3 min read

Live Abundantly

Jul 1, 2022 6:45:00 AM

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What does it mean to "live abundantly" in business and how do we take ownership of this mindset? There’s no shortage of information on what "living abundantly" means from a spiritual or philosophical perspective (22.7 million search results on Google) and specifically what it means in different faith traditions. However, the phrase takes on a bit of mystery when  reappropriated for the world of work.

It begins with humility and gratitude in knowing that we’re fortunate and empowered to attract opportunities and realize our potential. However, with current scarcity of resources whether through labor shortages, rising costs, or supply backlogs, it can be challenging to find pathways toward living abundantly in business.

At Gibson, our core values provide guideposts around what it means to live abundantly and how to take ownership of the mindset. Let's review some of these to get a better grasp on the idea of abundance in business and how it's applied within our organization.

Create a Great Experience. This applies both to an external base of clientele, carriers, and other strategic partners as well as internally to our employees. Pertaining to our clients, abundance begins with gratitude and is reflected in our aspiration toward helping them find their edge and own it. Internally, it’s not solely about creating new and additional opportunities for people, but rather helping people realize their potential, creating an environment diverse in background, viewpoint, and experiences, and creating prosperity and long-term financial security.

Play for Each Other. We’re all in this together: our clients, our employees, and other business partners. Sharing knowledge and expertise while helping others succeed and being genuinely happy for others’ good fortune is abundance through generosity, resourcefulness, and empowerment. If one person overflows (e.g., they possess a high degree of subject matter expertise), then they share it with others.

Pursue Growth. Said another way: let’s thrive. Let’s avoid the try-not-to-lose mentality and go for the win. In business, this is the entrepreneurial mindset in its purest form: generally dismissive of roadblocks, challenges, or headwinds (sans naïveté); unwilling to envision failed attempts or lose oneself in the factors that could lead to a failure. Instead, living abundantly by pursuing growth means envisioning successful outcomes, welcoming creativity, and seeking opportunity.

Own Your Future. Although the concept of living abundantly is grounded in humility, gratitude, and knowing we’re simultaneously fortunate and empowered, it is also future-oriented. With Jim Collins’ popular BHAG concept (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), we’re forced to think about what (and who) would be needed to achieve the goal and how to divide it into achievable components. In personal development, the organization provides security for and empowers growth and calculated risk-taking. As individuals, we use our curiosity and inquisitiveness. Like all forms of life, we prosper when we grow.

In business, if we start with creating a great experience for employees with a variety of opportunities and space for personal growth, confidently go for the wins, and plan for our future, then we live abundantly. If done effectively, a business that takes ownership of abundant living creates prosperity for all.

Topics: Executive
Mark Wobbe

Written by Mark Wobbe

Mark is a principal at Gibson with responsibilities as a team leader and providing risk management and insurance services to business clients. He specializes in identifying, quantifying and bringing clarity around strategic, business, and hazard risk exposures. Utilizing the proactive sightline process, he and his team provide counsel and advice on complex business and people issues extending beyond the scope of a traditional insurance engagement. Mark is a a member of Gibson’s Board of Directors. Mark has extensive experience. His commercial underwriting career began in 1989 and progressed through several assignments with national insurance carriers. The combination of his years of underwriting, insurance company operations, and agency management experience give Mark a unique background and ability to develop comprehensive solutions for his clients. Prior to joining Gibson in 2003, Mark was senior underwriter for the technology practice at Chubb Insurance Company underwriting errors & omissions coverage and international programs for clients in the information technology and telecommunications sectors. Read Mark's Full Bio