Create Strategic Growth
"MonkWork: Where Ancient Wisdom Fuels Modern Business Success."
Ora et Labora means work and prayer in latin. For 1500 years Benedictine monasteries have practiced entrepreneurship simply because they needed to for survival. And in that time the princples from The Rule of St. Benedict have guided them to success for the glory of God, not to mention the best beer in the world.
More Thriving, Less Grumbling!
However that all changed when I began to unlock the secrets of The Rule. Ancient principles that can guide leaders and entrepreneurs to strategic business growth.
Mike Ferrell serves entrepreneurs and leaders through coaching and consulting that is dedicated to achieving strategic business growth through the transformative power of the Monk Principles©. Rooted in the ancient wisdom of The Rule of Benedict and infused with modern strategies, Mike’s approach emphasizes and approach that starts with a higher purpose vision and then through the lens of strategic focus looks at four key principles: Stability (creating a strong foundation with focus and perseverance), Community (fostering connection and shared purpose), Excellence (driving innovation and positive change), Profound Hospitality (cultivating authentic, meaningful relationships). By integrating these timeless values with tools like the Business Creativity Funnel, Gallup’s BP10, CliftonStrengths, and the VIA Inventory, Mike guides clients in aligning their faith, purpose, and business practices. Through his coaching, leaders develop strategic clarity, build resilient teams, and create sustainable success while finding deeper fulfillment in their personal and professional lives.
Strategic Clarity – Through Mike’s coaching, you’ll gain a deep understanding of where your business is headed and how to align your strategies with your core values and identify your higher purpose vision. This clarity helps you make confident decisions that lead to long-term success, ensuring your business not only survives but thrives in an ever-changing market. You’ll learn how to create and implement a purposeful business plan that drives consistent results, giving you a clear vision for both immediate actions and future goals.
Sustainable Growth – Mike’s approach is designed to build a strong, resilient foundation for your business, one that is rooted in timeless monastic principles. By focusing on stability and strategic mindset, you’ll develop a sustainable growth model that is flexible enough to adapt to challenges yet strong enough to maintain steady progress over time. The strategies taught in coaching emphasize long-term success, helping you avoid short-term pitfalls and fostering growth that can withstand market volatility and business cycles.
Stronger Teams – One of the core tenets of Mike’s coaching is the development of community within your business. Instead of focusing solely on corporate culture, which can be transactional, Mike emphasizes the creation of genuine connections among your team members. By fostering a sense of shared purpose, respect, and collaboration, you’ll create an environment where employees are not just part of a team but feel deeply engaged and committed to the company’s mission. This leads to higher morale, greater productivity, and lower turnover.
Enhanced Leadership – As a leader, you will refine your strategic mindset and develop the kind of leadership that not only drives results but also nurtures the growth and potential of your team. Mike helps you become more self-aware, making decisions that are aligned with your values, faith, and purpose. This approach fosters leadership that is authentic, empathetic, and impactful—qualities that inspire your team to follow you, contribute their best work, and remain loyal to the vision you set.
Watch for Mike’s newest book, More Thriving, Less Grumbling: Achieve Strategic Growth Guided By Ancient Monastic Principles coming in early 2025.
Personal Fulfillment – Achieving success in business is deeply intertwined with personal fulfillment. Mike’s coaching guides you to connect your work with your faith and values, helping you find greater meaning in what you do. You’ll discover how to integrate the principles of stability, community, and hospitality into your day-to-day work, creating a more balanced life that honors both your professional goals and personal well-being. This sense of alignment brings deeper satisfaction, making your business journey not just a financial pursuit but a pathway to a more meaningful life.
Improved Decision-Making – With a foundation in ancient wisdom, Mike’s coaching equips you with tools for thoughtful, strategic decision-making. Whether it’s handling a crisis, navigating growth, or choosing the best direction for your business, you’ll learn to make decisions that reflect both your strategic objectives and your core values. By incorporating elements like the VIA Inventory, Gallup BP10, and the Business Planning Funnel, you’ll approach decisions with clarity, confidence, and a balanced perspective, ensuring they align with your long-term vision.
Increased Innovation – Excellence and innovation are key pillars of Mike’s coaching. By applying the principles of positive leadership, you’ll cultivate a culture that values creativity, embraces change, and focuses on creating value. Mike encourages a mindset of “positive deviance,” pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and seeking opportunities to transform challenges into new ways of doing business. This fosters a dynamic environment where innovative ideas are nurtured, tested, and implemented, leading to continuous improvement and business growth.
Lasting Impact – The ultimate benefit of Mike’s coaching is the creation of a lasting legacy. By blending ancient wisdom with modern strategy, you’ll be equipped to lead with authenticity and integrity, creating a business that serves a greater purpose. Your leadership will inspire others to follow, not just because of what you’ve accomplished, but because of how you’ve done it—with respect, humility, and a commitment to building something that lasts beyond profits. Through a focus on profound hospitality, excellence, and strategic thinking, you’ll leave a positive and enduring mark on your business, team, and community.
Want to learn more, set up a free call with Mike!
Strategy vs. Tactics
Strategic thinking and tactical thinking are both essential for business success, but they serve different purposes. Strategic thinking focuses on the big picture—defining long-term goals, clarifying purpose, and mapping out a vision for the future. It's about seeing possibilities, anticipating challenges, and creating a sustainable path forward. Tactical thinking, on the other hand, is about execution—managing day-to-day operations, solving immediate problems, and implementing specific actions that align with the broader strategy. The Monk Principles bridge the gap between these two mindsets by grounding strategic thinking in timeless wisdom while providing a framework for disciplined, purpose-driven action. With principles like Clarity of Purpose, Structured Reflection, and Adaptive Thinking, leaders can create strategies that are both visionary and practical, ensuring that daily tactics serve a larger mission and foster long-term growth.
The Strategic Insight Generator
The Strategic Insight Generator is a powerful diagnostic tool designed to help small businesses identify key challenges and uncover actionable strategies for growth and success. By analyzing critical aspects of your business—including operations, leadership, market positioning, financial health, and team dynamics—the tool provides clear, tailored recommendations to overcome obstacles and seize new opportunities.
“I have had the opportunity to work with Mike on several occasions and his knowledge and expertise on leadership, entrepreneurship, and best organizational methods are some of the best I have seen. He has a tremendous amount of experience and practical wisdom that is extremely valuable to any organization. In addition, his unique content and approach to training our team and in the delivery of unique organizational models is a huge benefit to our team, our board and our organization that will yield a great deal of success for years to come.”