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

Over time, I’ve learned that attitude and work ethic will take you further than ability alone ever will. I’m not the brightest bulb on the tree—but I’m always on. I show up, stay committed, and push through.

Even the most gifted people must put in the work. Picasso’s genius wasn’t ego—it was effort.

My success metrics are simple: “Customer Success is my path, adding significance to others is my purpose, Celebrated Relationship is the goal™.”

Some might call that talent. I call it obedience to a calling, sustained by humility.

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how you do it.”—Lou Holtz

Let’s release ego, stop worshiping talent, and focus on purpose-driven effort.

What if the problem in your next meeting isn’t the facts, but the framework?

Today, we’ll talk about why understanding perspectives is more than good manners—it’s a marketplace advantage with a ripple effect you can’t ignore.. Today, our focus is Proverbs 18:17 because it’s the 18th day of the month.

What if I told you that happiness isn’t just a feeling—it’s a competitive advantage?

It can open doors, build trust, and keep you energized in ways talent alone never will.

Today, I’ll tell you why I believe happiness belongs on your business scoreboard.

Welcome to Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie™ — where a Proverb a day keeps stinking thinking away.

I’m Ernie Lansford, here to help you connect biblical wisdom to everyday marketplace decisions so you can build relationships that outlast any transaction.

Here, we bring timeless biblical truth into the marketplace, where influence is real, choices are constant, and relationships matter more than results.

So grab your coffee, tea, latte, soda, or water… and let’s get started.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

(Proverbs 17:22)

“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

(Philippians 4:8)

Life throws stuff at us that we can’t control. But how we respond—that’s what shapes our influence. Every reaction, every word, every tone either builds or breaks trust. And if we’re jostled, what spills out is what was already there.

Please list to the podcast for my explanation.

Today’s Podcast Episode comes from Marketplace Proverbs Vol 1, A Sales Navigator’s Compass to Customer Success Mastery, written by yours truly and Co-Author Jon Kluiter.

Anger is that unpleasant feeling of ill will we carry toward others, sometimes silently, sometimes explosively. I admit it: I’ve experienced anger at times. Have you? Is there someone from your past who still evokes that tightness when their name comes up? Do you replay old wounds that fuel resentment?

When we dwell on past offenses, we throw fuel onto smoldering coals. Eventually, those coals flare into a fire that scorches not only our hearts but also the relationships, opportunities, and clarity around us.

Harboring anger is like playing a bad song on repeat. But consider this: we can change the song. The choice is ours. And forgiveness is the switch.

Please listen to the podcast to learn more.

Today’s episode is from Marketplace Proverbs Vol 3: Ego, Humility and Partnership, the KPI that Matters Most.

Pride Blinds. Humility Builds.

Pride can make us deaf. Deaf to wise counsel. Deaf to warning signs. Deaf to the very people we’re called to serve. Humility, on the other hand, opens our ears, clears our vision, and builds bridges that pride would have burned. Today, our focus is Proverbs 13:10 because it’s the 13th day of the month.

Today, I am speaking from chapter 13 of Marketplace Proverbs Vol 2, Micro to Macro the Ripple Effect of Influence, written by yours truly and Co-Author Jon Kluiter.

“Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel.”—Proverbs 13:10 MSG

Please consider purchasing our book on Amazon

Welcome to Marketplace Proverbs and Coffee with Ernie™ — where a Proverb a day keeps stinking thinking away.

I’m Ernie Lansford, helping you connect biblical wisdom to everyday marketplace decisions so you can build relationships that outlast any transaction.

Here, we bring timeless biblical truth into the marketplace, where influence is real, choices are constant, and relationships matter more than results.

So grab your coffee, tea, latte, soda, or water… and hit play, let’s get started.. Today, I am reading from chapter 12 of Marketplace Proverbs Vol 1, A Sales Navigator’s Compass to Customer Success Mastery, written by yours truly and Co-Author Jon Kluiter.

“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”—Proverbs 12:24 NIV.

Reflecting on nearly 60 years in the marketplace, where I have worked as a personal production territory sales representative, team leader, and in senior VP leadership positions, as a sales coach, business development consultant, writer, and now podcast host, I see it clearly: I unknowingly brought on a silent helper and partner. It didn’t get a W-2, 1099, or owner's draw. No paperwork, no I-9, no IRS EIN. But it showed up every day, whispering: “You can’t charge that amount. No one’s going to appreciate an offer like this. You’re not qualified to lead at that level. Remember that seventh-grade English teacher saying, 'Ernie, you’re dumber than a dead stump—why would anyone value what you write or the content you create?”

That silent partner was the Spirit of Not Good Enough. It disguised itself as modesty, caution, servanthood, and even humility. However, the longer it remained, the more influence it exerted over my career, confidence, and willingness to add real value and significance to others. Worse yet, it transformed into the spirit of heaviness, as Isaiah talks about:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me... to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...” Isaiah 61:1–3 NKJV

This heaviness wasn’t just a mindset. It was spiritual. I had partnered with a spirit of heaviness AKA Spirit of Not Good Enough.

