Stakeholder
“External stakeholders generally don't have ‘skin in the game,’ meaning they haven't invested any personal or organizational funds to the company. These stakeholders don't vote on company decisions. However, the external stakeholder is concerned with decisions a company makes and may meet with leadership or present information to the board of directors to review ideas, community concerns, and other issues.”
There is an excellent story in the bible that redefines the concept of family. Jesus is hanging out with the disciples, speaking to a crowd, when his blood relatives (brothers and mother) show up and ask to see him. He turns to his disciples and says, “Here are my mother and brothers. For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
He is clearly defining family as more of a spiritual construct rather than a biological one. And this isn’t the only time; he is continually talking about the Kingdom of heaven and how things are defined differently there than the way the world thinks.
When we talk about our coaching business, we are starting to define things similarly. Who has equity in our company or who is employed by us is beginning to matter less. Who is invested in what we are doing is starting to matter more. The words of Dan Allender, frequently quoted here, are taking on a life of their own:
“Find like-hearted kings living in the same direction.
Sign treaties with them.
When they are at war, you are at war.”
Our tribe is growing, can be found on several continents, and transcends any legal definition of ownership or employment. But these stakeholders all have a Kingdom vested interested in where our business goes next and how it gets there. They are feeling what we would like them to feel, a sense of ownership.
A few weeks ago, we had our first of many gatherings. While we have ad hoc ones with one or more of these stakeholders, this meeting was designed for this express purpose. We had no real agenda until that morning. God visited us very early in the morning and shared with us what he wanted us to do:
Honor them and let them know how we feel about them
Invite them into the larger story of what God is up to
Remind them of the crucial hour we are living
Pray for them
Invite them to pray and offer discernment for us
It was one of the more precious and powerful gatherings I have ever experienced—so much sense of Kingdom. Discernment, clarity, and confirmation were flowing freely. We have such a deep affection for everyone on our team, and every stakeholder gathered. Both kings and queens. Sitting around that table felt rare, uncommon, and holy.
My other thought was that I want everyone to be able to experience something similar. I will likely begin recommending that my clients start to create similar tribes around them. To start identifying the people who believe in them, are interested in their success, and align around the things that truly matter.
It has always been valuable.
It is becoming essential.
Consider
Do you know others living in the same direction as you?
Are you aligned with them formally?
Have you ever gathered with them and sought their discernment and advice?
Do you think that would be beneficial to your business?