.  Even though the profiled athletes had amazing talents and power on the field, they strained to effectively manage their money. They struggled with greed, peer competition for the flashiest purchases, and ...

The post Specialty Skills appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In his book, “Jesus, Help Me Have Peace,” author Jake Huffman tells of the role that integrity plays in finding peace.   Tempted to move his ball during a golf game to get a better shot, he realized his traditional approach – win at all costs – wasn’t what God wanted. He recognized that his score ...

The post Integrity In All Things appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When Brian was appointed to a new management role at work, he applied his customary leadership approach to the new organization.  However, he quickly received feedback that the new team didn’t know how to take him. His casual and sometimes sarcastic approach was such a departure from previous managers that employees hesitated to follow his ...

The post Shaken Loose appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Gallup and Bentley University conducted a poll on Artificial Intelligence that revealed that 75% of respondents believe that AI will reduce the number of jobs in the United States over the next ten years. These researchers also discovered that worry about the negative effects of AI was especially high among adults with less than a ...

The post AI Anxiety appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

There were those times when my younger brother, Terry, and I would get into battles that resulted in pushing or shoving, or worse. Occasionally, I would start a fight with my brother, only to have mom or dad walk in during Terry’s retaliation.   Terry would get punished even though he didn’t start the fight. Had ...

The post Perceptions Are Not Always Reality appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In the story of Daniel, the Babylonians demanded that Daniel violate his faith by eating food sacrificed to their idols. Daniel could have launched a hunger strike or he could have relented, but he did neither.  Instead, Daniel patiently won his bosses over with kindness, respect and logic. Initially, Daniel’s request was declined, but he ...

The post The Art of Persuasion appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

As the founder of this ministry, I have performed about every job at some time in the past. But for many of those tasks, I don’t have the skills needed to perform well.  Recently, I was reminded of that hard truth when I tried to do a basic graphic design project on my own. ...

The post Five Keys to Success God’s Way: Part V appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A recent Harvard Business Review article highlighted experiments that discovered that 46% of people accepted job offers without any negotiation, out of fear that the offer may be withdrawn.  Obviously, they are willing to work for that amount. But they may feel they are worth more pay.  As an employer who desires to shepherd ...

The post Feeling Undervalued appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In the last lesson, we discussed the third key to success, to meditate and learn God’s Word. Unfortunately, learning and meditating on God’s Word only gets you so far.  Joshua was informed that he also had to “be careful to do everything written in it.” Many business leaders quote God’s Word, but if we want ...

The post Five Keys to Success God’s Way: Part IV appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Imagine becoming the successor to the most renown leader of your time and being asked to perform the one feat your predecessor failed to do. This is precisely what Joshua faced when Moses anointed Joshua as his own replacement.   Joshua was fearful and seeking reassurance, but he also wanted to know how he could possibly ...

The post Five Keys to Success God’s Way: Part III appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Joseph went from being in prison to becoming Pharoah’s right-hand ruler and holding power over all of Egypt. Imagine the following Joseph could have today on the speaking circuit.   Everyone in business wants to know the keys to success in business, and Joseph seemed to have the answers. When we read the story of Joseph ...

The post Five Keys to Success God’s Way: Part II appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Abraham’s servant was given a very important responsibility. He was to travel to Abraham’s homeland and find Abraham’s son, Isaac, a wife.  Success was critical. To travel over 400 miles and come back with the wrong woman would be disastrous for the servant.  Once the servant arrived at Abraham’s homeland, the servant still had the ...

The post Five Keys to Success God’s Way: Part I appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In leading any organization there are constant challenges and decisions to be made. Some decisions are more difficult than others, which can leave me feeling inadequate at times.   That’s when I yearn, and seek, the wisest counsel I can find. Fortunately, I have access to boundless wisdom.   Recently, faced with some difficult decisions, I ...

The post Business Wisdom from James: Part II appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When you host a business event or conference, you can decide who will occupy the best seats. Many will reward their best paying customers with the best seats.  That may be appropriate if they pay extra, but if not, the dilemma for followers of Jesus comes when we try to apply the wisdom of ...

