Creating a great leadership team is much like baking a cake...according to Ford Taylor - and he's right!  Even after many years of experience and many culinary successes, most of us wouldn't attempt to bake a cake without a recipe.  It most cases, it would likely be a baking disaster.  So how about our leadership efforts?  Are we missing some key ingredients and somewhat flying blind in our team development?  Need a recipe?Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives featuring Ford Taylor.  Ford Taylor is the founder of FSH Consulting Group and Transformational Leadership (transformlead.com website where you can learn more and access the wealth of great content available there). He is the author of Relactional Leadership and creator of Ford Taylor Talks.  In addition to the executive leadership training that Ford does around the world, he is also involved in a charitable effort to provide Transformational Leadership to emerging countries worldwide. Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

How many times have you been part of conversations with business owners/leaders and the greatest challenge in their leadership role has nothing to do with the business…it has everything to do with the home and family?We must be Courageous!  And that courage doesn’t come from just digging deeper within ourselves to somehow muster up the resolve and strength to take another step…it comes from surrender to God, through the Holy Spirit to allow His wisdom, truth, and supernatural guidance and strength to flow through us.  We must humble ourselves and acknowledge our dependence on God.  Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives featuring Dennis Rainey.   Dennis & Barbara Rainey are co-founders of FamilyLife, a subsidiary of Cru. Since the organization began in 1976, for more than 41 years the Raineys’ leadership enabled FamilyLife to grow into a dynamic and vital ministry that offers families blueprints for living godly lives, marriages, and families in more than 110 countries around the world.The Raineys have authored or co-authored 35 books, including the best-selling Moments Together for Couples and The Art of Parenting.  From 1992 until 2019, Dennis and Barbara were heard on the nationally syndicated radio program FamilyLife Today® on more than 1300 radio stations in nearly all 50 states. FamilyLife Today received the National Religious Broadcasters Radio Program of the Year Award three times. Dennis serves on the board of directors of Dallas Theological Seminary and Barbara serves on the Christian Alliance for Orphans board.Together they have spoken at over 150 Weekend to Remember® marriage getaways across the United States and internationally. Dennis has also spoken for Promise Keepers stadium events, YPO University Fellowship Forum, FamilyLife’s I Still Do™ arena events, and has testified on family issues before Congress. Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

Courageous leadership that can transform a nation…it starts at home!  There is no doubt that having a healthy home life is critical to effective leadership as a business owner...and God intends for our homes to reflect our relationship with Him.Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives featuring Dennis Rainey.   Dennis & Barbara Rainey are co-founders of FamilyLife, a subsidiary of Cru. Since the organization began in 1976, for more than 41 years the Raineys’ leadership enabled FamilyLife to grow into a dynamic and vital ministry that offers families blueprints for living godly lives, marriages, and families in more than 110 countries around the world.The Raineys have authored or co-authored 35 books, including the best-selling Moments Together for Couples and The Art of Parenting.  From 1992 until 2019, Dennis and Barbara were heard on the nationally syndicated radio program FamilyLife Today® on more than 1300 radio stations in nearly all 50 states. FamilyLife Today received the National Religious Broadcasters Radio Program of the Year Award three times. Dennis serves on the board of directors of Dallas Theological Seminary and Barbara serves on the Christian Alliance for Orphans board.Together they have spoken at over 150 Weekend to Remember® marriage getaways across the United States and internationally. Dennis has also spoken for Promise Keepers stadium events, YPO University Fellowship Forum, FamilyLife’s I Still Do™ arena events, and has testified on family issues before Congress.  Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

So often a word like ‘trust’ can be easily tossed around in leadership conversations but lack a shared definition.  AND how do you develop 'trustworthiness' in yourself, your team, your organization?Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives featuring Jack Lannom - Award Winning Author, Leadership and Learning Expert, Founder of the People First Movement, and International Speaker.Jack is the Chief Belief Officer of People First International and the founder of the People First movement. Jack first began to develop the People First® philosophy—which emphasizes truth in all things, wisdom in all things, and excellence in all things—in the 1980s when he first created the Pyramid of People Power. The Pyramid was the kick-off point for introducing the new era of Human Energy Economics. In 1999 Jack did considerable research and writing and released the complete People First Strategic Leadership Certification Program. On the heels of that, in 2001, he wrote the award-winning book, People First® — Achieving Balance in an Unbalanced World. Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

