The Culture Drivers of Business

There are four general drivers of business: Principles, People, Practices, and Performance. When studied as a framework, these drivers form a 4x4 matrix—each discipline aligning with a specific driver. Over the following sections, we will expand this matrix to identify a specific driver for each of the four Disciplines of business.

This framework, known as the High Impact System (HIS), serves as a problem-solving tool that improves business performance. Mastering this system equips you with a powerful approach to building a thriving enterprise.

Drivers and Disciplines of a Flourishing Business - Enterprise Stewardships

Let's begin with the first driver: Principles.

Principles: The Foundation of Business

The word principle originates from an old term meaning first—the essential foundation of anything. In business, Principles define how you operate, setting the bedrock values that build trust and long-term success.

Each of the four Disciplines of Business embodies a guiding Principle that drives performance:

Honor God – The Principle that drives PURPOSE. By honoring God in business, we align with biblical wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This supernatural connection provides the clarity and wisdom needed to navigate the complex world of business.
Serve People – The Principle that drives STRATEGY. Business success comes from serving two groups: external customers (who buy because you solve a problem) and internal customers (team members who thrive in a flourishing workplace).
Pursue Excellence – The Principle that drives OPERATIONS. Customers buy because you solve a problem with quality, efficiency, and excellence. As competition increases, excellence becomes the standard. Excellence honors God and inspires people.
Steward Capital – The Principle that drives EXECUTION. Business execution generates profit and capital, creating economic, social, and spiritual value. Like the Parable of the Talents, we must steward resources wisely in a way that honors God.

With these Principles established, let’s move on to People.

People: The Heart of Business

A business has no heart, soul, or life—its impact comes from the People within it. The culture and effectiveness of a business depend on the personal attributes of its team members.

There are four essential People attributes required to exemplify the business Principles:

Character – Supports PURPOSE (Honor God)
Connection – Supports STRATEGY (Serve People)
Competence – Supports OPERATIONS (Pursue Excellence)
Commitment – Supports EXECUTION (Steward Capital)

1. Character: Living with Integrity

The People attribute required to Honor God is Character—the foundation of leadership and decision-making.

Character is Lordship—submitting our desires to God’s will. As the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Three key virtues shape Character:

Truth – The relentless pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
Faith – An unshakable belief in the truth.
Action – The discipline to live out what we know is right.

2. Connection: Building Relationships for Success

The People attribute required to execute Strategy (Serve People) is Connection—the ability to relate to and motivate others.

Three key virtues shape Connection:

Vision – Seeing what needs to be done.
Humility – Recognizing that success is only possible with God and others.
Courage – Persevering through challenges.

3. Competence: The Pursuit of Excellence

The People attribute required to drive Operations (Pursue Excellence) is Competence—the ability to execute with skill and precision.

Three key virtues shape Competence:

Expertise – Deep knowledge of your business and industry.
Innovation – The mindset that processes can always improve.
Discipline – Relentless pursuit of operational excellence.

4. Commitment: The Key to Execution

The People attribute required for Execution (Steward Capital) is Commitment—the determination to follow through.

Three key virtues shape Commitment:

Perspective – Knowing you are a steward, not an owner.
Integrity – Aligning actions with the principles of stewardship.
Generosity – Using financial, relational, and spiritual capital to benefit others.

With Principles and People in place, we now focus on Practices—the operational habits that drive success.

Practices: The Operational Habits That Create Results

While Principles and People form the foundation, Practices shape day-to-day execution. Practices are the structured systems and behaviors that ensure consistency in business operations.

Each business Discipline has a corresponding Practice that ensures success:

Vision Alignment – Aligns with PURPOSE (Honor God)
Customer Experience – Aligns with STRATEGY (Serve People)
Process Mastery – Aligns with OPERATIONS (Pursue Excellence)
Financial Stewardship – Aligns with EXECUTION (Steward Capital)

Mastering these Practices builds a business that thrives on efficiency and effectiveness.

Performance: The Measure of Success

Finally, Performance is the ultimate test of business effectiveness. Without strong Principles, People, and Practices, achieving high Performance is impossible.

Each business Discipline has a Performance Metric that determines success:

Kingdom Impact – Measures alignment with PURPOSE (Honor God)
Customer Satisfaction – Measures success in STRATEGY (Serve People)
Operational Excellence – Measures effectiveness in OPERATIONS (Pursue Excellence)
Financial Strength – Measures sustainability in EXECUTION (Steward Capital)

These metrics ensure that your business is not just surviving but truly thriving.