Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie-A Proverb Per Day Keeps Stinking Thinking At Bay

Some of the costliest mistakes aren’t what we failed to say—but what we couldn’t stop saying.

“Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” — Proverbs 29:20 NIV

Jon’s Experience

Early in his career, my co-author and friend Jon Klutier struggled to read the room. Once he started his pitch, he kept rolling—ignoring body language and burning through air like a train with no brakes.

Then he traveled with a new supervisor and watched a pro at work—a few words, strong questions, a real connection, and signed orders. Between calls, Jon asked a thousand questions. By week’s end, he was running the pitch with a new rhythm. It became his busiest order-writing week ever.

The key lesson he carried home? Respect the uncomfortable silence.

Not “he who talks first loses.” That’s too shallow. It’s this: the pause is where the customer thinks, weighs value, and moves toward a decision. Jump in too soon and you break their concentration—and possibly the deal.

We all like to think we make decisions based on wisdom and principle. But when ego, pressure, and outside voices get louder than God’s, even seasoned leaders can stumble.

Proverbs 28:26 — When the Trinity of Me, Myself, and I Takes Over

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” — Proverbs 28:26

This verse stings because I’ve lived it. And the cost wasn’t just professional—it was relational. Proverbs 28:26 warns against trusting in our own mind, and in this episode, I share a leadership decision I wish I could take back, the damage it caused, and how God’s wisdom—not ego—is the only true path to integrity.

Sometimes, the most important call you make is the one you weren’t planning.

Proverbs 27 reminds us to “know the condition of your flock,” and in this episode, I share how acting on the Holy Spirit’s promptings—whether through a call, a handwritten note, or a prayer—can transform relationships from transactional to truly celebrated.

“Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds, for wealth is not forever; not even a crown lasts for all time. When hay is removed and new growth appears, and the grain from the hills is gathered in, lambs will provide your clothing, and goats, the price of a field; there will be enough goat’s milk for your food, food for your household and nourishment for your female servants.” — Proverbs 27:23–27 CSB

This passage isn’t just about farming, it’s about stewardship. Just like flocks and herds need daily care, relationships require consistent attention. Neglect weakens them. Nurturing strengthens them.

In sales, leadership, and the marketplace, we often think our biggest competition is the company down the street. But for many of us, the real enemy is the status quo—and its parent, the comfort zone monster.

When Flattery Hides Danger

“Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend, all the while conniving against you. When he speaks warmly to you, don’t believe him for a minute; he’s just waiting for the chance to rip you off.” — Proverbs 26:24–26 MSG

In this episode, I reveal how the comfort zone masquerades as progress, why it’s the status quo’s favorite disguise, and how breaking free leads to real growth.”

The comfort zone feels safe, but it’s quietly stealing your growth.

Proverbs 26 warns about the danger of flattering words, and in business, those words often come from the status quo itself. In this episode, I share how the comfort zone monster kept me visiting the same customers, chasing transactions instead of building relationships, and how breaking that cycle leads to deeper partnerships and greater influence in the marketplace.

I used to chase the spotlight. Awards, applause, and recognition fueled me, but they also drained me. Proverbs 25:6-7 flipped my perspective on leadership and success, showing me that the most valuable KPI isn’t on a spreadsheet. In this episode, I share the story of how I moved from ego-driven (Edging God Out) striving to quiet strength and why my goal now is to finish every season of life saying, “It’s By God’s Grace.”

t’s easy to chase what shines and miss what matters.

Proverbs 24:27 reminds us to plant fields before building barns—to put the work of serving others ahead of building our own comfort. In this episode, I share why the sequence matters, how “shiny objects” can derail our mission, and how choosing significance over success changes everything in the marketplace.

This verse links three truths: humility, reverence for God, and the reward that follows. In the marketplace, that path doesn’t run through ego or self-promotion—it runs through meekness.

But meekness is often misunderstood. It’s not passive. It’s not a pushover mentality. Biblical meekness is strength—your ability, authority, and confidence—submitted to God’s control. It’s the choice to lead with grace, even under pressure.

And I’ll be honest with you—there have been times I’ve failed at this.

There’s a difference between being meek and being weak.

In business, people often mistake meekness for weakness. But in God’s economy, meekness is one of the most powerful leadership traits we can have—because it’s power under control.

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” — Proverbs 22:4 ESV

Ernie learned that lesson the hard way during a customer visit that didn’t go as planned. Proverbs 22:4 reminds us that humility and reverence lead to life, honor, and riches—but in that moment, Ernie let pride take the wheel. In today’s episode, Ernie shares the story, the fallout, and the shift that taught me what meekness really looks like in the marketplace.

A Goal Without a Plan Is Just a Wish! Wishing gets you nowhere in the marketplace—or in life. Wishing gets you nowhere in the marketplace—or in life. Diligence turns vision into results. And Scripture makes it clear: a plan submitted to God’s direction will take you further than hustle alone ever could.

Today’s Scripture focus: “Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.” — Proverbs 21:5 MSG

In this episode, Ernie unpacks the power of intentional, God-aligned planning using the PLAN acrostic to turn micro actions into macro impact in the marketplace.

Have you ever missed out on a golden opportunity because you didn’t slow down enough to notice it? I have. And the truth is, sometimes the person I overlook has exactly what I need, if I’d just take the time to value them.

Today’s verse is Proverbs 20:29 in the NIV: “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.”