Eight years ago, I launched my business, and as I jumped out from my corporate life at 41, I was driven by a desire for freedom. I decided to implement what I learned in The Master’s Program: to live a life operating in my unique genius, maximizing my work to gain control over my time—something I couldn’t envision achieving in the corporate world. At 41, you might think, “That’s a lot of risk to take on, Jeff, giving up 20 years of work to start all over again.” 

Yes, it was, but this is precisely the process we encourage at Priority Living: work less, make more, and use your freedom to live on faith, which inherently involves taking risks. I leaped, trusting God to guide me in serving the Middle East and the persecuted church, areas I’m deeply passionate about. As I ventured into this Kingdom Leadership world, a pivotal question emerged, not just for myself but for all the TMP members I serve. How can you structure your business so it runs itself while only requiring the best of you, thus freeing you to use your unique genius in family and Kingdom endeavors? The answer is this… clarity, but how do you get it?

There are six questions for clarity that I pose to leaders and organizations that I consult with. 

The second of these six questions is about values. What are your values, or how do you behave? What do you want said about you when you come into the room?  

This isn’t just about listing what you believe in; it’s about how these values shape every decision, every action in your life. Clarity in values leads to an autonomous organization where every team member understands the why behind the what. 

Let’s dive deeper into this. When you define your values, you’re not just setting guidelines but creating a culture. A culture that doesn’t need you to micromanage because everyone knows what’s expected, what’s acceptable, and what’s exceptional. This clarity allows for a business that runs smoothly even when you’re not there, giving you the freedom to focus on what you’re uniquely equipped to do. 

Now, let’s talk about implementation. How do you actually integrate these values into your daily operations? It starts with communication. Every meeting, every email, every project should communicate these core values. It takes consistency – ad nausem. You’ll want to sound like a broken record.  You’ll know your doing this right when people imitate you saying it.

When your team sees these values in action, not just words but deeds, they begin to embody them.  When you and your team measure these values everyone will lean in.

This leads to another question: How do you measure success in terms of values? It’s not just about profit margins or growth rates (all good things).  Success in this context is about alignment—how closely your business operations align with your stated values. Are your decisions, big or small, reflecting what you claim to stand for? 

Finally, consider this: living by your values might mean making tough calls. It might mean turning down profitable ventures that don’t align, or it might mean investing in initiatives that do, even if the financial return isn’t immediate or certain. But here’s the truth—over time, aligning with your values doesn’t just free you; it often leads to more sustainable, meaningful success that has eternal significance. 

So, as you ponder your business or career, ask yourself: What are my values? And more importantly, how am I integrating them every day? Because in answering these questions, you’re not just building a business; you’re crafting a life of purpose, freedom, and impact.

At Priority Living we are all about preparing Christian leaders to change their world and build God’s Kingdom through their irresistible lifestyles and influential works of service.  Our values are inviting, replicating, and gathering.  We get to do this through our flagship brand The Master’s Program.  Join us at one of our LifeMastery Summits to see how your life could leverage your success into significance.

In your corner,
Jeff

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