Christian Business Concepts
Christian Business Concepts
Biblical Principles for Excelling as a Number Two
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Have you ever wondered what makes someone an exceptional second-in-command? In leadership conversations, we often focus on the person at the top, but behind every great leader stands someone who amplifies their vision and transforms dreams into tangible impact.
This episode explores the biblical principles of being a great "number two" – a role that combines humility with competence and faithfulness. Through powerful examples like Timothy serving under Paul, Joshua supporting Moses, and Jonathan standing with David, we uncover the spiritual foundations that make support roles not just necessary but noble.
The most effective leaders surround themselves with exceptional seconds-in-command who complement their weaknesses and create harmony between vision and action. As Harold explains, "You can never be promoted until you become overqualified for your current position" – a biblical principle that transforms how we approach our current roles.
We also examine modern business examples like Gwen Shotwell at SpaceX and Sheryl Sandberg at Facebook, whose operational excellence has translated ambitious visions into world-changing companies. Their stories demonstrate how number twos bridge the crucial gap between strategy and execution.
Whether you're currently in a supporting role or leading an organization, you'll gain practical wisdom on cultivating a servant's heart, aligning with vision, providing wise counsel, and fostering team unity. The episode addresses common challenges like feeling undervalued and balancing loyalty with honest feedback.
Being a great number two isn't about being second-best—it's about faithfully stewarding responsibilities while reflecting Christ's character. As you excel in this role, you'll not only strengthen your organization but prepare yourself for future leadership opportunities in God's perfect timing.
Welcome to the Christian Business Concepts with your host, harold Milby. Christian Business Concepts is dedicated to guiding companies and business owners in becoming effective, efficient and successful through God's Word and godly principles. Now, here's your host, harold Milby.
Speaker 2:Thanks, kelly, and welcome everyone to this week's Christian Business Concepts podcast. I'm your host, harold Milby, and I'm so very glad that you decided to download and listen to this week's podcast. I pray that, as you listen and apply the principles that you hear today, that you'll be encouraged, that you'll be enlightened and empowered to find what we talk about at CBC as true godly success. You know, joshua, chapter 1, says that this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success. You know, I believe this verse is for every one of you, every single one of you. But the key, I think, is applying his word to our lives and following the biblical principles that we talk about here at CBC every week in our podcasts. That's what CBC is all about helping people find godly success through biblical principles and godly principles. Now, before we jump into today's podcast, let me just give a big shout out to Phoenix, arizona, right here in the United States, for their many downloads over the last week or so. Thank you, phoenix. We really hope. You're blessed by being a part of the CBC community and we appreciate all of you who listen every week or as much as you possibly can. I'm so blessed, I am so humbled to know there are so many of you listening to the Christian Business Concepts podcast. So thank you all for being a part of what God is doing around the world.
Speaker 2:Now, this week, in our company highlight, I want to mention a company called Covenant Transport. They're here in the United States. They're a transportation company, they're a trucking company and they were founded in 1986 by David and Jacqueline Parker in Chattanooga, tennessee, and David is a very strong Christian. He's still the chairman of the board, even though the CEO role is now turned over to Joey Hogan. But understand that they have a lot of great impact and they support Christian charities. They really have a great program, a welfare program for their drivers. They employ over 3,000 people and they generate over $1 billion in revenue and they really promote integrity in everything that they do, in all their operations. They promote integrity and they are of a position within the industry now that they really have an influence in the trucking industry. But it's all because of their Christian integrity and their character and their godly way of doing business there at Covenant Transportation. So keep it up, covenant Transportation. You guys are doing a great job. We really appreciate what you're doing in the workplace and we appreciate your Christian values that you let shine through in everything that you guys do on a daily basis. So we appreciate companies like Covenant Transport.
Speaker 2:Now, in the past, I did a podcast on how to find and how to recruit a good, or really a great number two person, but today I want to look at the biblical principles, not on finding this person, but I want to look at some biblical principles on being a great number two. On being a great number two. I have spent most of my career as a number two other than the two churches that I was a senior pastor of but in my business career, I have spent my time trying to be a good or great number two. Some people want to be in that number two position because they feel like, well, that's just one step away for being the head person, or being the number one, if you want to talk in that vernacular. For me, though, I felt that my giftings and that my purpose was to be a very good or great number two, a very good or great number two, and if your goal is to become a number one person, if that's where you're headed, that's where you feel like you're moving to, if you feel like that's the direction that you're going in, then you really need to become a really good number two and be the best that you can possibly be. First, because I believe that the Word of God, I believe that the Bible, proves out that you can never be promoted until you become overqualified for your current position. Let me say that again, I believe the Bible proves out that you can never be promoted until you have become overqualified for your current position.
