| Many principles used in businesses today can be | | | | in the workplace? President and CEO of Four-D |
| traced to the Bible. Albeit subtle, often | | | | College, Linda Smith uses biblical principles to |
| paraphrased, and even quoted in part, biblical | | | | "[manage] Four-D...and address issues with staff, |
| principles play a valuable role both in society and in | | | | faculty, individuals in the community or business |
| today's workplace. Without question, there are | | | | partners." Even though applying biblical principles is |
| legal and ethical grounds for not mixing work and | | | | a normal part of the workday, the emphasis at |
| religion. While some believe that "religion" in any | | | | Four-D is showing students how to treat people. |
| form has no place in a briefcase let alone the | | | | Like Steward, Smith has a collection of accolades |
| boardroom, others achieve success by | | | | that speak to her success. Established in 1992, |
| incorporating biblical principles personally and | | | | Four-D thrives under Smith's leadership and |
| professionally. | | | | commitment to be guided by God. |
| Founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, | | | | Since the application of biblical principles in any |
| David Steward, is a living testament to success | | | | arena tends to be contingent on faith, business |
| found in applying biblical principles in the workplace. | | | | owners like Twanda Joseph amply provide |
| Both company and owner have amassed an | | | | balance. The WiseEffects consultant, trainer, and |
| extensive list of accolades over a fifteen-year | | | | talk show host believes that being a Christian and |
| period. World Wide's accolades include | | | | implementing business principles are inseparable. |
| fastest-growing company in the St. Louis region, | | | | "You cannot separate a true person of faith from |
| world's largest African-American-owned company, | | | | their faith." Joseph says. "When you make a |
| and "Company of the Year" (Black Enterprise | | | | person of faith feel as though they have to leave |
| 1999). Author of Doing Business by the Good | | | | a major part of themselves outside when they |
| Book, Steward's personal accolades include, | | | | come to work, you end up with employees who |
| "Entrepreneur of the Year" in technology (Ernst | | | | are only 'half-hearted' in their work...They operate |
| & Young, 1998) and "SBA Business Person | | | | by a double-standard and compromise their true |
| of the Year" (1997). | | | | character just to fit into the corporate |
| According to Steward, the foundation of a | | | | environment." |
| business is made up of "trust, integrity, [and] faith | | | | Realizing that it is difficult to distinguish a person |
| in one another, teamwork..." These core principles | | | | from their faith Joseph contends that a company |
| are also biblical. In addition to using faith, success in | | | | would be better served if employees were |
| business entails defining purpose. Steward believes | | | | allowed to "focus on being a person of character |
| that the primary purpose of a business is to | | | | and integrity in the workplace and beyond." |
| serve others. How businesses serve others can | | | | Rules for Leaders Relative to the workplace, |
| be seen in the outcome. "At the end of the day," | | | | employers and employees consciously or |
| says Steward, "People do business with people | | | | unconsciously integrate biblical principles with |
| who they like and trust." If a company's core | | | | business practices. Most often people exhibit |
| values are right, selfless, and service-oriented, | | | | character, integrity, loyalty, respect, discretion, |
| "profits will come...." | | | | philanthropy, and ethics as a matter of personal |
| Naysayers argue that religion in the workplace | | | | practice. Less frequent in occurrence is what |
| biblical or otherwise hinders workflow and work | | | | people attribute most to the Bible: prayer, |
| performance. For example, praying before | | | | Scripture reading, direct references to or |
| meetings averts attention from the purpose of | | | | acknowledgement of God, Jesus or even |
| work, as does Bible study and "witnessing." | | | | proselytizing. Rare applications include actions that |
| Therefore, incorporating biblical principles is not a | | | | normally occur during a religious service or event. |
| necessary part of conducting business. | | | | Labeled as such or not, Bible-based principles can |
| A Christian and president of Ferguson Media, | | | | be actively applied in the workplace within reason. |
| Andrea Ferguson, would not readily apply biblical | | | | Private companies can initiate or even support |
| principles in the workplace the same way it is | | | | religious practices in the workplace. However, Title |
| openly expressed in a church or synagogue. "I | | | | VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 prohibits |
| don't think it's necessary to impart my religious | | | | private companies from the following: |
| beliefs on others or quote the Bible in the | | | | -Requiring participation in religious events/activities |
| workplace and in meetings," Ferguson | | | | -Employing, compensating or advancing based on |
| commented. "Rather, I incorporate my belief | | | | religious belief |
| system to help me throughout the day, when | | | | -Hiring, promoting or terminating based on an |
| making decisions, dealing with others or even | | | | employee's preference not to participate in a |
| getting new business." | | | | religious event/activity |
| While the marketing and public relations firm | | | | -Proselytizing in an invasive, coercive or harassing |
| executive says her "belief system" is what makes | | | | way |
| her stand out, Ferguson acknowledges that biblical | | | | With some exception, churches, synagogues, |
| principles can "provide a solid foundation on how | | | | mosques, and other religious organizations are |
| to deal with any kind of situation, client or | | | | allowed to preserve their underlying mission. |
| project." Ferguson also believes that the Bible has | | | | Otherwise, making religious practices optional will |
| the ultimate formula for success. | | | | help private companies remain within legal |
| Is there a meaningful way to use biblical principles | | | | guidelines. |