2026

January Edition

Welcome to the January 2026 edition of A Few Good Things.

When the New Year Quietly Sets In  

By the last week of January, something shifts.

The optimism of New Year’s Day has settled. The lists are shorter now. The goals feel more real. And for many leaders, the pace of the year has already begun to reveal its weight.

Winter is here in full (at least if you are northeast Ohio 😊)

This is the point in the calendar where we realize that beginnings aren’t sustained by enthusiasm alone. They are sustained by formation, clarity, and faithfulness in the ordinary.

January often promises momentum. But late January offers something better: perspective.

In nature, this is still deep winter. The ground hasn’t changed much since the turn of the year. Trees remain bare. Fields are quiet. And yet, nothing is stagnant.

Beneath the surface, critical work is happening - work that cannot be rushed and cannot be seen.

Leadership works the same way.

By now, many leaders have already discovered that progress doesn’t always feel dramatic. Some plans moved faster than expected. Others stalled. Some clarity emerged. Other questions grew sharper.

That’s not a sign of failure. That’s reality.

Not all meaningful work looks like movement.

This is a season for stewardship.

Stewardship invites leaders to tend, not just push. To listen, not just execute. To ask better questions before demanding faster results.

Instead of asking, “Why aren’t we further along?”
We might ask: “What is being shaped right now?”

Instead of: “What needs to change immediately?”
We might ask: “What needs to be strengthened before it grows?”

Scripture reminds us that God often does His most formative work in quiet seasons - wildernesses, waiting rooms, long nights. These are not detours. They are places of preparation.

In this season of preparation, we can remind ourselves that not all progress is visible.

Roots come before fruit.

And organizations that resist the urge to force outcomes often find themselves better prepared for what comes next.

Winter still has work to do. And when we as leaders steward this season well, spring arrives exactly when it needs to.

The ground is not idle. Neither are you.

GPI has a busy slate of events coming up this year. Below, you can find where we will be soon, or you can contact us to learn how to get involved and attend. Or, if you’d like to request Chris to speak at your event, conference, or workshop, visit our speaking page on our website.

Jubilee Conference – Pittsburgh, Pa - February 14, 2026

Chris will be presenting on the topic of Business at the Jubilee Conference this coming February! The conference is geared toward college students to help direct them to discover what it means to be part of God’s Kingdom building plan.

What happens at Jubilee? — Jubilee Conference

CBRT – Christian Business Roundtable – 13^th Annual Leadership Summit - Detroit, MI – March 20, 2026

Chris has been invited to speak as it relates to the theme of “Your Business Success – Growth & Stability in Every Economy”.

13th Annual Leadership Summit - Detroit - 3/20/2026

USCCC – US Christian Chamber of Commerce –SWC 2026 - 

Orlando, FL - April 22- 24, 2026

GPI is a sponsor, a participant as well as a presenter with Chris presenting at the 3-day event where Christian leaders come together to discuss integrating faith and purpose in their workplace in advancing the Kingdom.

SWC 2026 - USCCC

Unconventional Business Network - Faith Incorporated Annual Conference - 

Olathe, KS - April 28 - 29, 2026

Chris will be presenting as part of a panel that will discuss how to connect, equip and inspire Christian Business leaders with Biblical and business insight who desire to Christ-centered catalysts for workplace transformation.

 Faith Inc ’26 - Unconventional Business Network

Faith at Work Summit - Cincinnati, OH - June 17 -19, 2026 

GPI will be conducting a workshop on the Kingdom Operating System as part of the Summit agenda. Check out the event link for registration information.

Faith At Work Summit 2026

GPI's Kingdom Business Activation Summit - Cincinnati, OH -                March 31, 2026

GPI is very excited to kick off the Kingdom Business Activation Summit this coming March!  We are hosting the event at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, which the CBS Evening News recently conducted a show. 

Cincinnati museum celebrates the history of small businesses through their signs - CBS News

 This half-day event provides attendees hands-on experience designed to be a journey toward holistic Kingdom alignment, where Biblical principles are built into the DNA of your organization, decision making, and the fabric of your culture. It is an opportunity to move from conversation into action. Hear from GPI and other leaders experiencing the Good Place Operating System (GPOS) Kingdom integration. 

If interested in knowing more about the event, please visit our website 

  The Good Place Institute | Organizational Leadership Training & Consulting or register using the link below.

Note:

Please keep a "Look Out" for more information as it pertains to several more events hosted by The Good Place Institute in May as well as in October 2026! 

GPI welcomes our newest member to the GPI Team!   We are thankful to have in our starting lineup, Theo Wilson!

Theo brings a unique perspective to organizational transformation—shaped by high-performance environments, operational leadership, and deep academic research into what makes organizational cultures thrive.

As a former Division I and professional soccer player, he experienced firsthand how culture determines whether talented teams achieve their potential or fall short. That insight led to management roles at Enterprise Mobility, where he learned how operational culture directly impacts both customer experience and business outcomes. Now, as a doctoral candidate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Grand Canyon University with a specialization in organizational culture, he is researching the science behind sustainable culture change and what makes transformation efforts succeed or fail.

At The Good Place Institute, Theo connects leaders who are serious about culture transformation with the proven systems and expertise to make it happen—helping them integrate Biblical principles into every aspect of organizational life so that people flourish, communities prosper, and businesses thrive.

Join our team, Office Administrator

Are you highly organized, proactive and one who thrives in a mission-driven environment and enjoys bringing order, clarity and efficiency to daily operations? The Good Place Institute (GPI), a division of Good Place Holdings, is seeking an Office Administrator to keep GPI running smoothly.

 Join our team, GPI Consultant

Are you passionate about a hands-on relational role that blends consulting, project management, thought leadership and creative collaboration? The Good Place Institute (GPI), a division of Good Place Holdings, is seeking a GPI Consultant role to equip leaders, advance GPI's offerings and helping to multiply Good Place organizations.

“Stewardship isn’t about doing more. It’s about understanding what has been entrusted to you and caring for it well.” -Chris Young

The Business is Good podcast with Chris Young is for leaders who believe that work can be more than just a job—it can be a calling. Each episode dives into what it looks like to build and steward organizations where people flourish, communities prosper, and business is economically regenerative. From defining your organizational charter to stewarding outcomes, shaping culture, and discipling people through work—we cover it all.

💡 If you’re hungry for a better way to lead, grow, and serve – subscribe to the Business is Good podcast on your favorite player app.

Please check it out by clicking on the "Learn More" button below.

Thank you for checking out our newsletter. Our purpose at The Good Place Institute is to help leaders multiply Good Place organizations! We are thankful for you and your leadership of organizations to reflect God’s Kingdom!

Chris Young

President

The Good Place Institute