This spirit felt to me like walking through a door with clear plastic wrap stretched across the opening, the shrink wrap used on palletized shipments. I felt held back by an invisible force that slowed me down. Frankly, I had reached a point of significant frustration. I was discontent with my scarcity mindset and tired of feeling diminished, weary of fighting the invisible forces blocking my path. I was frustrated by wondering why I could not walk through the doors God seemed to open. Especially after praying often, “Lord, take me to people who need me and bring people to me you feel I need.” I frequently asked, “What am I doing wrong, Lord?”

And then I sensed it clearly, what I feel is a voice from the Holy Spirit:

“You didn’t just tolerate it, you elevated it. You granted trusted partnership status. If you want to move into overflow, you have to dissolve the partnership.”

That was one of my many defining moments that helped me move forward. If I were to step into overflow, I would have to dissolve the partnership with the spirit of heaviness.

Listen to the podcast for the rest of this story.

Today, we discuss

Wisdom’s Call to Influence from Proverbs 8:1-8

“Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.”—Proverbs 8:1-8 ESV (English Standard Version)

Proverbs 8 vividly depicts wisdom calling out from the city's gates, inviting everyone —simple and wise alike—to embrace understanding and truth. This imageryreflects our micro-to-macro principle: small, individual choices to seek wisdom create ripples of influence that extend to more significant relationships, teams, and organizations. Every interaction we have in the marketplace holds the potential to be a moment of influence. Have you ever paused to think about the person sitting across from you in a meeting? What struggles might they be carrying? Did their day start with a messy house, a rushed school drop-off, or an empty fuel tank in the car? Did they leave home with unresolved tensions or burdens weighing on their heart?

When we see others through a Kingdom-focused lens, we shift from transactions to relationships. We begin to recognize the shared humanity in those we meet and the opportunity to serve them in ways that reflect God’s love.

A Macro Vision Through Micro Actions

Proverbs 8 reminds us that wisdom is not reserved for the elite but offered to everyone.

“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.”

Wisdom equips us with prudence, temperance, and patience, enabling us to approach each interaction with humility and grace. Our role in the marketplace is critical. Even when we feel frustrated or unfulfilled, we are called to be Christ’s hands and feet. How we respond to others in small, seemingly insignificant moments creates ripples that can profoundly impact the broader culture of our workplace and marketplace mission field. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying:

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when

necessary, use words.”

This wisdom challenges us to embody the Gospel in our actions, ensuring that our lives speak louder than our words. Even the smallest gestures can create lasting influence when we show up with a heart of service.

Building Relationships That Ripple

It’s easy to focus on tasks and miss the opportunities for connection God places in our path. However, every moment is an opportunity to plant seeds of influence. A simple act of kindness, a word of encouragement, or even a silent, faithful prayer for a colleague can create a ripple effect far beyond the immediate moment. When rooted in wisdom and love, these micro-actions build into macro influence. They prepare us to serve others well and reflect Christ’s light in the marketplace. Wisdom calls us to be ready for significant opportunities and the small, daily interactions that shape our relationships and impact.

Action Points: Micro Steps Toward Macro Influence

1. Start a Prayer Journal: If you don’t already have one, create a list of people you interact with regularly.

2. Pray for them: Ask God to bless and guide them in serving them well.

3. Check-In: Follow up with these individuals to show you care.

4. Observe the Ripple Effect: Reflect on how your prayers and actions impact their

lives—and your own.

Listen to the podcast to hear more!

So, how does Proverbs 7 apply to marketplace ministry? Easy, avoid the appearance of promiscuous business.

Business is serious, but enjoyable at the same time. Playing loose with pricing, procedures, and processes to secure a transaction, in my opinion, is akin to displaying wanton behavior. Making a ‘deal’ with new or temporary customers outside stated pricing with loyal, committed existing customers is like adultery, once again, from my perspective.

Think on this: In the B2B2C marketplace, a producer selects resellers that uphold the product's value by serving the end user in a professional manner. Excellent resellers are catalysts that add tremendous customer service pre- and post-sale, creating high perceived value for the product/service or brand. The result is Momentum AKA sell-through. Everyone from the designer to the reseller, the end user, to fans in the stands enjoys the benefits of an excellent relationship by association. This momentum attracts the attention of rogue or unscrupulous, non-desirable resellers. These resellers seduce the producer with huge purchase orders, paying in cash. They offer the end user customer very little support. These resellers do not pioneer new brands, concepts, or campaigns to expand market share. They only “Click ’n Ship” established brands/products. Unfortunately, I speak from experience when I chased transactions to make quota.

Allowing ourselves and our organization to be seduced by the appearance of promiscuous behavior by rogue or unscrupulous resellers is like being with a w***e. Avoid it

!