Here are some words about me. These blog posts are based on a 50-year professional career. I’m combining that professional experience with a multi-year study of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
I’m an experienced leader and Bible teacher who helps growth-oriented professionals intentionally absorb and apply the universal precepts, so they become wise hearted and wise behaving.
About This Blog
Although I finished my career as an academic, these blog posts are not an academic study of Proverbs.
The observations in Proverbs certainly match well with research-based studies. For example, Proverbs strongly emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset and the foolishness of a fixed mindset.
Conversely, Proverbs isn’t simply seat-of-the-pants observations.
In fact, the writer was highly successful.
Moreover, the precepts in Proverbs have been successfully applied for thousands of years. For instance, in Proverbs 1.1-7 we see mental models such as a growth mindset, circle of competence, and sow/reap.
Successful leaders have applied these precepts, and others, for generations.
Value Added
So, where’s the value added to studying Proverbs?
The unique value added of Proverbs, for a professional, is the addition of spiritual insight.
In both Proverbs 1.7 and Proverbs 9.10 we read that reverence is the foundation or the starting point for all wisdom.
You’re welcome to argue that point. Regardless, that’s the basis for the precepts that follow.
Therefore, what Solomon adds that’s missing in both academic studies and casual observation is the absolute importance of a spiritual life for a leader.
In fact, when a leader adopts the perspective found in Proverbs, that leader immediately grasps the critical differentiation provided by divine guidance and Godly intervention in his or her leadership.
My Career Path
After working nearly full-time all the way through bachelors and master’s degrees, I spent twelve years in industry.
My industry experience was in retailing, information systems, and manufacturing. I’ve done cold-call selling, managed a small retail store, as well as major account management for a Fortune 200 firm.
That time in industry was followed by a 30-year academic career in two different state universities. In between industry and academia was three years for graduate school and a Ph.D.
Academic Career
For the last 15 years of my academic career I was an associate dean, then dean, of an 1800-student business school.
As associate dean, I managed all the internal operations of the school, such as budgeting and academic program management. Then, in my free time, I served a term on the board of the local Chamber of Commerce!
One of the highlights of my professional development was a one-year fellowship as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow. I spend the year learning about life in, and the operation of, a private university.
Additionally, I had stints as an interim academic department chair, interim dean, and interim associate provost. For several years, I also co-chaired the committee that was overseeing the execution of the university’s strategic plan.
As dean, I handled externals such as accreditation, the advisory board, and fund raising, as well as serving on the Council of Deans and other university-level committees.
The Learning Process
Daily Bible study in the wisdom literature provides me a way to combine professional growth with practical spiritual insights.
What I read and write about in my first hour each morning I apply during the day.
I share in this blog what I’ve learned from these timeless precepts and have applied in my professional life. In addition, I also make available a weekly Bible study of the life of leaders from scripture, such as Solomon.
By the way, I write the paraphrases of the scripture verses found in these posts.
I trust you find these precepts as practical as I have.
God’s grace and discernment to you!
By the way, I’m active on LinkedIn and invite you to follow me there for my regular posts.