Mormon Businessmen
From MormonWikia
The reputation of Mormon businessmen is, in their viewpoint, highly-esteemed, as they believe that they work and lead in a manner conducive to the principles taught by Jesus Christ. In a business where competitors feel pressure to cheat their way to the top, seen through the ENRON and Imclone scandals, Mormons are proving that business and ethics go hand-in-hand. Not only are they playing fair, but they are finding success and profitibility through their equitable and uncorrupted practice of business. Many Mormons find themselves interested in business-related careers because of the emphasis placed on goals, objectives, and most importantly, people. Despite these lofty and admirable goals, Mormon businessmen are subject to the same temptations as non-Mormons and sometimes they are less than ethical in their business practices. Some Mormon businessmen have also been known to practice two sets of ethics, fair and generous when working with fellow Mormons and less fair and less generous when working with non-Mormons. This site explores elements of a healthy business, biographies of successful Mormon businessmen, and the Mormon Church's relationship to the business world. Many who find success in their business endeavors accredit much of their success to familial support and church membership. By practicing ethical business, Mormons can be missionaries throughout the world and enrich the lives of those they serve.
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[edit] Video: The Mormon Way of Doing Business
[edit] Lessons Learned at Church are Applicable in Business
For Mormons, religion has a huge influence on how they conduct business. A belief in the Mormon faith impacts relationships with employees, business partners, and competitors. It influences the manner in which they handle leadership, power, and their personal wealth.
On a smaller scale, the organization of a ward (local unit of the Mormon Church) can be compared to a business. The two main differences between a business and a local unit of the Church are the purpose of the organization (to make money versus improving the spiritual life of members) and the fact that in the Church people are all volunteers. If we keep this clear in our mind, however, we can try to compare the organization of a local unit of the Mormon Church to a small business.
For example, we could compare the bishop to a CEO (but a very good one, one who care for the people and not only of the "bottom line"). In fact, a Mormon bishop cares for the people in his congregation, listens to their concerns, gains a personal relationship, allocates positions, and oversees the operation of the ward.
The ward members also hold various positions of leadership within the congregation, and do their various tasks under the supervision of the bishop. In most cases, wards operate smoothly and successfully. Although ward members have different backgrounds and hold differing opinions, they are able to join together for a common purpose, to worship Christ and serve man. Because a spirit of service and respect is alive in a ward, people feel appreciated and motivated to work harder in their calling.
Mormon wards have performed acts of service throughout their church, communities, and the world because they are passionate about what they are doing and a spirit of good will is manifested. It is no wonder why people who grow up active in the church are finding success in running businesses. Throughout a Mormon’s lifetime, he or she will be called to serve in a variety of callings. They will work with children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly. They gain experience working with people of all ages, background, and different challenges. Many CEOs simply adopt the set-up of a Mormon ward and use it for a model to run their business.
[edit] Well-known Mormon Businessmen
Prominent Mormon business people include Stephen Covey, David Neeleman, Mitt Romney, Gary S Baughman, Kevin B. Rollins, Clayton M. Christensen, Daryl McBride, and Sheri Dew.
Visit [[1]Mormons in Business] for up to date news on Mormon business leaders.
[edit] Applying Christ's Message in Business
Jesus Christ’s central message during His earthly ministry was to “love one another.” CEOs are incorporating and running their businesses according to this ideology. When employees are cared for, respected, and loved, they perform better. When they feel they are an asset, when they feel they truly matter, they work harder. Treat each employee as if they are the most important person. Get to know them individually. Gain their loyalty by being loyal to them.
David Neeleman, the CEO of JetBlue Airlines is finding that loving his employees is directly correlating to the success of his business. In Jeff Benedict’s book, The Mormon Way of Doing Business, Neeleman exposes his secrets to success in business and interestingly, they all seem to be influenced by his membership in the Mormon Church. Despite being a powerful and successful CEO, he continues to work as an attendant on roundtrip flights, interacting with employees and customers. According to Neeleman, "If the CEO is down there helping employees tag bags and clean airplanes, employees feel better about going to work. People will go the extra mile for you. They know I'm not sitting in some part of the airplane where I don't want to be talked to. Instead, I hang out with crew members."
Neeleman accredits much of his professional success to simply treating people with dignity and respect. Neeleman makes a conscience effort to learn his employee's names, and helps with even menial tasks like cleaning the plane at the end of a flight. He leads his company free of pomp. Loyalty is formed between his employees and him. He strives to serve his employees and his customers. In order to serve, one must love the people he or she is serving. Mormons believe this principle is extremely important.
[edit] Why Do Mormons Tend to Excel in Business?
Why do Mormons make great business people? What is it about the Mormon lifestyle that naturally lends itself to a career in business? Generally, Mormons are organized, frugal, humble, kind, service-oriented, and hard-working. Mormon history exposes Mormons as a perseverant and strong-willed group of people. Mormons were run out of their first two settlements in Missouri and Nauvoo by angry mobsters who sought to destroy the Mormons. Yet, nothing hindered their testimony and desire to live the Mormon lifestyle in peace. Mormon pioneers inspire us to be strong and faithful people. Under the leadership of Brigham Young, many packed up their belongings and headed westward. When the saints reached Salt Lake City in the mid-1800s, they immediately began founding and operating their own businesses. Historically, the Mormons are an enterprising people.
The church has programs that teach business and leadership skills. Youth, as young as 12-years-old, hold positions of leadership within the church. Mormon youth have the unique opportunity of conducting meetings, planning activities, and giving speeches at a relatively young age. The Mormon youth program strives to instill self-esteem and independence in each young person. Although not sponsored by the church, many Mormon young men are encouraged to participate in the Boy Scouts of America program. Mormon youth participate regularly in service projects. Through these experiences, Mormon youth tend to be a savvy group. At the age of 19, all worthy Mormon young men serve a mission for the church. The missionary experience is demanding and teaches young men to love others and work hard. Missions transform boys into mature men. On the mission, many become better communicators and learn how to serve those around them. The missionary program calls young men to serve throughout the world, giving the opportunity to many to learn a foreign language. Many return and use their language skills in their careers. The mission essentially teaches young men how to live a regimented and organized life. They are already at an advantage. Many returned missionaries find success in sales because for two years, they convinced and persuaded people to believe in Christ, a message they are passionate about. The Mormon Church gives its members necessary skills needed to survive in the business world.
