info@integrus.org
Defining Your Non-Negotiables
April 25, 2024
Brent Monogue
Director of Strategic Engagement
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)
I find this familiar passage to be very powerful words for us as leaders. Not just because Jesus creates such great clarity for us as disciples, but because it illuminates a critical leadership principle. Jesus says that the entire Law hangs on these two simple truths — love the Lord and love others. If a disciple does these two things, then everything else falls into place. Think about it, if I truly love God and others, then being obedient to the remainder of the commandments (do not murder, do not lie, do not covet, etc.) becomes simple.
Jesus is saying these two behaviors are the non-negotiable behaviors for disciples.
Let me ask you, what are the non-negotiable behaviors in your organization? Have you defined them, and clarified them the way Jesus has?
Let me offer three potential non-negotiables your team could adopt:
- Integrity. It sounds so simple, but if we live with integrity as a team and as a company then nothing else matters. We also realized that if we live without integrity as a team and as a company, then nothing else matters.
- Service. At Integrus we intentionally identify everyone we serve as “partners”, not clients or customers. We aim to partner with everyone we serve, aligning ourselves to their mission, needs, and desires. Our goal is their success, not ours.
- Stewardship. Like most organizations, we are detailed and disciplined in the way we steward our money. However, we also desire to be as intentional with the way we steward the time and talents of our people. Our desire is to see every team member functioning at their “highest and best” which means we aim to have the right people, doing the right things, at the right time, with the right resources, and with the right relationships.
I hope these examples are helpful to you as you start to explore the non-negotiables of your team and your mission.
Our heart is to see you thrive and to support you in every possible way. That's why we've created a free tool for you and your team to use when defining your non-negotiables. Download your free copy here.
I'd love to hear your feedback on this blog post. Email me, or even better, use the link in the sidebar to schedule a free coaching session.
What Ashton Jeanty Taught Me About Leadership Grit
Build Stronger Relationships on Your Team with the CARE Tool
This is Lauren's Testimony
Great leaders know that words have power. The right phrases can build trust, strengthen teams, and create a culture where people thrive. In this post, we share simple yet impactful things great leaders say—and how they make a difference every day.
This blog by Lyle Wells explores key lessons from a former Executive Pastor on how to lead through chaos.
Lyle Wells shares the power of encouragement, teaching leaders how to speak life into others with intentional words. Learn how to uplift, inspire, and build stronger teams through meaningful affirmation and leadership insights. Discover the impact of encouragement today!
At Integrus Leadership, we are passionate about championing organizations whose leaders demonstrate a commitment to excellence and advancing the Kingdom of God. That's why we're highlighting these incredible teams through our Leaders We Love series. Here are four organizations we are thrilled to feature this month.
My prayer life as a leader has had its ups and downs. There are times when: I've prayed timidly, which is surprising because I am not a timid person. I've prayed feeling unworthy, even though I know in my heart that I am worthy to approach the throne of grace with boldness. Sometimes I wonder, "Who am I to ask for this?" I've prayed burdened, feeling the weight of the world's troubles and wondering if my personal requests are even valid. As we kick off a new year and launch our 30 Days of Prayer, I'm curious what your prayer life is like. Are you praying timidly, unworthily, or burdened? Or, are you praying with power, expectancy, and delight? And the harder question: Are you praying for your leadership, at work, or even in the midst of your work? Lately, I've realized that the most powerful leaders in Scripture were devoted to prayer. Hannah, from 1 Samuel 1 is a prime example. Hannah knew: The anguish of infertility. The pain of a broken heart The shame that comes with a body that does not cooperate with your deepest hopes. The mistreatment of a family member. The impact weak spiritual leadership could have in her country. The isolation of suffering in a society driven by evil. The feelings of worthless in a culture that didn’t value her. The confusion of prayers seemingly going unanswered. And yet, Hannah knew how to bring all her struggles to God in prayer.
