These posts are adapted from Donald Keough’s excellent book The Ten commandments for Business Failure. This book was such an excellent source of common sense and probable one of the best books I’ve read in some time.

A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world. –John le Carre

There is nothing that can assure failure better than keeping yourself cut off from everyone – both those who are supposed to be working with you and those you’re trying to minister to. Get together with a small group of like minded inflexible individuals and keep your focus on that circle.

Under no circumstances should you interact with the common rabble or the undesirables. As a follower of Christ, you are special and there is no reason to associate with people who do not share your view of things, no matter how off base it is.

Of course, Paul reminded the Corinthians that he had become “all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” [1 Corinthians 9:22]. And he often spoke from within the context of those he was trying to minister to. And there is that whole incarnation thing where Jesus became one of us so he could know us better and lead us into salvation.

But don’t let that stop you. You just circle those wagons and focus on the conversation with others who are just like you. That’s a definite step in the wrong direction, sure to bring about failure for not just you but everyone else in your circle.