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Hi everyone! I’m the President of Richdel, Inc., an MBA candidate, and, most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, it feels like those three identities walk into my office, and I’m reminded of the punchline:
“My LinkedIn profile says ‘President and MBA Candidate,’ but 2 Corinthians essentially calls me a dirt jar.”
If I’m being honest, balancing the competitive animal health space and academic pursuits with a Jesus-led life is a daily, and often comical, struggle for me. In my MBA classes and the corporate world, success is measured by course performance, profit margins, prestige, and personal affirmation. But in worship? That’s an entirely different measuring stick. Recently, while reflecting on “Kingdom Leadership: Identity, Obedience, and Action”, I was hit with a truth that flipped my corporate/student mindset upside down. The core message is simple: true leadership is less about prestigious titles and a respectable GPA, and much more about our identity, obedience, and action in Christ.
The Trap of Status vs. Scripture
The principle of humility, in a verse that really keeps my ego in check, 2 Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us”. Let me tell you, the CEO side of my brain loves to project a flawless, sterling image of leadership to my team and customers. But the Bible essentially calls me a clay pot. A dirt jar. An “earthen vessel”, ouch, that hurts my ego. The point is, true excellence in my work doesn’t come from my own perfection or from chasing tempting prosperity-gospel shortcuts. The Kingdom approach prioritizes spiritual growth and obedience, and it certainly does not promote material gain as the measure of spiritual success. Instead, it comes from letting God’s power work through my (many) flaws in service to Him.
Sweating Through the Suit to “Fail-Forward”
This approach requires embracing a “fail-forward” mindset, recognizing that failure is not the end. In the corporate world, a failure usually means I’m sweating through my suit during a leadership meeting. But Kingdom leadership views these setbacks simply as staging grounds for growth. It’s funny how modern science is actually catching up to what Scripture has said all along. In my MBA program, I’ve reviewed Dr. Carol Dweck’s “Growth Mindset,” which shows that viewing failure as a launchpad for learning, rather than a measure of our worth, is exactly how top leaders grow. Also, look at Dr. Amy Edmondson’s concept of “Psychological Safety,” which proves that teams thrive when leaders are vulnerable enough to admit they don’t have all the answers. In other words, the data literally backs up the biblical idea of being an imperfect “clay pot”! It is incredibly tough to lay down the world’s definition of winning. I regularly wrestle with the urge to tie my worth to my title. However, Kingdom leadership demands we engage our hearts and minds by rooting our trust in Jesus rather than our own abilities. Success looks like leaders who can steward their unique callings and influence others through radical generosity, integrity, and perseverance, most often when no one is looking. I am still very much a work in progress. I’m just a guy trying his best to operate his business in excellence, give from abundance, and remember that being a clay pot isn’t so bad when God is the one doing the filling.
My challenge to you (and to myself) this week is to stop trying to hide the cracks. Take one recent setback at work, embrace the ‘fail-forward’ mindset , and ask God how He wants to shine through your earthen vessel. How will you trade your title for truth today?
Dr. Carol Dweck on Growth Mindset Harvard Business Review: “What Having a ‘Growth Mindset’ Actually Means”Link: https://hbr.org/2016/01/what-having-a-growth-mindset-actually-means
Dr. Amy Edmondson on Psychological Safety Harvard Business School Online: “How to Build Psychological Safety in the Workplace” Link: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/psychological-safety-in-the-workplace
Supporting Healthier Animals & Developing Successful People 