Speaker 2:You know, in leadership, being a number two, that's the second in command, that's the deputy or the supportive leader I believe that that is such a vital role and it requires humility, it requires wisdom and really it requires a servant's heart. You know, this position is not about striving for your own glory, it's not about being seen, but it's about amplifying the vision of the primary leader, the person that you work for and at the same time, you're contributing to the organization's mission in a very God-honoring way. So I want to give you some biblical examples of those who served as absolutely extraordinary number twos and these were people that were faithful supporters. They were second-in-command figures who basically amplified that mission, like I'm talking about, but they did it by demonstrating loyalty and humility and that godly service. And each of these examples highlight their role and the qualities that made them effective and helped them to align with the Christian business context of being an outstanding number two In Christian leadership. Being a number two, the second in command, it's so important, it's so powerful. So I believe that behind every great leader, there is a number two who's amplified their vision and helped them to turn dreams into tangible impact. I believe that the best leaders, I believe the very best leaders in the world, today, I believe they surround themselves with really good number twos and these are ones who complement their weaknesses and they create a harmony of vision and action. And thirdly, I greatly believe that a great number two turns vision into victory by mastering, if you will, that art of execution with precision and purpose.
Speaker 2:So let's look at our first example. The first one is Timothy in the New Testament. You know, timothy traveled with Paul, he delivered his letters, he pastored churches under Paul's guidance. That's according to 1 Corinthians 4.17, 1 Timothy 4.12. Paul mentored him. He mentored him very, very closely. He was a young man. He was a very loving young man and one who wanted to be a great pastor. But he was tutored, or mentored, under the Apostle Paul. In fact, apostle Paul called him his true son in the faith. That's in 1 Timothy 1 and 2.
Speaker 2:But what kind of qualities did he demonstrate? Well, timothy embraced Paul's instruction. He made sure that he listened to what Paul had to say and he wanted to grow into this very powerful and capable leader. He was very loyal, very loyal to Paul. He represented him faithfully, even in some of the really challenging situations. The Bible talks about it in Philippians, chapter 2, and you can read that. But he not only was teachable, but he was also very courageous. He led people despite his youth and timidity. Paul mentions it in 1 Timothy. In the book of 1 Timothy he talked about his youth and he talked to Paul and Paul said do not despise your youth. Don't despise your youth, because Timothy was struggling. He was very timid because of his youth and he was ministering to older people, but he really felt empowered by Paul's encouragement. He really does, and you can see that in 2 Timothy, 1. So you've got to be open to mentorship. If you're going to be a great number two, you've got to be open to having somebody mentor you, and I can't give you steps one, two, three to figure that out. I mean, if you're going to be a great number two, you have to figure that out.
Speaker 2:Another one is Joshua. Joshua was second in command to Moses. You know Joshua was Moses' aide. He was his successor. He served faithfully under his leadership, you know, before he became Israel's leader. You can see some of this in Exodus, chapter 24, joshua, chapter 1. He assisted Moses during some really critical moments. He accompanied him partway up Mount Sinai. He led the army against the Amalekites in Exodus, chapter 17. He was really trusted by Moses and he learned from Moses. He learned from his leadership and that was preparing him for his future.
Speaker 2:So what were some of the qualities that Joshua portrayed? Well? He was loyal. So what were some of the qualities that Joshua portrayed? Well, he was loyal. He remained very devoted to Moses. He never looked to try to overshadow him or become bigger than Moses. He was very humble. He served in some very supportive roles. He was a guard. He guarded the tent, the tabernacle. He guarded that. That's in Exodus 33.
Speaker 2:And he didn't ask for any recognition. He wasn't demanding, but he was also very faithful. He was obedient. He had great courage. This is found in Numbers, chapter 13. And he aligned with God's mission that God had given to Moses. He lined himself up with that and I think we can learn from that. I think we can learn that when you support a leader's vision with loyalty and then you prepare diligently for future responsibilities and you got to trust in God's timing, then I believe that God will raise you up to do greater things, even now that you're doing this in number two. And then we can talk about Elisha. We could talk about who was second in command to Elijah, the prophet Elijah. We could talk about that. We could talk about Joseph. He was second in command to Pharaoh in all of Egypt. You know he served as Pharaoh's second in command. He oversaw all of Egypt's resources during a great, great famine. He oversaw all of it. And so it's important that you look at some of these number two roles because they help you.
