Full disclosure, I like shopping at Hobby Lobby. Perusing the aisles for nonessential holiday decorations or mini kitchen gadgets is relaxing. Don’t judge. I don\u2019t need to purchase anything, but getting lost in doing nothing for a few minutes while Christian music plays throughout the building is surprisingly peaceful, especially for a big retail store that always seem busy.<\/p>\n
Leadership NOT By The Book<\/em> was written by David Green, CEO and founder of Hobby Lobby with his longtime colleague\u00a0 Bill High. In a typical bookstore or library, this book would be found in the Morals and Ethics of Leadership section. When I first saw the book I was intrigued because I have personally seen two times where Hobby Lobby made decisions regarding their business practices that went against mainstream opinions of the time. I remember news channels reporting that people were urged to boycott the stores. The company took heat in the court of public opinion from those actions. I wanted to read about these from the founder\u2019s perspective and see how he navigated the rough waters, yet I thought it would be a fluff book. Thankfully, there is more to it. In this blog I will discuss some of the business practices that Hobby Lobby has been using for most of its fifty plus years in business. I will also share my take on this company, the media, and the eternal drive that motivates everyone associated with the company.<\/p>\n Green asked himself and his leadership team: If God owns the business, what would that mean? First he went to scripture, The earth is the Lord\u2019s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it\u201d, Psalm 24:1NIV.<\/strong> \u00a0That led him to \u00a0realize that since the people running the businesses were stewards of the business and the profits, they needed to run on Biblical principles, starting with tithing the revenues from their business sales[1]<\/a>. Yet 10% tithe wasn\u2019t enough. Today, Hobby Lobby donates 50% of their profits to various ministries that spread the Gospel. They reached that amount by opening more stores, increasing revenue, and paying off long-term debt. These are smart moves for any business. They saw that amount also inspired employees who liked sharing donations with others[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Green knew the business needed to run well. To that end, he said his business must:<\/p>\n Following these, Hobby Lobby encourages employees to put family over business[4]<\/a>. \u00a0Green sees the employees that come to Hobby Lobby as being placed there by God. He works to be just and fair with them, pray with them, and shares the message of salvation through Jesus. When this book was written, Hobby Lobby paid beginning front line employees far above the minimum wage of most states.<\/p>\n Commonsense practices are typical things that keep a company structured, knowledgeable of market trends, solid financially, and operating within the required State laws[5]<\/a>. Green says, stick to what you are good at doing, develop systems for employees to have structure to their work, put the customer first, and above all, honor God[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet, Christian values and beliefs set Hobby Lobby apart from segments of the American population. When Hobby Lobby decided not to open any of their stores on Sunday, they believed it was the right decision. But Sunday had been one of its most popular days. Hobby Lobby did this to obey the commandment to keep holy the sabbath as a day set apart[7]<\/a>. \u00a0Customers were not happy, but sales grew.<\/p>\n When the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2012, Hobby Lobby petitioned for an exemption from the requirement to provide a health care insurance option that included contraception and the morning after pill as a part of health insurance. In a case before the Supreme Court Hobby Lobby won. The backlash was quick from many directions. Papers were written calling it the Christian Right and predicting it would end up only helping attorneys who would be fighting the battles[8]<\/a>. People were calling for customers to boycott the store. \u00a0Surprisingly, Green\u2019s book did not dwell on the controversial decisions of Hobby Lobby. They were mentioned in less than a paragraph in relation to the family\u2019s commitment to honor God and families in them. Regardless of whether someone disagrees or not with them, it is inspiring that they prayerfully made decisions then stood by them.<\/p>\n As I read this book, I wondered how practices of Hobby Lobby might connect to my NPO that deals with women advancing into leadership positions. While there is minimal mention that his wife was part of the founding of Hobby Lobby with him, most of his mention of family, and his wife specifically, was limited to their time together on the Sabbath. Personally, I relate more to the acceptance of women in leadership as affirmed by Pastor Brett Fuller in High Ceilings<\/em> to understand the gifts of women in leadership[9]<\/a>.<\/p>\n If I had unlimited resources I would love to spend more time on the radical expression of Christian faith exercised by all in leadership at Hobby Lobby. Short of that, I conclude by saying I understand some people may believe that a private employer needs to provide all aspects of healthcare to their employees and that Hobby Lobby\u2019s wages might keep some employees working there for the money. Whether I agree or not with Hobby Lobby\u2019s decisions is immaterial. I have a lot of respect for the leadership of Hobby Lobby for working toward living out their beliefs in their personal and professional lives. David Green believes he is helping others prepare \u00a0for a better eternity and I agree.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> David Green with Bill High, Leadership NOT By The Book (Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Books, 2022),P 22<\/p>\n And, David Green, \u201cThe Green Family: Living and Giving Generously\u201d jesuscalling.com\/podcast\/living-giving-generously\/, Dec. 21, 2017, accessed 10\/29\/2024.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> David Green, 51.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> David Green, 16.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> David Green, 109.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> David Green, 149ff.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> David Green, 151,154.<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> David Green, 63.<\/p>\n\n