Friday, January 18, 2008 at 12:12am
Biblical principles in Kenyan business
Column: Executive Soul
Gerald Macharia, a Kenyan business executive, lives by his Christian faith. In business, as in all other aspects of his life, he seeks God's guidance. Macharia turns to the Bible for direction in his work:
"I really admire Jesus and the way he approached things. He would probably be my best management guru and leadership guru. And basically the gospels and the epistles are very, very rich in leadership principles."
Macharia, blessed with considerable gifts in helping companies grow and turning around troubled companies, understands his gifts as God-given. He believes that, in the creation story in Genesis, humans were directed to use their gifts:
"Our role was to maintain the good. So we can't sit back and admire creation; we have to work at it, to maintain the goodness. Wherever I go, I see opportunities, and I turn those opportunities into real benefit for the people, for whomever the stakeholders are. That is my role in the calling to shepherd creation."
Macharia has shepherded creation well. At age 26, he turned around a division of a multinational company. A few years later, he served on a leadership team to develop products for the South market, the non-European, non-American market, for Colgate-Palmolive. At age 32, he became CEO of Kenfin, a Kenyan financial services company, and he turned it around in seven months, bringing it back to profitability.
After his tenure at Kenfin, Macharia accepted an invitation to head up Faulu Kenya, a Christian microfinance institution. Macharia transformed Faulu Kenya from an NGO into a commercial microfinance institution, growing it by leaps and bounds, all the while maintaining its Christian orientation. He also spun off another company from Faulu Kenya, which, within a few years later, had become a two and a half million-dollar company.
Macharia's reputation for integrity has earned him both friends and enemies. When encountering envy for his success or anger at his refusal to compromise his principles, he turns to biblical characters as role models. He remembers that God's people throughout history have often suffered for their adherence to principles, and he turns to God for strength and guidance. When he has faced social vilification and trumped-up charges in court, Macharia has trusted God to bring him through the trials.
Macharia is now the Clinton Foundation's representative in Kenya, heading up microfinance initiatives, as well as CEO of his own consulting company. His track record has demonstrated that living by biblical principles in business pays off. He has made an impact financially, turning businesses around and growing businesses dramatically. He has made an impact socially, strengthening microfinance and the lives it supports. And he has made an impact for his faith, showing those around him that living by Christ's principles can benefit everyone.
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Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations," works with leaders in business, healthcare, government and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. © Copyright 2008 by Margaret Benefiel.
"I really admire Jesus and the way he approached things. He would probably be my best management guru and leadership guru. And basically the gospels and the epistles are very, very rich in leadership principles."
Macharia, blessed with considerable gifts in helping companies grow and turning around troubled companies, understands his gifts as God-given. He believes that, in the creation story in Genesis, humans were directed to use their gifts:
"Our role was to maintain the good. So we can't sit back and admire creation; we have to work at it, to maintain the goodness. Wherever I go, I see opportunities, and I turn those opportunities into real benefit for the people, for whomever the stakeholders are. That is my role in the calling to shepherd creation."
Macharia has shepherded creation well. At age 26, he turned around a division of a multinational company. A few years later, he served on a leadership team to develop products for the South market, the non-European, non-American market, for Colgate-Palmolive. At age 32, he became CEO of Kenfin, a Kenyan financial services company, and he turned it around in seven months, bringing it back to profitability.
After his tenure at Kenfin, Macharia accepted an invitation to head up Faulu Kenya, a Christian microfinance institution. Macharia transformed Faulu Kenya from an NGO into a commercial microfinance institution, growing it by leaps and bounds, all the while maintaining its Christian orientation. He also spun off another company from Faulu Kenya, which, within a few years later, had become a two and a half million-dollar company.
Macharia's reputation for integrity has earned him both friends and enemies. When encountering envy for his success or anger at his refusal to compromise his principles, he turns to biblical characters as role models. He remembers that God's people throughout history have often suffered for their adherence to principles, and he turns to God for strength and guidance. When he has faced social vilification and trumped-up charges in court, Macharia has trusted God to bring him through the trials.
Macharia is now the Clinton Foundation's representative in Kenya, heading up microfinance initiatives, as well as CEO of his own consulting company. His track record has demonstrated that living by biblical principles in business pays off. He has made an impact financially, turning businesses around and growing businesses dramatically. He has made an impact socially, strengthening microfinance and the lives it supports. And he has made an impact for his faith, showing those around him that living by Christ's principles can benefit everyone.
— — —
Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations," works with leaders in business, healthcare, government and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. © Copyright 2008 by Margaret Benefiel.