Speaker 2:Another great one was Jonathan, who was King Saul's son, and yet his heart was knit towards David and he was there to be a number two for David. He supported David when he became king when, rightfully, it would have been him who would have been king next. But he stood behind David and he was a great number two for David and he had a covenant relationship with him. And when you become a number two, that's one of the things that you have to be willing to do. You know, I said you have to be willing to be mentored, but you also have to be willing to walk in a covenant with that leader. Walk in a covenant with that leader.
Speaker 2:I know for 22 years I was one of the number twos for the owner of the company. I never felt more. I think the word is fulfilled. I don't think I was ever as fulfilled as I was, knowing that I was there for that purpose. I knew that I was supposed to be a number two. I wasn't looking to be a number one. I wanted to be that number two because I felt like that's where my giftings were, that's where my purpose was.
Speaker 2:But Jonathan was very selfless because he should have been king, but yet he supported David in David becoming king and he protected David. He risked his life for him. So he had this covenant with David. He was very humble about it. He embraced this supportive role instead of being a king, and he just trusted God that God's purpose was being done. So you kind of have to, when you're number two, you have to put the organization's mission and even God's plan above your personal ambition. You've got to support that leader with a real selfless devotion. I should say so.
Speaker 2:Some of these biblical examples they illustrate the qualities that make an outstanding number two. You've got to support the vision, like Joshua and Timothy did. You've got to align with and amplify that person. That you're the number two for that number one. That you're the number two for that number one. You've got to align and amplify that God-given direction. But notice that in all of the situations they served with humility, they acted with integrity and wisdom, they prioritized God's plan and all of that prepared them for future roles. It prepared them for future roles. It prepared them for future roles.
Speaker 2:And I can give you some modern examples of great number twos. The first one is my cousin, drew Milby. Drew was the number two for Papa John's. For those of you not in this country, papa John is one of the largest pizza chains in the world. They're all over the world. But she started with him when they only had 20 locations and she rose quickly. She became the number two person within that company and it was her that helped educate and help promote and help motivate the employees and she was the one that helped them to get onto the New York Stock Exchange as a publicly traded company. So Drew Milby was outstanding, but there's also you can look at Sheryl Sandberg, who's the number two.
Speaker 2:She's the COO of Facebook and she joined Facebook in 2008. She joined Facebook in 2008. She's been serving Mark Zuckerberg as his second-in-command. She used to work at Google. She was a Google executive and she brought a lot of operational expertise to Facebook as it was growing rapidly at that time in the beginning, and she actually scaled Facebook's revenue from $150 million in annual revenue to over $3.7 billion by 2011. And she did that through a lot of innovative advertising and models and things of that nature and she streamlined. She streamlined their operations as well, and when she started they had 1,000 employees and now they've got over 70,000. So she focused much on ethical leadership and empowerment. She valued excellence. Though she wasn't explicitly a Christian. Her ability to translate vision and take that vision and turn it into executable plans was a model that almost every business wanted.
Speaker 2:And then you have Gwen Shotwell. Gwen Shotwell is the president and COO of SpaceX. So she's that number two for Elon Musk's vision that he has for space exploration. So she's helped SpaceX grow from $150 billion by 2023. And a big part of that was Gwen Shotwell. She secured a lot of contracts. She secured a $2.9 billion Lunar Lander deal. She negotiated in such a manner that it drove 60% of the global commercial launch market. So they own 60% of that launch what we call the launch market and you know there's just a lot of positive things she's done. I mean she spearheaded STEM outreach programs. She really helped to inspire thousands of students to pursue aerospace careers. She's just done a lot of great work there at SpaceX. And then there's John Cargill, the COO of Hobby Lobby the same thing. I mean he has done a great job as being a number two for David Green, which was, you know, who founded Hobby Lobby in 72. And you know he's very Cargill is very, very supportive of Green's faith-driven vision as his second in command. So these are some great examples. There's Amy Hood, the CFO at Microsoft great number two.
