The workplace is an ever-changing, ever morphing landscape which will present fresh, and often thorny, dilemmas for young professionals. These might come in the form of moral and/or ethical decisions or simply may be straight up business decisions that need to be made.  

Young Christian professionals often feel this weight even more heavily.  

Often in my experience I’ve been put in positions of having to make a strategy decision between two competing good organizational values. A lack of decision principles to go by can appear to the team members as decisions made by favoritism, urgency, or other unknowable factors. Inevitably, this will hurt the team leader’s ability to build influence and trust.  

Navigating decisions effectively requires more than just professional skills and knowledge; it demands decision-making principles rooted in your faith and values. In other words, you need a personal operating system (OS) to guide you.  

Here’s why developing these principles is essential: 

A Principles OS Ensures Alignment of Your Decisions with Christ-like Values 

As Christians, our faith is the cornerstone of our lives. Our understanding of Scripture and our walk with Christ gives us access to both generational and eternal wisdom. It is what forms our worldview, influences our actions, and guides our decisions.  

By developing personal decision-making principles, young professionals can ensure that their choices align with their faith. This alignment not only provides a sense of purpose and direction, but it also provides a roadmap to follow to remain true to Christ-centered values. 

  • Example Principle: I will act with honesty and integrity as Christ followers should, even when no one is watching. 

A Principles OS Demonstrates Consistency Building Integrity and Trust 

Integrity and trust are invaluable assets. They are hard-earned and easily lost. Team members need to know that they can rely on you to make ethical decisions even in the toughest of situations.  

Christ-like decision-making principles foster a consistency that leads to a reputation for honesty and reliability. This sets you apart as a leader who can be trusted to do what is right, even if others disagree with the decision. If you have demonstrated consistent principles in decision making, then team members tend to understand why you make the decisions you make even if they would make a different one.   

  • Example Principle: I will make choices that reflect Christ-like characteristics to others, such as kindness, compassion, and humility. 

Principles OS Provides Clarity in Ambiguity 

The toughest decisions are often ones filled with gray areas and contextual complexities. They are tough because there may not be apparent objective standards to guide you. Contextual situations require subjective solutions where the right course of action is not abundantly clear.  

Having a set of personal decision-making principles provides a framework for evaluating options and making choices. This clarity is particularly important in high-pressure situations where quick decisions are necessary. By relying on your principles, you can navigate ambiguity with more confidence. 

  • Example Principle: I will seek counsel from trusted mentors, pray for guidance, and be open to learning from others. 

Ultimately, the result of developing personal decision-making principles is to live a life that is fulfilling and in alignment with the character of Christ. When decisions are guided by faith and values based upon Him you will experience peace and satisfaction. You know that you are living with integrity and purpose, making choices that align with God’s affirmation of “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mt. 25:23)