Firing someone can be the best thing that could ever happen to them (when God is in control and guiding those involved)...as you'll hear in the testimony of a wife whose husband was fired by John Beckett.And is it really possible to both REST and RUN simultaneously as a business owner?  John shares a powerful story of waiting upon God in the midst of significant difficulty that came as a customer copied one of their products and became a competitor...and how God told John to "stand still" and wait for the Lord to deliver the right solution.  Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives featuring John Beckett.  John D. Beckett grew up in Elyria, Ohio and graduated from M.I.T. in 1960 before working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. In 1963 he joined his father’s small manufacturing business, R.W. Beckett Corp., and became president in 1965 upon the death of his father. The company has grown to become a worldwide leader in producing engineered components for residential and commercial heating.Along with its affiliates, the company employs some 700 people. Mr. Beckett is a founding board member of The King’s College in New York City, serves on the board of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, and is a director of Graphic Packaging Corporation, a  NYSE-listed manufacturing company. He served as the college’s interim chairman from May 2007 to December 2008. His first book, Loving Monday: Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul, was published in 1998, and is now available in fourteen languages. His second book, Mastering Monday: A Practical Guide to Integrating Faith and Work, was released in July 2006. Mr. Beckett received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Spring Arbor University in 2002 and The King’s College in 2008.He was also named “Christian Businessman of the Year” by the Christian Broadcasting network (1999) and manufacturing “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young (2003). He resides in Elyria, Ohio with his wife of 47 years, Wendy. They have six children and eighteen grandchildren.Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

It is in the testing that culture becomes clear and obvious - whether there is dependence and trust in God or just doing business the world’s way.This isn't well-reasoned theory or someone speaking but having no hard-won experience on this episode…no, this is coming from a man who has been on his knees for many, many hours…seeking God's wisdom and engaged in daily business operations as an owner for dozens of years.  This is practical material that you'll be able to apply as the need arises - quite possibly, later today.Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives featuring John Beckett.  John D. Beckett grew up in Elyria, Ohio and graduated from M.I.T. in 1960 before working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. In 1963 he joined his father’s small manufacturing business, R.W. Beckett Corp., and became president in 1965 upon the death of his father. The company has grown to become a worldwide leader in producing engineered components for residential and commercial heating.Along with its affiliates, the company employs some 700 people. Mr. Beckett is a founding board member of The King’s College in New York City, serves on the board of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, and is a director of Graphic Packaging Corporation, a  NYSE-listed manufacturing company. He served as the college’s interim chairman from May 2007 to December 2008. His first book, Loving Monday: Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul, was published in 1998, and is now available in fourteen languages. His second book, Mastering Monday: A Practical Guide to Integrating Faith and Work, was released in July 2006. Mr. Beckett received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Spring Arbor University in 2002 and The King’s College in 2008.He was also named “Christian Businessman of the Year” by the Christian Broadcasting network (1999) and manufacturing “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young (2003). He resides in Elyria, Ohio with his wife of 47 years, Wendy. They have six children and eighteen grandchildren.Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

There is no question that this tension of walking a path of balancing family and business responsibilities is a very real challenge for men and women in leadership.None of us will bat a 1000 in this arena…and all of us need to remain humble in our effort to learn from each other and continue to make steps of progress and improvement.  This topic is a high priority in FCCI leadership groups and we'd be honored for you to consider joining hundreds of other Christian business leaders in one of our weekly or monthly business leadership groups.  Reach out to us through our website at fcci.org and we'd be thrilled to determine how we can best serve your Kingdom-driven values and goals.LINK to January 21, 2025 FCCI Webinar - Lead With Prayer, with guest Ryan SkoogKen Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives featuring John Beckett.  John D. Beckett grew up in Elyria, Ohio and graduated from M.I.T. in 1960 before working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. In 1963 he joined his father’s small manufacturing business, R.W. Beckett Corp., and became president in 1965 upon the death of his father. The company has grown to become a worldwide leader in producing engineered components for residential and commercial heating.Along with its affiliates, the company employs some 700 people. Mr. Beckett is a founding board member of The King’s College in New York City, serves on the board of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, and is a director of Graphic Packaging Corporation, a  NYSE-listed manufacturing company. He served as the college’s interim chairman from May 2007 to December 2008. His first book, Loving Monday: Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul, was published in 1998, and is now available in fourteen languages. His second book, Mastering Monday: A Practical Guide to Integrating Faith and Work, was released in July 2006. Mr. Beckett received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Spring Arbor University in 2002 and The King’s College in 2008.He was also named “Christian Businessman of the Year” by the Christian Broadcasting network (1999) and manufacturing “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young (2003). He resides in Elyria, Ohio with his wife of 47 years, Wendy. They have six children and eighteen grandchildren.Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