Speaker 2:So why is it so important to be a good number two? Well, number one, it's a biblical calling to serve. You know the Bible says whoever wants to become great among you must first be your servant. So it's part of a biblical call to serve. That's what we're to do now. It also it strengthens the primary leader. You know, if you look at Aaron and her, they they were like number twos for Moses as well, and and it was so important in Exodus, chapter 17, as they left Egypt, there was a time that God was using Moses to hold up his arms to part the Red Sea so that they could walk across on dry ground, and Moses' arms began to get tired, and so Aaron and Hur came beside him, one on each side, and helped hold his arms up. And so you know that's what number twos do. They support that leader during challenging times. So I think that's important because you strengthen the primary leader.
Speaker 2:A third reason is because it advances the mission. You know, in a Christian business the mission is beyond profit. You know it's there to glorify God and serve others. So it helps to advance the mission of the organization. It also helps to build trust and unity. You know, because you model that integrity and collaboration, you create a culture where everybody works towards that common goal and that helps you to reflect the unity of the body of Christ, and then it prepares for future leadership. You know, because when you become a number two and you're successful at it, it's often God uses it as just a season of preparation for your future roles, maybe in leadership, like God did with Joshua under Moses, or the way God did Elisha under Elijah. And then it brings glory to God because you're being faithful, and when you're faithful, it brings glory to God because you're being faithful, and when you're faithful, it brings glory to him. Colossians 3.23 says whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord.
Speaker 2:So how do we become an effective number two? To excel as a number two, I believe that Christian business leaders, you've got to blend together this spiritual maturity with a practical group of skills, and so I want to share with you some actionable steps that are rooted in biblical principles, obviously, and also there's some business best practices here, so that will help you to become a great number two. So, number one, you have to cultivate a servant's heart. Well, how do you do that? Well, you got to pray for humility. You need to have a desire to serve more than you do to seek recognition. You need to actively listen to the primary leader's vision and you need to listen with an idea to understand, and you can't put your own agenda in that. You've got to be willing to take on some risk and you've got to do it with excellence and a positive attitude. If the primary leader is overwhelmed, you need to offer to handle some of those administrative tasks or maybe lead a project or something, something to lighten their load. That's one of the reasons that you're there is demonstrating this willingness to serve.
Speaker 2:Number two you align with the vision. Make sure you get lined up. You don't talk against the vision. You don't talk differently than what the lined up. You don't talk against the vision. You don't talk differently than what the vision is. You don't try to share your own vision. And what helps you to do that is by regularly meeting with that primary leader and you got to make sure you understand their goals and their priorities. And then you've got to ask clarifying questions to make sure that you fully understand that vision. And then you've got to ask clarifying questions to make sure that you fully understand that vision. And then the next thing is you go out and you begin to communicate that vision to the team and you do it clearly and you do it consistently, and you do it because you're trying to reinforce the importance of that vision, so you help do that. So if a primary leader's vision is to expand let's say outreach through a new initiative or research, and propose these actionable steps to make it a reality, you got to make sure that you get out there and you communicate that vision, and that's part of what you do as an outstanding number two.
Speaker 2:Now the third thing is you provide wise counsel. Now, how do you do that? Well, first of all, you need to know that organization's operations. You've got to know market trends. You've got to know what the challenges are, to provide really good advice. And then make sure that you offer feedback, but do that privately. I encourage you offer the feedback privately, do it respectfully. Don't say well, I think you're really making a stupid decision. That's not the way you handle that. You're a number two. You got to rise above that. You got to be very respectful. You've got to frame your suggestions in a way that really supports the leader's goals. I think that's what's important. And then I think you've got to use discernment to know when to speak and when to listen.
Speaker 2:If the primary leader is maybe considering a risky financial decision. You shouldn't just go to him and say I think this is a problem, but be sure to do some research, find out what could happen if he goes down this path and then try to give him a very good analysis. Make sure you've got data, make sure you've got facts to back up what you're saying and share with him what the potential outcomes could be. At the same time, you've got to reaffirm their authority in that they see that you understand they are the one in the position of being that number one. They're in the position of authority. But just make sure they understand that you know that.
Speaker 2:The fourth thing you can do to be a great number two is to complement the primary leader's strengths. So you need to look at the leader's strengths and their weaknesses just by watching them, just observing them, or maybe a very candid discussion where you can talk about them. But you've got to take on those responsibilities. That uses your strength in areas where maybe that leader maybe doesn't have the strengths, maybe it's a weakness, but they need that support there. It might be in operations, it may be finance, it might be team management. But then you've got to offer solutions and do that in a very, very proactive way. Don't bring in problems. He's got enough people bringing him problems or she's got enough people bringing him problems. You've got to offer solutions. Be very proactive about that. Don't overstep your role. But you take him and her solutions.