The post Business Wisdom from James: Part VI appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Ben was driving in a line of cars on a hilly two-lane road. Everyone was driving at the speed limit, recognizing the need for patience.  Unfortunately, Ben noticed in his rearview mirror a driver who instead chose impatience, closely tailgating and continually passing vehicles.  When the driver passed him in a no-passing zone, Ben hoped ...

The post Comeuppance appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Working for an electric transmission utility required that my colleagues and I did not have a financial interest in another utility. Employees were required to be unbiased in our roles, down to our personal finances.  When I discovered that my financial advisor had purchased shares in another utility, I instructed her to sell them immediately. ...

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When I was in my 20s, I started a used car rental agency. But unfortunately, interest rates soared to 20% and unemployment to 13%.   About a year later, I asked a friend for his advice on my business. My friend looked at my business’ financial condition and kindly, but firmly, told me, “Rick, if you ...

The post Just What I Needed to Hear appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Mike and Cindy arrived with just a few minutes to go before the movie was to start, but there was no one at the ticket booth. When the kiosk didn’t work either, they decided to go to the movie and deal with it after the show.   After the show, Mike told a young man at ...

The post Doing What’s Right appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to a recent Harvard Business Review article, your integrity may come into question based on what clothes you wear to work. Two studies researched how attire affects perceptions of integrity in the workplace.  Their findings reveal that people perceive you differently based on your attire. The studies broke down worker’s attire into three categories: ...

The post Appearances Are Deceptive appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

For months, Kathy and I have fervently prayed for God’s direction about some very significant issues related to our son, Jeremy. Instead of getting better, things continue to get worse.   There are moments when Kathy and I feel God has abandoned us and we wonder why He remains silent. King David knew the feeling.   In ...

The post When God Seems Silent appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, JPMorgan and Bank of America are trying to “fix” the issue of investment bankers’ excessive hours. By capping these young bankers to 80 hours a week, think about the message these banks have sent.   Basically, they’re saying, “We hear you have a problem with working so many ...

The post Eighty Hour Work Weeks appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Last month, Chase Bank experienced a glitch in their computer system. When people made a deposit at one of their ATMs, some customers learned they could withdraw the entire amount in cash immediately, instead of the typical limited amount.   Unfortunately, for Chase, Tik Tok influencers discovered this opportunity for quick cash and publicized it online. ...

The post Fraud at Chase Bank appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When my kids were young, I watched Winnie the Pooh videos countless times. The character, Eeyore, always reminded me of the importance of having a positive attitude.  If you don’t remember, Eeyore was a donkey who was pessimistic and depressed. He viewed most things negatively.  According to workplace mental health studies, I believe we have ...

The post Encouraging the Eeyores appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

When I was young, the nightly news with CBS anchor Walter Cronkite could be trusted. He held to high journalistic standards of objectivity, which seems to have been discarded by most news networks today.  Every evening Mr. Cronkite would finish the CBS Evening News with the phrase, “And that’s the way it is.” However, ...

The post Missing Walter Cronkite appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, I ordered some sleeping equipment. A friend of mine had ordered similar equipment from a large bureaucratic organization.   My friend felt that because he went with a large organization his experiences resulted in being impersonal and inflexible. I decided on using a locally owned business instead and I’m glad I did.   This local medical ...

The post Small Business Care appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In business, there are cycles. Some years are good, but there are also years that are a real struggle. Those years can bring financial challenges, personnel issues, or both.  If you’re not clear as to why you’re doing the work you are doing, it can be easier to choose to quit or close your business. ...

The post Do Not Grow Weary appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Worldwide, 41 percent of workers feel “a lot” of stress during their workday, according to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace.1 Twenty-one percent said they experienced “a lot” of anger, 22 percent said they felt “a lot” of sadness, and 20 percent – one in five – said they felt “a lot” of ...

