Leading with purpose

Transitioning from a pastor to a supply chain expert might seem like a leap, but Peter Jones, the Founder and Managing Director of Prological, says despite the apparent differences, they do share a common thread – the ‘Golden Rule’.

Whether guiding a congregation or leading a business, Jones tells The CEO Magazine, “It comes down to treating other people the way you’d like to be treated.”

This philosophy is deeply rooted into his leadership style. And it underscores his entire approach to business. “The underlying ambition I have is to do to other people what I would like done to me,” he says.

Leading with value

It seems simple in theory, but in practice, it can be challenging, Jones admits. “When I see that things aren’t going well in somebody else’s business and I see how Prological’s capabilities can help support their business in becoming stronger again, I find it very hard to walk away,” he says.

“Sometimes that comes with a commercial risk, but I still find it difficult to walk away because I would hope if I were in that situation, someone would come and help me, regardless of the personal cost to them.”

With strong values like this guiding him, it’s unsurprising when Jones shares that he treats his team with the same respect.

“In treating my staff with respect and empowering them, they get wind under their wings, so they can fly and become the best version of themselves possible,” he says.

“As for my life, other people have quite intentionally done that for me. So I understand the benefit of having people believe in you and encourage you along – even pushing you a little bit occasionally, helping you develop.”

The benefit, Jones adds, is far reaching. “It adds to our self-belief, confidence and hopefully rubs off in the way we improve the lives of those around us – our husbands, wives, friends and families,” he says.

“At that level, I don’t see too much distinction between being a pastor and leading a business. I’m looking after people, helping them become better versions of themselves; versions they might not otherwise be if we had not crossed paths. I feel a responsibility for that.”

Forward momentum

This ability to lead, he reflects, has been a natural instinct. Since he was in high school, Jones has had a knack for getting others to follow him.

“I’d say, ‘Let’s do this’ and everybody came with me,” he recalls.

However, despite this innate ability, he has ensured to always keep developing. “If we’re doing tomorrow what we were doing yesterday, then we’re going backwards,” he says.

And for him, going backwards is not an option.

To keep building positive momentum that takes Prological, its customers and its people to a more successful future, Jones turns to the ‘Authentic Action Wheel’, a model he studied extensively in university.

Developed by Bob Terry (PhD) and further developed by Ron Hultgren (PhD); at its core, the model helps distinguish between immediate management concerns and longer term, strategic leadership challenges.

“Research suggests that most business leaders spend most of the time on management issues, nearly all day every day, which begs the question – who’s working on the leadership issues? Because a hundred percent of a business’ future is in the leadership issues,” he points out.

The most powerful resource

For Jones, effective leadership means staying focused on the bigger picture – ensuring clarity around the company’s mission and an understanding of who truly holds influence within an organization.

“If everybody understands the mission, it becomes reasonably straightforward to sort out the resources,” he says.

It has been more than 30 years since Jones has studied this method, and yet he says it still remains at the forefront of his thoughts with every business conversation he has.

This curiosity, Jones says, is key to thriving and something he encourages emerging leaders to do.

“Be curious about asking the right questions,” he urges. “And remember, the answers to problems do not exist because of all of the knowledge you walk into the room with – the answer to the question exists in the people that are in the room, harnessing everything there that’s known. That’s what creates something new.

“The most powerful resource to make things happen is people.”