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” Harry S. Truman Researchers have analyzed dozens of metrics, and time and time again, the results say the same thing: what separates the good leaders from the great leaders is their commitment to reading. If you want to improve your leadership skills, develop a healthy team, or foster a growth-oriented culture in your organization, start reading leadership books that will help lead yourself, lead a team, or lead an organization. Why Reading Makes Leaders Great Reading expands your viewpoint. In a way, reading books sits you down in front of the author, like a student before the teacher, as they tell you their story and impart their learned knowledge and wisdom. Reading sharpens your problem-solving skills. Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, “experience is the best teacher,” but we disagree; someone else’s experience is the best teacher! When we learn from the wins and losses of those who have gone before us, exposing the problems they have already solved (or not), it helps us analyze information more effectively. Reading fuels creativity and innovation. Books connect us with people who we might otherwise never have the opportunity to learn from, injecting fresh concepts and ideas into stale and stagnant thought patterns. Reading also equips leaders to adapt to change and embrace new strategies because “learning” sits at the core of reading. Reading triggers something inside us that says, “I’m open to new ideas,” readying ourselves for change. Our Staff’s Top Picks The Integrus team has put together a list of our top picks. We’re committed to providing you with insanely practical tools and resources to assist you on your leadership journey, and this list will help you get started on your reading journey to becoming a great leader. We’ve divided the list into 3 categories. These books will help you: lead yourself, lead others, and lead your organization. These books would also make great gifts or stocking stuffers. So, if you’re not sure what to get the leaders in your life for Christmas, this list will give you some ideas. Each of the books on this list have helped our team grow into healthy leaders who make up an effective team, so I am confident they will help you, too. Click the link below to view the 2025 Reading List our website. We’ve creating a page with all of these books linked directly to an online store. Our hope is that this makes it even easier for you to dip your toe in the pool of knowledge that awaits you.
Just days ago, I crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon, and I’m still riding the high of that experience—medal and all! After eight years of running and five dedicated months of training for this race, I faced unexpected challenges, including a foot injury that nearly sidelined me. These obstacles gave me deeper insights into leadership, lessons I’m excited to share with you. Patience and Persistence Matter Leadership, much like marathon training, is not a sprint. It’s easy to look at leaders and assume that progress is quick and linear, but the reality is often far different. Progress can be slow, non-linear, and full of unexpected twists and turns. During my training, there were days when progress felt almost nonexistent. Yet, those were the moments that mattered most—when I had to push through fatigue, self-doubt, and setbacks. True leaders understand that lasting success comes from staying the course, even when the path forward is uncertain and demanding. Setbacks Are Part of the Journey In both marathons and leadership, setbacks are inevitable. For me, it was a foot injury that flared up weeks before race day. In leadership, it might be unforeseen complications, such as strained resources or processes that don’t go as planned. These challenges can feel discouraging, but great leaders learn to pivot, adapt, and find creative solutions. Setbacks build resilience, and this resilience becomes the fuel that propels you toward future triumphs. Each challenge I overcame during my training helped me build mental and physical endurance for race day—and the same is true for leadership. Celebrate the Small Wins Marathons are long, and reaching each mile marker brings its own sense of achievement. Passing the 5-mile mark, reaching the halfway point, and finally seeing the finish line were moments I celebrated, even if just with a mental cheer. The same principle applies to leadership: every milestone, no matter how small, deserves recognition. These moments of celebration keep your team motivated and energized. They remind everyone that progress is happening, and that acknowledgment helps sustain the team’s drive toward bigger goals. As a leader, it’s essential to create an environment where small wins are appreciated and celebrated. While I know some of you, like my friend Kat, may joke that you'd only run if someone were chasing you, the lessons I took from the NYC Marathon extend far beyond running. I hope these insights inspire you to lead with patience, embrace resilience during challenges, and find joy in celebrating progress—whether you’re striving to complete a major organizational project or pursuing personal growth. Leadership, like marathon training, is a journey that tests us in countless ways, but the lessons along the way make all the difference. Keep pushing forward, celebrate the journey, and know that each step takes you closer to your finish line.