The post Working for the Right Thing appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A recent Gallup poll1 found that 42 percent of employees who voluntarily left their organizations reported that their manager or organization could have done something to prevent them from leaving. Follow-up research found that managers could have made a difference if they had engaged employees in discussions about their job satisfaction, performance, or future with ...

The post Serving the Team appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Whenever he went to the grocery store, Brian would retrieve at least one wayward grocery cart from the parking lot and return it to the store. He felt it was a small way he could help reduce clutter, improve the store’s aesthetics, and maybe make someone’s job easier.  But on one of his trips, he ...

The post Visible Deeds appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Sam was frustrated with his job and struggling with his role. He and his boss agreed that he would transition to a new role that seemed to be a better fit. Although Sam was grateful for the opportunity, it was still a major change. He processed it by posting his thoughts on an anonymous on-line ...

The post Demonstrating Discretion appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

I was leading a non-profit board when we faced a divisive issue. Emotions were high, so we brought in a seasoned mediator to help us find a solution. The mediator recommended activities focused on building relationships and consensus to allow us to move forward.  I, and a couple other board leaders, decided the issues couldn’t ...

The post Take Time to Learn appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

While I was doing freelance consulting, securing new clients was critical. I was excited to find a woman who was new to her role in an area where I had done work. I reached out, offering to help her in her new role. To showcase my experience, I planned to send her work I ...

The post Customer Relationship Integrity appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Have you ever changed jobs, suddenly immersed into a new culture? Did you infect it with your values, or did they infect you with theirs? As a teenager, the prophet Daniel was captured and immersed into Babylon’s culture. King Nebuchadnezzar wanted Daniel and his friends indoctrinated into Babylon’s ways, so they were placed in a ...

The post Infecting the Culture appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, an insurance adjuster assessed our roof for hail damage. From the moment the adjuster climbed out of his truck, he moved diligently and at a fast pace.  He knew what he came to accomplish, and he was determined to do it as efficiently as possible. Instead of pulling out a ladder, he pulled ...

The post Working Smarter Not Harder appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

There’s a radio program that’s about buying real estate with very little cash. The host of the program claims he can make us rich if we borrow as much debt as possible to buy real estate.   The result, however, is an upside-down pyramid of debt.   As a young man, I borrowed excessively to buy ...

The post A Pyramid of Debt appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A common refrain I hear from many CEOs is that, “it’s lonely at the top.” Business owners often make tough decisions that they’re not comfortable sharing with their team members.  Unless they find a group of peers, or pay for a business coach, many CEOs often end up making decisions in isolation. This can lead ...

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When a cook in North Carolina was hired by an IHOP restaurant, he informed his boss that he didn’t work on Sundays for religious reasons. This man’s wish was honored until new management took over.   When the cook refused to work on Sunday, his new manager fired him. This cook sued IHOP and he ...

The post A Cook’s Reward appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

My cousin, Jack, negotiated with a hotel manager to host our family reunion. The manager agreed to waive the banquet room rental fee if enough of our family rented hotel rooms.  Unfortunately, we didn’t meet his expectations.  The manager was inclined to waive the fee anyway, until one of his investors demanded that we get ...

The post Who Is In Charge? appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, our church taught a series on God in the Storms. Our pastor mentioned that there are times when storms can be God’s way to teach us something significant.   But sometimes we don’t learn the lesson the first time. If you’re like me, sometimes I don’t learn the second or third time either.   When God ...

The post Repeating Storms appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In the Kendrick Brothers new movie, The Forge, a young man named Isaiah is mentored by his new boss. Early in the movie, Isaiah’s boss notes that Isaiah doesn’t know how to properly shake hands.  Later, the CEO teaches Isaiah to shake hands firmly while looking his new acquaintance in the eyes. Many employers express ...

The post Needed Soft Skills appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

The Kendrick Brothers just released their latest movie, The Forge. The Forge is about a mature CEO who chooses to hire a young delinquent provided the delinquent agrees to be mentored twice a week.   Throughout the movie, this young man is mentored in how to be a good employee and leader, while also being discipled ...

The post Workplace Discipleship in the Movies appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.