Values are a Pathway to Advancing God’s Kingdom in the Marketplace
Guest Author: Brian Bennett, Director at Kingdom Capital
As Director of Kingdom Capital’s Leadership Institute, Brian partners with commercial and philanthropic leaders to cultivate values-enhanced organizations.
Kingdom Capital is a values-driven private investment firm, serving investors who prefer that their capital is managed in accordance with its SHIELD values. Kingdom Capital and its investors believe that strong principles drive quantitative and qualitative value creation.
When David Steward founded World Wide Technology (WWT) in 1990, he learned that God had a higher purpose for WWT than transforming the world through technology; WWT was to become a global platform for ministry. Thirty-three years later WWT is the largest black-owned company in the US, repeatedly recognized as a Best Place to Work, has 10,000 associates and is blessed to experience $17 billion in annual revenues. David has brought the lessons God taught him along that journey to serve entrepreneurs through Kingdom Capital, a private investment firm he founded with Managing Partner and CEO Brandon Mann. As David has discovered during his continued journey with WWT, Christ empowered character in service of a higher purpose can transform business activities into ministry pathways.
“If you truly want to be a better leader, then you don’t have a choice about whether you become a better servant—of God and of those you lead. From a Biblical standpoint, leadership is not about personality, position, or title. It is about character. It is about serving others just as Christ did and as He instructed His disciples to do. The most effective, most fulfilled leaders serve a higher purpose than their own.” -David L. Steward & Brandon K. Mann, Leadership By the Good Book.
As we look through a redemptive lens at the world around us today, the fabric of our leadership and investing can point others to the greater reality of God’s presence and purpose in the world. The headlines over the last year serve as a sobering reminder of the consequences when leaders compromise their values. Billions in investments have been lost, careers have been ruined and there are untold costs from the ripple effects upon the marriages, homes, and communities of connected stakeholders connected.
During one especially painful interview with a CEO who was quickly indicted after the collapse of the company he founded and led, the founder acknowledged that all the branding around altruism and values were things everyone says to play the game and acquire funding, whether one actually believes the statements or not. In a world where demand is rising for purpose-driven companies, it is becoming a disadvantage not to have a differentiated purpose that positions the business for good. With this pressure to be purposeful comes an enhanced temptation to present the leader’s or organization’s values in a way that tells a popular cultural script while lacking a depth of conviction and commitment. In the crucible of company building, investing and stewarding resources, the pressure and intensity will test the veracity of our values commitment.
“Knowing who you are and what you stand for enables you to set a good example for others, so that you can create a team rooted in values. This strong foundation is critical because you will face tough decisions at times. Having a firm set of values will make your decision making clearer. This doesn’t mean that your life will be easy, but you will have a compass to guide you toward the solutions that are optimal for you, your company and for all stakeholders involved. In short, adhering to your values will keep you on track to do the right thing.” -Harry M. Jansen Kraemer Jr, From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership
As a firm, we at Kingdom Capital are learning afresh daily how important it is to realign to the values we declare and to involve the values in all of our key decision-making moments and people interactions. This is often a humbling journey requiring significant prayerful self-reflection, awareness, and ownership of values misalignments as we seek to fulfill our mission and vision. Kingdom Capital exists to cultivate a virtuous cycle of capital among the three communities we serve: investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropic leaders. We introduce our SHIELD values (Service, Humility, Integrity, Excellence, Love, Diversity) early in every potential investment or partnership conversation. These values and their associated anchor scriptures are found on our website, so there is no confusion about who we are or what matters most to us. Declaring values is the easy part, integrating them into every interaction and business activity is where leaders are tested.
What a gift it is to be in community and partnership with others who share this commitment to living out our faith convictions in the way we express our values through a platform like Impact Foundation. There is an encouragement that comes from seeing and being inspired by the incredible work being done by faith-oriented leaders and investors at such an exciting time! We all need that encouragement to not grow weary in doing good. Though the commitment and conviction around our values and higher purpose may require a deeper sacrifice or missed opportunities, it is worth it. It is worth it because of each image-bearer whose life is connected, often in invisible ways, to our work and investing. The values serve as connective tissue to our faith in action.
I am not sure which pastor said it first, but I have heard versions of this powerful statement repeatedly by numerous pastors over time. “Good deeds create good will which opens the door for good news.” For faith-oriented leaders who desire to reflect God’s kingdom in word and deed, values offer a common ground expression of faith that creates value for others. People of all beliefs and backgrounds can relate to values that treat them with dignity and respect and that endeavor for their good in all things. Leaders who may not share the same faith orientation are often intrigued and encouraged by the authentic expression of values. Fulfilling the greatest commandment through the way we embody values in our negotiating terms, deal structures, and ongoing support can point to an alternative kingdom. This expression and experience of love in action creates a pathway to advancing God’s kingdom in the marketplace.
Defining the values for one’s family office, company, investment firm, or philanthropic strategy can feel at times like a checkbox activity on the way to more important things. This cultural moment is searching for purpose and values in business and investing, seeking a better future for all. When we prayerfully define our values and commit to let them shape the fabric of our work, we can tell a different story by our approach that opens the door for redemptive potential.
