Staying the Course: Anchored Leadership in a Demanding Marketplace

In the dynamic and often challenging world of business, maintaining one's faith and principles can feel like navigating a tempest. Yet, for Grace Teng, Partner and Chief Media Officer at Zambezi, one of the industry’s top independent adevertising agencies, these are the very anchors that have guided her remarkable journey. Her story offers a powerful testament to the transformative impact of unwavering faith and principled leadership in the marketplace.

Grace's career path is a tapestry woven with diverse experiences, from the agency and client sides of marketing to sales, politics, and even private equity. This breadth of exposure, she explains, prepared her for her current role leading Scale by Zambezi, a media department she built from the ground up. In just three years, Scale by Zambezi grew from zero to $40 million, earning accolades like AD Age's Breakthrough Media Agency of the Year. This rapid growth, while exhilarating, also brought its share of challenges, particularly in navigating the complexities of leading people.

The People Element in Leadership

Operating in a predominantly secular industry, Grace finds herself in a unique position. While Zambezi's owners are people of faith – a rarity in advertising – the business still operates within the realities of the market. Grace highlights that the most challenging aspect of leadership is often the 'people element.' As one ascends the corporate ladder, the focus shifts from individual work proficiency to managing teams, influencing peers, and navigating upward relationships. "The work itself, I love," Grace shares, "but the higher up you go, it's not about the work. It's about the people."

Grace's faith profoundly shapes her approach to leadership. She describes building her team on what she considers biblical principles: supporting individuals professionally and personally, and fostering an environment where work can also be enjoyable. This servant leadership approach, while immensely positive, has also taught her the importance of balancing empathy with strategic decision-making. You can be kind and thoughtful and strategic, but you're also running a business, she notes, emphasizing the need for both compassion and clear direction.

Integrating Faith into the Workplace

Prayer is a constant in Grace's professional life, especially before crucial pitches or meetings. She recounts recent changes at work where she felt God's presence, assuring her, "I allowed this to happen. I'm with you. Just wait." These moments, often subtle 'godsends' like unexpected encounters, serve as powerful reminders that God is at work, even amidst uncertainty. It's one of those things, we can do our best, and we can try, but God's hand is always in the outcome of how things go regardless, she reflects.

For Christian leaders striving to gain influence in the Marketplace while staying true to their faith, Grace emphasizes the critical role of community. Being surrounded by other believers provides essential perspective and accountability. She recalls conversations with her husband who helps her discern principled ways forward. "If you're not careful in business, I think you can get angry. I think you can get bitter. I think it can get hard. I think you can just become very cold," she warns. Having a support system helps to guard against these pitfalls and reminds her of core principles like forgiveness, even when trust is broken.

Enduring Success through Principled Living

Grace believes in the 'long game' of principled living. While it may not always lead to the fastest ascent, operating with integrity builds an invaluable reputation. "I've gotten here because of the way I've operated," she states, acknowledging the solid reputation she has cultivated in the industry. This commitment to character, even when it seems counterintuitive in a competitive environment, ultimately lays a strong foundation for lasting success.

Her advice to fellow Christian business leaders is simple yet profound: "Stay on the path. Stay on the principles." She acknowledges that storms will come, but an unwavering commitment to faith and core values will guide them through. "We just need to have faith and just to believe. I know it's not easy by any means, but I think it is important to continue to base decisions off of principles."

A Testament to Faithful Leadership

Grace Teng's journey is a powerful illustration that integrating faith into the workplace is not just possible, but transformative. By anchoring her leadership in prayer, biblical principles, and a supportive community, she demonstrates how to navigate the complexities of business with integrity, compassion, and unwavering trust in God's guiding hand. Her story encourages us all to stay the course, knowing that our principled actions, fueled by faith, contribute to a greater purpose.