One of the greatest things about the Bible is that it has stories and principles that can apply in every area of life. Even though it was written thousands of years ago, it is still very timely and applicable for things we are facing today.
Even though there was no position of “tech director” in the Bible, nor was there any type of electrical technology available, there are still plenty of tenets that can help guide us.
Let’s examine the life of Daniel, as an example.
One of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, Daniel stands now as a shining role model of someone who grew in influence and favor by making wise decisions, in addition to being filled with the presence of God.
I believe that we should all aspire for a life like Daniel’s: marked by wisdom, growing in favor, and having the ear of those in authority.
But how can his life lessons track with what we are facing today as church tech directors? When we first meet Daniel, shortly after the exile to Babylon, his lifestyle brings three key principles to the forefront that we can all still learn from as we try to embody a similar spirit of excellence:
1-Daniel was pleasant.
In the first part of Daniel 1:4 (NIV), a group of young Israelite exiles, of whom Daniel was a part, were initially described as “young men without any physical defect” and “handsome.”
While the idea of “handsome” can be very subjective (and attractiveness isn’t necessarily the point of this note), one commentary actually says that Daniel’s appearance was “pleasant.”
So what does it mean to have a pleasant appearance, and why does it matter?
Something pleasant is pleasing and agreeable to the senses. Thus, in how I handle and present myself to others, am I pleasing to their senses?
... if we are honest, sometimes we’re more focused on just surviving day-to-day instead of being “pleasant.”
For those of us who tend to work long and inconsistent hours, whether managing an install or prepping for a big event, if we are honest, sometimes we’re more focused on just surviving day-to-day instead of being “pleasant.”
Maybe we skip a shower for a day or two, or we roll straight out of bed, throw on a cap to cover our bed-head, and then head into work. Dressing nicely is less important than being comfortable or ready to get dirty, so maybe sometimes we’re unconcerned with whether we look frumpy or mismatched.
Perhaps we chug so much coffee for the caffeine benefit we don’t realize how our “coffee breath” has given us a certain reputation with others.
Or maybe we’re so concerned with just maintaining our existence that the environment around us, whether a booth, storage closet, or office, has become a landing place for clutter and junk, which makes us, as people, seem less “pleasing to the senses” just because of the ecosystem in which we work.
The point is, a spirit of excellence is a message carried by everything we do and isn’t just limited to how hard we work or how smart we are.
As Daniel modeled, being excellent is a lifestyle choice, because it requires a focus on and attention to detail in every aspect of our lives.
And by intentionally working to create a pleasant demeanor or perception in others, I can give them confidence in who I am and what I’m capable of. I can show that nothing is too small to not get my best level of attention.
As Daniel modeled, being excellent is a lifestyle choice, because it requires a focus on and attention to detail in every aspect of our lives.
Think of it this way: if I went to see a doctor or lawyer or a similar type of working professional who is known for their training and ability, yet their office or workspace was messy and chaotic, and they themselves seemed unkempt and unconcerned with their appearance, then I’m probably not going to overlook all of those things just because they’re supposed to be a smart and well-trained person. Their ability to create a positive or negative first impression will either build or erode my confidence in them and my willingness to trust them to help me out.
Now, beyond just the idea of grooming or appearance, consider the fact that being “pleasant” also has a lot to do with demeanor. Someone pleasant probably smiles a lot, seems friendly and engaging, and likely presents themselves as someone I would want to engage with.
Am I that person, or do I actually push people away without realizing why? Honestly, I may be well-groomed and neat, but if my facial expressions are off-putting and people think I seem grouchy all the time, I can end up with just as negative of a reputation.
The goal is to present myself as inviting. Do my demeanor and presentation inspire confidence in others and allow them to feel relaxed and at ease around me? That’s the first big step to exhibiting a spirit of excellence.
2-Daniel had the potential to learn.
As the second part of Daniel 1:4 (NIV) notes, these young men also were “showing aptitude for every kind of learning.”
And this is a key distinction. They didn’t already know everything, but they showed the ability or potential to learn.
This is not possible to do without a humble and teachable spirit. But if we’re being honest, how many of us struggle with this? I know I do at times.
