Promod Haque on Leading Well

Written by Joe Handley

A few weeks ago, renown venture capitalist Promod Haque shared with one of our A2 cohorts for marketplace leaders. What a profound week we had learning together! Promod prompted some significant dialog and conversation as he shared his own life story and how he integrates the Bible and Christian worldview into his life, business, and philanthropy. My colleague Elliott Snuggs who has been spearheading our work with A3.business shared the following:

Great serving with +Joseph Handley and +David Dayalan as we spent a few days with Promod Haque as he taught for A3.business leaders in India. In his more than 25 years of venture capital experience, Haque has invested in more than 70 companies that have produced more than $40 billion in exit values. More importantly he has a focused missional purpose. Inspiring!

Promod shared the following principles that stimulated quite the discussions of the weekend together:

1. God is the Master Orchestrator of our Lives
   1. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare2 and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
   2. Promod told several stories from his life and how God had used significant choices in his life, many of which some would consider counter-intuitive, to show God’s unique fingerprints on how life unfolds.
2. God is Sovereign
   1. In the midst of numerous choices toward temptation and misusing finances, Promod shared how God’s sovereignty proved the more beneficial choice.
   2. Quoting 1 Corinthians 10:13, Promod pointed to how living with integrity, while not beneficial in the short-run, definitely proved providential for him in the long term.
   3. Promod also highlighted key mentors in his life who advised him to live a life “above reproach”.
   4. In the short-term, he was teased – sometimes called “Saint Promod” but over the long term, God’s sovereignty clearly proved to be the better choice.
3. Our Calling in Christ
   1. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 12, Promod shared about the importance of both the pastoral and marketplace sides of ministry. Neither is more important than the other. They both are critical for the kingdom.
   2. Promod also advocated for making God our CEO, rather than ourselves as business owners or leaders. Allowing God to direct your steps is more fruitful in the long run.
4. How do we then Live our Life
   1. From these foundations, Promod encouraged us to live a life worthy of our Lord
   2. What outcomes can we expect:
      1. You will have a passion for your work: Colossians 3:23-24
      2. You will see integrity grow in your life
      3. Leadership will develop
      4. You will honor God – Prov. 3:9
      5. You will learn to depend on God – James 4:13-15

It was indeed an inspiring weekend for "A3.business", as we call it. As we interacted with one another, we learned a great deal. Even just the question and answer time proved invaluable, and I’d like to say a special shout out to Promod’s wife, Dorcas. At several junctures, she offered tremendous wisdom for us in our marriages, life, ministry decisions and philanthropy. It was also encouraging to see Promod’s family join him and interact with us. What a joy to get to know each other and learn together!

Understanding the Times, Knowing What to Do

It was truly a profound few days together and as we concluded I challenged the cohort to consider how God was calling them. Why? Because we live in challenging days. These are days where we need people like the leaders of Issachar who ‘understood the times and knew what to do.' I believe God has called us for “such a time as this” when the stakes are so high and the world is looking at horrible models of leadership. We need leaders like the ones of Issachar who “understand the times and know what to do.” It all begins with a deep dependence on our Lord, Jesus Christ. May we all learn from the lessons Promod and Dorcas shared with us! And, may you become like the leaders of Issachar in this troubled world we now live in. The world is desperate for people like you who will “stand in the gap” and live lives like the one’s Promod taught about this weekend. With Christ, Joe Handley   jhandley@asianaccess.org   @jwhandley     More Information A3.business is A3's leader development for marketplace leaders.