Narrator: "God did not call me to be successful," Mother Teresa once said, "he called me to be faithful." This simple statement cuts through the noise of modern leadership theory, which often equates success with metrics, profit margins, and public acclaim. It poses a radical question: What if the ultimate measure of a leader isn't what they achieve, but who they are? What if the most profound impact comes not from mastering skills, but from embodying a set of core values? This is the challenging and transformative journey explored in Richard Stearns' book, EIGHT SESSIONS ON BECOMING A VALUES-DRIVEN LEADER. Stearns argues that for Christian leaders, the workplace is not just a place to earn a living; it's a platform to be an ambassador for Christ, where character, integrity, and faithfulness are the true markers of success.

Narrator: Before any leadership strategy can be effective, Stearns posits that a leader must first build a foundation on three pillars: surrender, sacrifice, and trust. This isn't about partial commitment; it's about total surrender of one's career, ambitions, and desires to God. The author illustrates this with the biblical calling of Peter and Andrew. These were professional fishermen, their identity and livelihood tied to their nets and their daily catch. When Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee and said, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people," their response was immediate and absolute. They left their nets—their entire careers—without hesitation. This act of sacrifice, of placing Christ's ambitions above their own, is presented as the starting point for any values-driven leader.

This is contrasted sharply with the story of the rich young ruler, a man who had followed the commandments but couldn't take the final step. When Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and follow, the man walked away sad because his wealth was an idol he couldn't surrender. For Stearns, this highlights a crucial truth: God wants all of us, not just the parts we're willing to give. This complete surrender, in turn, cultivates a deep trust that allows a leader to rise above daily crises. The book references Jeremiah 17, which describes a person who trusts in the Lord as a tree planted by water, its leaves always green, bearing fruit even in a year of drought. This is the kind of unshakable peace and perspective that a leader who has truly surrendered can bring to a turbulent workplace.

Narrator: Values-driven leadership is not passive; it is expressed through action, primarily through the pursuit of excellence and the practice of love. Stearns clarifies that excellence is not the same as winning. It's about striving to produce the best possible result one is capable of, working "with all your heart, as working for the Lord." The Parable of the Talents serves as a powerful illustration. A master gives three servants different amounts of money. Two invest their talents and double them, while the third, out of fear, buries his. The master rewards the first two not just for the outcome, but for their diligence and effort. He condemns the third for his inaction. This story shifts the focus from a potentially demoralizing outcome-based culture to a motivating effort-based one, where striving for one's best is what truly matters.

This pursuit of excellence must be paired with love, which Stearns calls a crucial leadership quality. He argues that effective leaders see their coworkers not as resources, but as people God loves. This means genuinely caring for them, respecting their ideas, and helping them realize their God-given potential. The book points to 1 Corinthians 13 as a practical framework for loving leadership: being patient and kind, not self-seeking or easily angered. The author shares a personal paradigm shift from his time at World Vision, where he realized that once you truly love someone, everything else flows from that. Love builds the trust that amplifies a leader's witness for Christ.

Narrator: A leader's influence is built on the bedrock of their character, specifically their humility and integrity. Stearns quotes Rick Warren to define humility not as thinking less of yourself, but as thinking of yourself less. It's the recognition that one's talents are gifts from God, meant to serve a purpose greater than personal gain. A humble leader, as described in Philippians 2, values others above themselves and looks out for their interests. This creates a collaborative environment where team members feel seen and valued.

Integrity is the other side of this coin, famously defined as doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Stearns emphasizes that integrity must be consistent across personal, relational, and corporate dimensions. A leader's private behavior is a powerful predictor of their public actions. Psalm 15 provides a compelling portrait of a person of integrity: one who leads a blameless life, speaks the truth, keeps promises even when it hurts, and refuses to be corrupted. A leader with this kind of integrity builds deep trust, which reduces fear and improves morale, allowing them to be a more effective ambassador for Christ.

Narrator: To move an organization forward, a leader must possess both vision and courage. Vision is the ability to create a clear and compelling picture of a better future and to instill a belief that it's achievable. This involves defining the current reality, articulating the desired future, and identifying the path forward. Without this, a team is left directionless.

However, vision is useless without the courage to pursue it, especially in the face of fear and opposition. The book uses the story of Moses confronting Pharaoh as a prime example. Moses, feeling inadequate and fearful, was tasked with a seemingly impossible mission: demand that the most powerful ruler in the world release his slaves. It was only through his faith in God's promise of support that he found the courage to act. Similarly, after Moses’s death, Joshua was commanded to be "strong and courageous" as he prepared to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. For Christian leaders, faith is the foundation of courage. It allows them to do the right thing and trust God with the outcome, inspiring calm and confidence in their teams even when facing immense challenges.

Narrator: Two of the most corrosive forces in any workplace are greed and broken relationships. Stearns argues that the antidote is found in the values of generosity and forgiveness. He warns that the love of money can quickly overshadow an organization's true purpose. The author shares a personal story of being tempted by a higher-paying job, only to have his wife wisely remind him, "Money is a lousy reason for doing anything." A generous leader treats money as a tool, not an idol, and consistently lifts the team's eyes to the higher purpose of their work.

Equally important is forgiveness. Workplaces are filled with imperfect people, and mistakes will be made. Leaders must model forgiveness by both offering it and asking for it. A public apology from a leader who has made a mistake can be a powerful act of vulnerability and integrity, restoring trust and fostering a culture of accountability. By modeling the grace described in Ephesians—"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you"—a leader can heal broken relationships and promote organizational health.

Narrator: Finally, Stearns emphasizes that sustainable leadership requires a well-tended inner life, marked by self-awareness and balance. Self-aware leaders understand their own weaknesses and the impact their actions have on others. They recognize that their intentions can be perceived differently by their team due to power dynamics, and they actively seek feedback to close this gap.

This awareness must be supported by a commitment to balance. The book uses the illustration of a jar that can be filled with walnuts (high priorities like faith, family, and rest) and rice (lesser demands). If you put the rice in first, the walnuts won't fit. But if you prioritize the walnuts, the rice can fill the empty spaces around them. Jesus himself modeled this, often withdrawing to lonely places to pray despite the immense demands of his ministry. A leader who fails to maintain this balance risks burnout and loses perspective. By establishing healthy boundaries, a leader not only protects their own well-being but also sets a positive example for their entire team.

Narrator: Ultimately, EIGHT SESSIONS ON BECOMING A VALUES-DRIVEN LEADER delivers a powerful and counter-cultural message: the primary duty of a Christian leader is not success, but faithfulness. The goal is not to climb a corporate ladder but to be an effective ambassador for Christ, transforming the workplace from the inside out. Stearns makes it clear that God doesn't call the qualified; He uses flawed, everyday people who are willing to surrender their ambitions and embody His values—values like humility, love, integrity, and courage.

The book's most challenging idea is its redefinition of work itself. It asks us to see our jobs not merely as a source of income, but as a divine assignment. It leaves the reader with a profound question: If you are Christ’s ambassador in your workplace, what message are your actions, your decisions, and your character sending to those you lead?