American Entrepreneur David Lisonbee Shares Factors for Success
David Lisonbee is an American entrepreneur and religious leader. He has dedicated his professional life to providing others with guidance and opportunity. Often, Lisonbee is asked to share his insights with university students. Over the years, he has distilled his principles for personal and professional success into “seven primary factors for making oneself indispensable.”
Each precept, Lisonbee argues, compliments the development of trust — which plays an essential role in our relationships (no matter whether those be familial, communal, or professional in nature).
The currency of trust accompanies unforeseen opportunity:
- A promotion, perhaps, at work
- A church calling
- Deeper relationships with one’s family and friends
A solid, honest, and authentic reputation that, as they say, proceeds oneself, is indeed indispensable.
How do we craft and foster a reputation that opens doors?
Following are some keen ideas shared by David Lisonbee:
1. Gratitude
“Remember the saying? Say please and thank you,” Lisonbee reminds us. “We live in a time when common courtesies and basic respect are often set aside. To get an idea across, it’s become acceptable to be offensive or personally insulting. However, one can disagree without being disagreeable.”
2. Dependability
Lisonbee puts: “We demonstrate dependability by arriving early and being prepared. Quality work within deadline expresses competence to others. Over deliver. Remember: Competence shows trustworthiness.
3. Responsibility
“To return what one borrows seems like a simple thing but is sorely under-practiced,” Lisonbee laments. “We are all interdependent. We need each other to live and succeed. From time to time, we require the help of another person. We borrow things, ideas, and inspiration. We must be sensitive to those who contribute to our success. We must return what we take and give the proper credit where credit is due.”
4. Accountability
“Finish what you start,” Lisonbee encourages young entrepreneurs. “And? Do it right. The world is full of unfinished, substandard projects.”
5. Respect
“Privacy is a sacred quality that, in various degrees, we share,” says Lisonbee. “Confidential information, in our personal and professional lives, is just that. We protect and develop our relationships by respecting one another’s privacy — as well the confidential information we are trusted with,” he further adds.
6. Civility
“Kindness and goodness are virtues for which we should all strive,” Lisonbee continues. We should be supportive of co-workers and superiors. Gossip does nothing but undermine relationships and erode the trust upon which they are based.”
7. Integrity
“Making and keeping promises is what this is all about,” Lisonbee shares. “Whether in the classroom, church, workplace, or marriage; whether to oneself or God, the promises we make and keep: these define us, these make us increasingly indispensable to those around us.”
In our ever-shifting world of planned obsolescence, David Lisonbee’s seven factors for indispensability and success provide welcome guidance to students, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in personal development. They are evergreen, timeless, and can be implemented no matter where you are, where you come from, and what your goal is in life.