Speaker 2:For example, if the leader the primary leader if he's great at setting a vision, casting a vision, but he struggles with the operational details In other words, he knows he's got a vision for getting from point A to point B but doesn't quite know what needs to happen operationally to get from point A to point B, then you should probably take ownership of that. You can also take ownership of some project management issues that may be going on and then you can make sure that everything's working out to meet the you know, whatever may be deadlines or something. So you've got to check that Number five. You've got to bridge, build a bridge from the strategy to the execution, and that's kind of a part of number four, but you need to bridge execution, and that's kind of a part of number four, but you need to bridge that. You need to go from strategy to execution, because not every primary leader can do that. So that may be something that you have to do.
Speaker 2:The next thing is you have to foster a team unity. You should not have employees that look at you as a leader but not the leader that you're under as a number two. You've got to make sure that you do that and you communicate that through sharing that primary leader's vision to the team. But you can do it with enthusiasm and clarity, but they need to know this is coming from our leader, right? And then make sure that you address conflicts very quickly, very fairly, and you need to make sure you celebrate the team's successes. So I think those are some important things that you do.
Speaker 2:And then make sure you demonstrate loyalty to this leader. Make sure you do that. Make sure that you develop, demonstrate, I should say, loyalty. Speak very positively about the primary leader whenever you're in public and in private. Don't allow gossip about the leader. Don't accept criticism about the leader. You're there to be as number two. You've got to be the one that defends their decisions when that's appropriate. You've got to, at times, offer constructive feedback. Yes, but you do that in private. In public, you defend the leader's decisions. Stay committed. Stay committed to the mission. Stay committed Even during challenges. Stay committed If a team member questions the primary leader's say, strategy, then you need to take the time to explain why the leader reached this decision to operate this way.
Speaker 2:You need to explain that to them, stand behind them and encourage them to trust the leader and then help address maybe some of their concerns and maybe some of those concerns are valid and maybe you can help address them. But you want to demonstrate that loyalty and then make sure that you develop your skills and character. You want to invest in yourself personally for growth, but you also want to invest in yourself to help his weaknesses or her weaknesses. You need to be able to do that and then you need to rely on prayer and discernment. Now you're going to have some challenges.
Speaker 2:There are going to be times when maybe you feel undervalued. There's going to be times when you feel like you've got to balance loyalty and, at the same time, be honest about things. You've got to be able to manage up the chain and down the chain. You've got to be able to manage up and down, and sometimes that's hard to do. So those are probably the three biggest challenges and being the number one, one I think to me is feeling undervalued, because there's going to be times when you do, you just don't feel like you're valued and you feel like you carry so much for the leader, but you feel undervalued. Listen, don't let that bother you, don't let it get you down. It's very common, so you just continue to do what you are supposed to do and I believe that being a good number two.
Speaker 2:I believe it's a very high calling. I believe it combines humility and competence, and even faithfulness, and I think by serving with a Christ-like heart and aligning yourself with their vision and executing not just executing, but executing with excellence I believe you'll contribute to your organization's success and it'll bring God glory. This role is not about being second best, because it's not really about that. It's about being faithful, being a faithful steward of the responsibilities that's been entrusted to you, and as you grow in this role, I know that you'll not only strengthen the organization itself, but it'll also prepare you for future leadership opportunities, and the whole time this is happening, you're reflecting the character of Christ.
Speaker 2:Father, I come before you in the name of Jesus and I pray for all those who have listened to this podcast today and whether they are trying to fill a number two role in their organization or they are in a number two role or they're going to become a number two role. Lord, I pray that you'll help them utilize these principles to excel to excel, lord, at what they are doing, and that they will be extremely, extremely successful. I thank you, lord, that their motives will be pure and I thank you that they will excel In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen and amen. Well, thank you again for tuning in. Be sure to share the podcast with four or five other people. Post this podcast link onto your Facebook and LinkedIn pages. We're so blessed that you're a part of us, and that's all the time we have for today, so until next time, remember Jesus is Lord and he wants you blessed.
Speaker 1:Thank you for tuning into this week's Christian Business Concepts podcast. Go to christianbusinessconceptscom for more information and resources. Be sure to check out other podcasts that will help you take your business and your personal life to a whole new level of success.