The Unseen Hand: How Faith Transforms Leadership and Business

A Christmas Morning Awakening: The Genesis of Faith-Driven Leadership

Rod's transformational journey began unexpectedly on a Christmas morning. While reading the Wall Street Journal with his wife, Jen, an article by a cardinal posed a profound question: "If you leave a vacuum in the world, something's going to fill it, and it could very well be evil. So what's filling your heart?" This question ignited a spiritual quest that led them to a church service where they felt an undeniable sense of 'coming home.' This newfound faith became their anchor, especially as they navigated unforeseen medical and personal challenges. "If we didn't have our faith, I think we'd be completely lost today," Rod reflects.

This personal awakening reshaped Rod's approach to everything, including his business. His daily prayer, "Step by step, day by day, the Lord will light our way," encapsulates his reliance on divine guidance. For Rod, the question isn't just "What would Jesus do?" but "How would Jesus lead? How would Jesus decide?" This lens informs every decision at One Degree Capital, a financial leadership company that serves veteran founders, primarily in national defense-related industries.

Beyond Fractional CFOs: Leading with Empathy and a Team Approach

One Degree Capital distinguishes itself by offering more than just fractional CFO services. Rod emphasizes a "Financial Leadership Company" model, providing a team-based approach with an accountant, CFO advisor, and analyst for each client. This structure ensures comprehensive support and continuity, unlike the vulnerability of relying on a single fractional CFO.

But what truly sets One Degree Capital apart is its ethos. Rod recounts a current client facing severe financial challenges. While some might question the business sense of continuing to help a client who can't pay, Rod sees it differently. "That's exactly why we're helping him work out of this hole... he needs that help." This commitment to going the extra mile, even when it's not immediately profitable, is a direct outflow of his faith. He prioritizes helping people and their families succeed, embodying a generosity that transcends typical business transactions.

Kindness, Gratitude, and Grace: The Pillars of Rod's Leadership

Rod's faith isn't just a personal belief; it's a lived experience that permeates his interactions. He and Jen start each day with prayer and scripture, framing their perspective on the world and how they treat others. "Remembering that we're all human," he says, acknowledging that mistakes are inevitable. The guiding light, then, is not avoiding error but knowing how to return to the right path.

At One Degree Capital, this translates into tangible practices:

• Weekly Gratitude Moments: Every Friday morning, the team, both in-office and remote, shares what they're grateful for. Rod explains that "gratitude is actually a very old word. It's a combination of grace and attitude. So an attitude of grace is what we try to work towards every day."

• Treating People with Respect: This principle extends to difficult situations, such as letting a client or team member go. "You still have to do it with kindness, courtesy, respect, and... I still have an obligation to treat them fairly with heart and empathy."

• Long-Term Relationships: Rod shares a powerful anecdote about a client from whom he had to collect money years ago. Despite the challenging circumstances, he treated the individual with kindness and empathy. Years later, that client reached out, expressing gratitude for how he was treated and seeking to reconnect. This speaks volumes about the lasting impact of faith-driven leadership.

Guiding Principles: A Compass for Decision-Making

Four core principles guide Rod's decisions, especially in challenging times:

1. "Step by step, day by day, the Lord will light our way." This offers comfort and direction amidst uncertainty.

2. "Champion and celebrate others." Rod believes in giving first, exemplified by his participation in this article, seeing it as a way to give value.

3. "Am I loving and serving the Lord in his community?" This constant self-reflection drives him to seek opportunities for service.

4. "Forgive and forget transgressions." This applies not only to others but also to himself, fostering humility and growth.

Rod believes that leadership, infused with these principles, is a skill AI cannot replace. It's about being "ready, willing, and able to be a leader" for clients, team members, and family.

Resilience Through Adversity: The Story Seekers and a Lost Voice

Rod's commitment to these principles was profoundly tested when a medical mishap left him unable to speak for six months. During this challenging period, he initiated "Story Seekers," a group where people shared their stories. Unable to speak, he listened more intently, finding beauty and connection in others' vulnerability. This experience reinforced his belief in the "beauty of people" and the power of loving others. "If you're vulnerable, they're going to help you, and it's going to help them too," he notes.

Time, Talent, and Treasure: Investing in the Kingdom

Rod's faith also dictates how he allocates his time, talent, and treasure. One Degree Capital sponsors scholarships for children of military veteran entrepreneurs, donating money from every podcast episode to the "Milon Founders Fund scholarship fund." This initiative helps young men and women, like one aspiring pastoral college student, pursue their dreams. For Rod, it's always about "What can you give, not what can you get."

The Marketplace as a Mission Field

Rod sees the marketplace as a vital arena for living out one's faith. He encourages others to "walk the walk" and to get back up quickly when they stumble. "We're going to fail," he admits, but the key is to keep Christ as the "North Star." The ultimate compliment, he believes, is when someone asks, "Are you Christian?" because they've seen Christ reflected in your actions, your work, and your kindness.

Rod's journey, from a Christmas morning revelation to leading a thriving, faith-driven company, is a testament to the transformative power of integrating faith into every aspect of life. It’s a powerful reminder that true leadership is not just about financial success, but about cultivating kindness, fostering resilience, and leaving a lasting, positive impact on every life you touch.