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What is Values-Based Leadership?

Posted on , by Greg Gast
What is Values-Based Leadership?

Defining “values”

An increasing number of business leaders and consultants are embracing the term, “values-based leadership.”  While the words “values-based” generally produce a positive emotional response, most people have no clear idea what it actually means. For some, values refer to presumed universal principles like integrity, justice and service.  Others believe that values are beliefs acquired from parents or the church, such as putting family first, obeying God and playing fair.  Values may also be ideals communicated by […]

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God Speaks

Posted on , by Greg Gast
God Speaks

I always thought God only spoke underneath a steeple,

Tears of saints, boasts of sinners, laughs of children,

Rainbows, hurricanes, sunsets and earthquakes,

God speaks to his people.

Thought there were designated deliverers of God’s word,

Scripture, history, her story and their story,

Movies, media, songs and sighs,

God speaks to his people.

Creeds, psalms and hymns, God’s approved message?

Dreams, glimpses, hopes and fears,

Murder and mayhem, redemption and salvation,

God speaks to his people.

Used to think that God only answered when we were praying,

Shouts of politicians, […]

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Call to Community: From entrepreneur to elder

Posted on , by Greg Gast
Call to Community: From entrepreneur to elder

This point of turning, this time of transition, this season of transformation;

This powerful movement of God, this quiet whisper of the Spirit;

Urging my being to new horizons;

Places which are vaguely familiar, but where I have never before been.

Connecting to those whose inner graspings and longings are shared without articulation,

Knowing the agonizing brush with fulfillment; forever striving.

The world may be better, though we may not. 

Dreams blessedly elusive; visions, triumphs, tragedies.

Shaken from the cloud, conscious only of self; […]

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Why Collins is Great – “Built to Last”

Posted on , by Greg Gast
Why Collins is Great – “Built to Last”

Collins’ Classics

As a business owner and management consultant, I struggle to identify quality business books.  However, I believe I am in good company when I say that Jim Collins’ books “Built to Last”, “Good to Great”, “Great by Choice”, and “How the Mighty Fall” are enduring business classics.  They fall into a narrow group of writings in which the conclusions are built on scads of financial data and historical research and are not simply […]

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Thirdstage Thinking

Posted on , by Greg Gast
Thirdstage Thinking

The Thirdstage Thinking blog is a multi-faceted exploration of purpose, values and ethics – the foundational drivers of sustained organizational excellence.  We recognize that business decisions are not merely financial or functional, but encompass the deepest personal and spiritual needs of the people inside and outside the organization.  We believe economics must be coupled with the awareness that transcendent purpose and ethical behavior contribute to superior organizational performance.  It is our intention, with help from the teachings of Jim Collins, Max […]

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