In a role like ours, where we’re expected to be the go-to for everything, and there’s an expectation of our ability to solve problems and pull rabbits out of hats, we have to embody some level of confidence in our abilities or else we’ll get eaten alive.
... it can get really easy to get defensive when we are challenged with new or different ideas....
But at the same time, it can get really easy to get defensive when we are challenged with new or different ideas, or we can push back against others who think they have a better way, or we can feel too insecure to admit failure or weakness.
Unfortunately, none of these natural responses are part of us being humble, teachable, or having the potential to learn more.
I imagine that if Daniel so greatly embodied this potential to learn, he must have asked a lot of questions. He probably was quick to realize that he didn’t know everything, but was willing to make every opportunity he was in a learning one.
Am I willing to do that? Do I see every encounter or meeting as an opportunity for me to learn and grow, regardless of who I’m around? Or do I perhaps get so focused on giving my own opinion and sharing what I know that I’m not able to see what I can learn from others?
John Maxwell often notes that leaders are learners, and the best leaders exhibit a lifestyle of learning. And that’s a key pillar of an excellence mentality, as well. I’ve never arrived, I can always grow and get better, and I should always be willing to seek out new ways to improve and grow.
John Maxwell often notes that leaders are learners, and the best leaders exhibit a lifestyle of learning.
Plus, by asking questions and seeking out additional information, I’m also showing that I’m never satisfied with where I’m at. My current environment can always be better, any obstacle can be overcome, and my outcome doesn’t always have to be dictated by my circumstances.
This mentality of striving to be better will ultimately boost our favor with those in authority and open up countless doors that otherwise might never be opened--simply because I’m more focused on solving problems than accepting them.
3-Daniel was polite.
In Daniel 1:8 (NIV), we see that “Daniel resolved” what he wasn’t willing to do, and “asked the chief official for permission” to do something different.
Now, for many of us technicians, resolving to do something and standing our ground probably isn’t that hard. We tend to be very opinionated and can easily dig in our heels when we’re challenged on something we believe in strongly.
But the impressive part about Daniel is how he handled his resolve.
He wasn’t offensive, sarcastic, condescending, or tactless, which, honestly, many of us might struggle with from time to time. Sometimes it becomes really easy to be blunt and point out the black and white of why we are right and others are wrong, often creating enemies or naysayers during the process.
But instead of doing those things, Daniel approached the matter politely with those in authority.
While he was bold in his convictions and possessed the courage to stand up for them, he made sure to show respect for the process and honor those in authority, which ultimately helped him gain favor.
Many times, I’m convinced that there are others on our ministry teams who would gladly and willingly be open to our suggestions and feedback if we simply packaged things differently. Perhaps we could come across as more of a partner and less of an adversary, or perhaps we could show more consideration or acceptance of others’ vision instead of seeming dismissive.
Perhaps we could come across as more of a partner and less of an adversary, or perhaps we could show more consideration or acceptance of others’ vision instead of seeming dismissive.
How we package our feedback and perspective can often be as important (or more so) than our feedback itself. And part of carrying an excellent spirit is that we continue to show value and appreciation for others. It’s not always about me, but I need to stay concerned with how I make others feel.
Even when Daniel was challenged in his convictions and knew he had to take a stand, he still managed to do it in a way that showed honor for those in authority and reflected understanding and empathy for the things (traditions and customs) that those around him saw as important.
By taking this approach, Daniel generated compassion and favor, and the official was willing to trust Daniel’s feedback enough that he quite literally put his life in Daniel’s hands.
When I interact with others, I want them to leave that experience feeling uplifted, encouraged, valued, and better than they were before they came into contact with me. And this can happen regardless of whether we are agreeing or disagreeing on an item.
When I interact with others, I want them to leave that experience feeling uplifted, encouraged, valued, and better than they were before they came into contact with me.
But I have to be intentional in my approach, knowing that what I say and how I say it carries weight.
As Daniel showed, living a lifestyle of excellence is really embodying a spirit that undergirds all that we think and do. It’s not just about actions and procedures, but it’s about an approach that is pervasive in every area of my life.
Daniel may not have been a technician, but he certainly modeled principles that we can all still learn from today.
