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4 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Share Their Success

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We’re stronger together than we are apart. Does that phrase sound trite? Maybe so, but it’s a fact. It’s also one of the main reasons entrepreneurs should engage in philanthropic work. Certainly, founders have a lot on their plates. Nonetheless, their willingness to give back has the potential to make every community stronger.

This isn’t something I merely preach — I live it. If you could look at my DNA under a philosophical microscope, you’d see how much philanthropy is part of my being. I’ve seen the power that comes from committing outrageous acts of charity entrepreneurship. And when you begin to support others through radical social and community entrepreneurship, you’ll see those advantages, too.

The Benefits of Giving Back to Your Community Through Entrepreneurial Pursuits

Here’s the long and short of the matter: The nonprofits and charities in your area need your help.

You have a head for the corporate world. Local nonprofits and charities likely don’t — or at least aren’t involved in the nitty-gritty details of running a business. They often struggle to reinvent wheels that you’ve already mastered or have at least improved upon. For instance, many volunteer organizations are headed up by people with huge hearts who don’t have a background in basic business. They can learn, but they often need assistance. That’s where you can come in.

By partnering with a nonprofit and sharing your skills and knowledge, you can make the nonprofit, well, profit. And you won’t just give, either. After all, the importance of philanthropy is its reciprocal nature. You’ll share yourself and your success as a startup entrepreneur, but you’ll also learn from the nonprofit’s “Aha!” moments. Together, you can talk about the lessons you’ve learned and wind up applying those lessons to both the nonprofit and your business.

Now, you might still be skeptical about how business principles actually apply to the world of philanthropy. My 60-plus years on the planet allow me to assure you they do. Business principles, nonprofit dealings, and even personal issues are all universal. And though you might not share my Christian faith, I find this Ecclesiastes verse applies to us all: “There is nothing new under the sun.”

How Entrepreneurs Can Give Back

If you’re eager to build relationships with the nonprofits you admire, you’re headed on a path that’s likely going to be good for everyone involved. However, you’ll want to keep a few hints in mind to maximize your philanthropic dealings for all parties involved:

1. Pick a nonprofit that dovetails with your passion

Everyone has a purpose and talents. Those are your passions, and they keep you going. As a budding entrepreneur, you’re already pretty comfortable with certain tasks, like rainmaking or social media marketing. Your job is to figure out what types of nonprofits allow you to make the most of those abilities and passions.

Why does this matter? Let’s face it: You can’t give your all if you aren’t personally invested in the nonprofit. You might care about an organization’s mission, but it needs to be something you can truly get behind (or that strikes your fancy) to ensure you don’t slack off at prioritizing board meetings, committee get-togethers, and fundraisers. You don’t want that. You want to get fired up and be able to say, “Oh, gosh, I have to do this!”

“Life’s most urgent question is what are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King Jr.

2. Share all of your gifts without holding back

Sometimes, we hold onto our gifts a little too tightly as entrepreneurs. We perhaps worry that someone’s going to “steal” our golden ideas. Don’t allow that negative voice to keep you from being an outside-the-box thinker when you’re engaged in philanthropic work.

You don’t have to give away any proprietary information, of course. That wouldn’t be wise. On the other hand, contributing to brainstorming fully will allow you to apply your gifts in a real-world way. Not only will you see problems from different perspectives, but you’ll also be able to make more of an impact as a contributor to your cause of choice.

3. Turn on your personal GPS

Maybe you’re still stuck and wondering how to get your dreams of offering entrepreneurial charity off the ground. At that point, it’s time to turn on your internal GPS. Figure out what you want (i.e., your end destination) and how you can put it into action (i.e., your road map.) Nothing will happen if you sit back and wait for nonprofits in need to get in touch with you. There’s an off chance they might, but it’s more likely they won’t.

As an entrepreneur, you’re not new to taking action. Use your instinctive drive to find people you can help. And remember that you don’t necessarily have to work with an existing nonprofit. If you find someone else who can match your energy, you could make a plan to contribute in untapped, unmet ways together.

4. Make a personal promise that you’ll honor your philanthropy

The final tip to help you master the art of charitable giving is to put your all behind whatever you do. Pledge to yourself that you’re not going to look back if you embark on philanthropy. Rather, you’re going to make the difference you believe you should.

You might even be surprised: Once you commit to becoming a servant leader in your community, everything will start falling into place. You’ll be able to find the right areas in which you can maximize your capabilities and do the good that matters most.

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of giving back to the community, especially when you’re an entrepreneur. Even though your calendar might seem booked to the hilt, carve out some time for philanthropic pursuits. You’ll never look back — and you have my word on that.

The president and CEO of DeLine Holdings, Greg DeLine is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Greg has started and owned more than a dozen successful companies. He has a passion for relationships and helping others reach their full potential. In addition to leading various companies, Greg is the president of the board for Phoenix Programs, past president and current board member of Love INC, and a Leadership Circle level sponsor of the Heart of Missouri United Way. A lifelong Mizzou athletics fan, Greg is an Ambassador level member of the University of Missouri’s Jefferson Club.

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Business

The Entrepreneur’s Reading List That Transforms Ideas Into Empires

These must-read titles and writing insights reveal how entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into empire-level success.

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Entrepreneurship is powered by stories—of accomplishment, failure, and decision moments that define businesses. Books are maps, providing insight from individuals who’ve traversed the road ahead. (more…)

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The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

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Bridging the gap between employees and employers
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In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

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