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Abstract

The study investigates the relationship between the exercise of religious faith by the leader, and goal achievement, self fulfillment, and community good. Results support the premise that entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officers who "always" consciously apply the teachings of their religion during the daily decision making process, attain superior goal achievement results over those CEOs who "never" apply the teachings of their religion. CEOs of faith have more profitable companies and greater annual, personal net worth increases. They rank in the top quartile of questionnaire results that measure business acumen, leader performance, and organizational goal achievement skills. They are quick to point out that the intensity of one's religion is not necessarily tied to good times and positive increases in net worth. Research results support its value in times of stress, turbulence, instability, and trouble. The CEO of faith also has less focus on profits and wealth, and indicates that their superior profit performance is a by-product of religion based practices. Their personal lives benefit from a stronger feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction as well as better health. Community involvement is evidenced by charitable contributions far exceeding those less intense in the application of their faith. Practices of the CEO of faith are characterized by emphasis on service to others, faith that everything will turn out for the best, and the view that the company is simply a vehicle to carry one to their personal goals. Type of religion is important with Protestants and Born Again Christians dominating the top performing category. Although CEOs of faith exhibit superior governance skills, they are under represented in large companies. The research signals a convergence between the results obtained from the conscious application of historically based and validated religious teachings, and the scientific "one best way" as championed by business scientists Frederick Taylor, the Gilbreths, and Rensis Likert.

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The Leader and Religious Faith

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