What is on the short list of what you will not compromise in business decisions, in those strategic growth opportunities, and in your sales process?  What serves as the foundational bedrock of those moral moorings in your life?On this episode, you'll hear about John Beckett's decision-making matrix and John also shares some fascinating insights from his industry connections…when hundreds of millions of contract dollars are left on the table to avoid a breach of integrity, stepping back from industry expectations that rules will be bent to close a deal.  It really takes some serious commitment to operate as a Christian in business, to make decisions that align with Kingdom operating procedures - and sometimes it does mean walking away from massive contracts.  Could you do it?  Have you done it?  Or are you wincing at the reality that you haven't represented God well in recent business dealings - putting your own success and pride above biblical standards?Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives featuring John Beckett.  John D. Beckett grew up in Elyria, Ohio and graduated from M.I.T. in 1960 before working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. In 1963 he joined his father’s small manufacturing business, R.W. Beckett Corp., and became president in 1965 upon the death of his father. The company has grown to become a worldwide leader in producing engineered components for residential and commercial heating.Along with its affiliates, the company employs some 700 people. Mr. Beckett is a founding board member of The King’s College in New York City, serves on the board of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, and is a director of Graphic Packaging Corporation, a  NYSE-listed manufacturing company. He served as the college’s interim chairman from May 2007 to December 2008. His first book, Loving Monday: Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul, was published in 1998, and is now available in fourteen languages. His second book, Mastering Monday: A Practical Guide to Integrating Faith and Work, was released in July 2006. Mr. Beckett received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Spring Arbor University in 2002 and The King’s College in 2008.He was also named “Christian Businessman of the Year” by the Christian Broadcasting network (1999) and manufacturing “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young (2003). He resides in Elyria, Ohio with his wife of 47 years, Wendy. They have six children and eighteen grandchildren.Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

Where is God active in your business right now?  How would you know?  What are you doing to join God is His Kingdom work?John Beckett has learned some hard lessons about values, culture, and has navigated some tough situations related to leadership promotions and even embezzlement by an employee.  And you might catch a glimpse of the timeframe of this recording when John speaks about the Enron scandal…don't miss his powerful statement about values and getting those values from words on a page to strategic implementation, down to traction in daily employee decision-making.  This is the real stuff of Christian business leadership, and it's typically not that easy!On this episode Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives that features John Beckett.  John D. Beckett grew up in Elyria, Ohio and graduated from M.I.T. in 1960 before working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. In 1963 he joined his father’s small manufacturing business, R.W. Beckett Corp., and became president in 1965 upon the death of his father. The company has grown to become a worldwide leader in producing engineered components for residential and commercial heating.Along with its affiliates, the company employs some 700 people. Mr. Beckett is a founding board member of The King’s College in New York City, serves on the board of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, and is a director of Graphic Packaging Corporation, a  NYSE-listed manufacturing company. He served as the college’s interim chairman from May 2007 to December 2008. His first book, Loving Monday: Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul, was published in 1998, and is now available in fourteen languages. His second book, Mastering Monday: A Practical Guide to Integrating Faith and Work, was released in July 2006. Mr. Beckett received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Spring Arbor University in 2002 and The King’s College in 2008.He was also named “Christian Businessman of the Year” by the Christian Broadcasting network (1999) and manufacturing “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young (2003). He resides in Elyria, Ohio with his wife of 47 years, Wendy. They have six children and eighteen grandchildren.Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.

You step into the family business to work alongside your father...within a little over a year, he passes away due to heart attack, the factory almost burns to ground, and you're wrestling with trying to understand how your faith intersects with the grind of business life.  Sound challenging enough?On this episode Ken Powell, host of FCCI's Pathway to Purpose podcast pulls a keynote presentation from the FCCI archives that features John Beckett.  John D. Beckett grew up in Elyria, Ohio and graduated from M.I.T. in 1960 before working as an engineer in the aerospace industry. In 1963 he joined his father’s small manufacturing business, R.W. Beckett Corp., and became president in 1965 upon the death of his father. The company has grown to become a worldwide leader in producing engineered components for residential and commercial heating.Along with its affiliates, the company employs some 700 people. Mr. Beckett is a founding board member of The King’s College in New York City, serves on the board of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, and is a director of Graphic Packaging Corporation, a  NYSE-listed manufacturing company. He served as the college’s interim chairman from May 2007 to December 2008. His first book, Loving Monday: Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul, was published in 1998, and is now available in fourteen languages. His second book, Mastering Monday: A Practical Guide to Integrating Faith and Work, was released in July 2006. Mr. Beckett received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Spring Arbor University in 2002 and The King’s College in 2008.He was also named “Christian Businessman of the Year” by the Christian Broadcasting network (1999) and manufacturing “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young (2003). He resides in Elyria, Ohio with his wife of 47 years, Wendy. They have six children and eighteen grandchildren.Visit the FCCI website to learn more about leadership content, events, conferences, and the free CONNECT app for the Christian business leader community.