Latest / Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie-A Proverb Per Day Keeps Stinking Thinking At Bay / Marketplace Proverbs & Coffee With Ernie
Transcript
- 0:00SPEAKER_00: So, what do we want?
- 0:03SPEAKER_00: Why do we want it?
- 0:04SPEAKER_00: And how badly do we want it?
- 0:07SPEAKER_00: Those three questions reveal more about our priorities than we might care to admit.
- 0:15SPEAKER_00: But here's a question that might make us a little uncomfortable.
- 0:20SPEAKER_00: When was the last time we pursued wisdom with the same passion we pursue success?
- 0:28SPEAKER_00: Today, we are in Proverbs 2.
- 0:30[music]
- 0:38SPEAKER_00: Welcome to Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie,
- 0:42SPEAKER_00: where a proverb a day keeps stinking thinking at bay.
- 0:46SPEAKER_00: I'm Ernie Lansford.
- 0:48SPEAKER_00: After more than 60 years in sales and leadership,
- 0:52SPEAKER_00: I've learned that biblical wisdom is the most valuable asset we can carry into
- 0:58SPEAKER_00: the marketplace.
- 1:00SPEAKER_00: Each time I read Proverbs,
- 1:02SPEAKER_00: Scripture,
- 1:03SPEAKER_00: So pour yourself a cup of your favorite brew
- 1:05SPEAKER_00: and let's explore today's proverb together.
- 1:08[music]
- 1:23SPEAKER_00: Well, good morning,
- 1:24SPEAKER_00: and it's the second day of the month,
- 1:26SPEAKER_00: so that means we're in Proverbs 2,
- 1:29SPEAKER_00: and I'm going to be reading from my Maxwell Leadership Bible from
- 1:33SPEAKER_00: the New King James.
- 1:35SPEAKER_00: Quote, My son,
- 1:37SPEAKER_00: if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you,
- 1:42SPEAKER_00: so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding.
- 1:48SPEAKER_00: Yes, if you cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding.
- 1:55SPEAKER_00: If you seek her as silver and search for her
- 1:59SPEAKER_00: as hidden treasures." There are three questions every one of us must answer in life.
- 2:06SPEAKER_00: What do we want?
- 2:08SPEAKER_00: Why do we want it?
- 2:09SPEAKER_00: And how badly do we want it?
- 2:12SPEAKER_00: Now, those questions reveal our desires and our desires influence our decisions.
- 2:19SPEAKER_00: Notice the language Solomon uses in these four verses.
- 2:23SPEAKER_00: Receive, treasure, listen, incline, call out, seek, search.
- 2:33SPEAKER_00: These aren't passive activities.
- 2:35SPEAKER_00: They require intentional effort.
- 2:39SPEAKER_00: And Solomon compares the pursuit of wisdom to searching for silver or hidden treasure.
- 2:45SPEAKER_00: Imagine someone telling you there's a chest filled with diamonds buried somewhere
- 2:50SPEAKER_00: on your property.
- 2:52SPEAKER_00: Would you casually walk around hoping to stumble across them?
- 2:56SPEAKER_00: Well, of course not.
- 2:57SPEAKER_00: You start digging.
- 2:59SPEAKER_00: Why?
- 3:00SPEAKER_00: Well, because you recognize the value of what you're searching for.
- 3:04SPEAKER_00: And Solomon tells us that wisdom is worth that kind of pursuit.
- 3:09SPEAKER_00: So here's something that I've learned through my 60 plus years in the marketplace.
- 3:15SPEAKER_00: Some of the smartest,
- 3:16SPEAKER_00: most educated people I've encountered have made some remarkably foolish decisions.
- 3:23SPEAKER_00: You're looking at one of them.
- 3:25SPEAKER_00: Why is that?
- 3:26SPEAKER_00: Because intelligence and wisdom aren't the same thing.
- 3:31SPEAKER_00: Knowledge tells us what we can do.
- 3:34SPEAKER_00: Experience tells us what we've done before.
- 3:38SPEAKER_00: But wisdom helps us discern what we should do.
- 3:42SPEAKER_00: And that's especially important when we're dealing with people.
- 3:46SPEAKER_00: So how do we apply this to our work, our everyday, ordinary work in the marketplace?
- 3:51SPEAKER_00: Well, allow me to offer three practical application points.
- 3:56SPEAKER_00: First, let's examine what we're pursuing.
- 4:00SPEAKER_00: Are we chasing revenue, recognition, promotions, or just simply the next transaction?
- 4:07SPEAKER_00: Now, there's nothing wrong with some of those pursuits, but...
- 4:12SPEAKER_00: If you are equally passionate about gaining the wisdom to achieve those objectives
- 4:18SPEAKER_00: without compromising your integrity or damaging your relationship is the question.
- 4:25SPEAKER_00: And then second, let's become better listeners.
- 4:29SPEAKER_00: Solomon tells us to make our ears attentive to wisdom.
- 4:33SPEAKER_00: Think about that.
- 4:34SPEAKER_00: Think about your next customer conversation.
- 4:38SPEAKER_00: Are you listening to understand their needs or simply waiting for an opportunity
- 4:43SPEAKER_00: to present your solution?
- 4:45SPEAKER_00: Sometimes the wisest thing we can do is to stop talking.
- 4:50SPEAKER_00: And remember, God gave us two ears and one mouth.
- 4:54SPEAKER_00: Perhaps that's a lesson in that.
- 4:56SPEAKER_00: And third, let's seek wisdom before making decisions.
- 5:01SPEAKER_00: Before we make the important business decision,
- 5:03SPEAKER_00: let's just ask, is this simply I can do or is it something I should do?
- 5:09SPEAKER_00: Seek advice from people you trust.
- 5:12SPEAKER_00: Welcome constructive criticism.
- 5:14SPEAKER_00: And don't be afraid to admit it.
- 5:15SPEAKER_00: You don't have all the answers.
- 5:18SPEAKER_00: James 1.5 reminds us that when we lack wisdom,
- 5:22SPEAKER_00: we can ask God to give generously,
- 5:25SPEAKER_00: but we must recognize our need and be willing to ask.
- 5:31SPEAKER_00: So let me leave you with one of my customer success codes.
- 5:35SPEAKER_00: Desire determines what we pursue, and wisdom determines how we pursue it.
- 5:43SPEAKER_00: Well, thank you for joining me for this episode of Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee
- 5:48SPEAKER_00: with Ernie, where a proverb a day keeps stinking thinking at bay.
- 5:54SPEAKER_00: Please let me know your comments, ernie at ernie.coach.
- 5:59SPEAKER_00: And remember, chasing personal success is temporal.
- 6:07SPEAKER_00: Adding significance to others is infinite.
- 6:11SPEAKER_00: Make your day great.
- 6:12[music]