78. Character-Driven Leadership: Why Character is Your Competitive Advantage with VIP Leadership Group

What makes a leader worth following?Today I'm talking with three leaders from three different cultures, united by one mission—to help leaders rise with values, integrity, and principles. Dr. Makki, Coach Attala, and Dr. Leroy McKenzie Jr. are the co-founders of the Character Driven Leadership Cafe, a movement confronting the real cracks in modern leadership.Leadership is lacking in today's world. We see it everywhereLeaders who talk about values but don't live themOrganizations that prioritize performance while burning out their peopleCultures built on control instead of connection.The CDL Cafe was born from Dr. Makki's observation sitting with his morning coffee: leadership failures aren't just about strategy or skill—they're about character. The cafe offers Table Talk Wednesdays, resources, and a community where leaders learn to lead from the inside out.VIP Leadership stands for Values, Integrity, and Principles—the three pillars of character-driven leadership. This isn't about adding skills on top of a hollow foundation. It's about becoming the kind of person others want to follow because you genuinely serve them.The business case for character is clear: connected employees perform better. People who feel seen and valued share their best ideas. Stressed, burned-out employees don't. And that energy transfers to your clients and customers.How can we honor God in our business?By leading with character—privately and publicly. By choosing discipline over convenience. By loving the people we lead, not just using them for productivity. God cares about who we're becoming, not just what we're accomplishing.One challenge from today:Write down your Personal Value System—the 3-5 principles that define who you want to be as a leader. Then ask yourself honestly: Am I living these out, or are they just decoration?More About VIP Leadership GroupLinkedInYouTube: @cdlcafeMore About David SchmidtFree Resource: What God Says About Business: 5 Uncommon Truths for the Modern BusinessSubscribe to the RBT Weekly Newsletter for weekly simple, practical, and Biblical steps to help you build a thriving business in a way that honors God.Newsletter also comes with Bible verses for business success for you to read, apply, and be inspired by.Book a call: Get Unstuck and Move ForwardWebsite: redeemingbusinesstoday.comLinkedInDonate to the ShowMentioned in this episode:What God Says About Business: 5 Uncommon Truths for Modern BusinessIf you want to go deeper in your walk with God and integrate your faith and business this is the tool to make it happen. God has laid out the path to success without the regrets and emptiness that come with success the world's way. Download your FREE pdf resource today. A 10-minute investment of your time will return a lifetime of transformation.What God Says About BusinessLeadership GPS: Christian Business CoachingAre you looking to integrate your faith and business but don't know where to start, book a time to discover if Christian business coaching and training might be right for you. If you are dissatisfied with your current rate of improvement, desire a clearer vision of what God says about business, or even what those first steps may look like, let's talk.Initial GPS Coaching Call