Findawayers

Recently my brother-in-law (Christopher Celeste) wrote this blog post about his company, and its core values. In particular, he argued that “findawayers” (the company he helped to found is called FindawayWorld):

Findawayers believe nothing is impossible.

Findawayers can be old or young, rich or poor, well schooled or simply well seasoned. They can be articulate and inspiring, or quietly effective. They can exist at every level of an organization — from the college intern to the Founder & President.

Findawayers value creativity more than authority, tenacity as much as raw talent, and shared success over personal rewards. They get things done, but have fun along the way. And they recognize that humility, like a rising tide, lifts all boats, while a weighty ego acts as an invisible anchor that holds back innovation and growth.

Findawayers dig in just when others check out. They get up when others would give up. And they take “no” as a personal challenge, not as a final answer.

Findawayers are brave enough to look stupid while trying something new, and smart enough to embrace a good idea even if it’s not their own. They seldom take credit, but always take responsibility. They like to solve problems without taking sides. And they treat everyone with respect regardless of rank.

Findawayers are not defined by their circumstances, but instead by their attitude. They don’t measure success by how much they earn, but instead by how much they contribute.

In the end, Findawayers change the world around them for the better because they believe in themselves, and the full potential of every peer, every partner and every possible idea they encounter.</blockquote>

What I find fascinating about these commitments is that they are the kind of statements I would hope to find in a religious organization. The only difference might be that a religious organization would have a rather different take on the last statement. Christians, for instance, might argue that such beliefs/commitments flow out of a central belief in God's creative agency in the midst of human activity.

I can't help wondering/worrying about whether or not young people are finding more agency and creativity amidst the business world than in religious community (not that those are necessarily two separate endeavors, but far too many religious communities have little if any entrepreneurial spirit these days).