Choose This Day: The One Decision Every Leader Must Make
On Joshua’s charge at Shechem. Turns on the Hebrew verb abad , which carries “to work,” “to serve,” and “to worship” at once, so that every organization already serves something. The only question is what.
Choose This Day: The One Decision Every Leader Must Make
Choose This Day: The One Decision Every Leader Must Make
In one of the most decisive moments in the Old Testament, Joshua gathers the people of Israel at Shechem and says:
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
At first glance, it looks like a purely religious statement. But when we dig deeper, the verse has profound implications for leadership, decision-making, and organizational life in today’s marketplace.
Every Leader Serves Something
The Hebrew word Joshua uses for “serve” (abad) can mean to work, to serve, or to worship. That means service and worship are inseparable. In business, the truth remains: every leader and every organization serves something. For some, it’s profit margins. For others, it’s reputation, innovation, or growth. The real question is not whether you serve, but who or what you’re serving.
The Urgency of “This Day”
Joshua presses the people with urgency: “choose this day.” In Hebrew (hayyom), the phrase carries the weight of immediacy. No leader can afford to postpone ethical clarity or value-driven decisions. Integrity is not a long-term plan to revisit later—it’s a choice we make today, in the emails we send, in the contracts we sign, and in the culture we build.
Competing “Gods” in the Workplace
Joshua names the gods of Mesopotamia and Canaan, pointing to real spiritual rivals. In today’s marketplace, the “gods” look different but are no less powerful: unchecked ambition, consumerism, prestige, or innovation at any cost. These forces demand loyalty and sacrifice. Leaders must ask: are we bowing to cultural idols, or are we shaping organizations that reflect deeper values?
Leadership by Declaration
Perhaps the most striking part of the verse is Joshua’s closing line: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” He doesn’t wait for consensus. He doesn’t outsource the decision. He makes a public declaration of loyalty and sets the tone for his household. Marketplace leaders do the same every day. The values they declare—and live by—become the culture their teams inhabit.
The Marketplace as Covenant Space
Joshua’s speech was a covenant-renewal ceremony. For modern professionals of faith, the marketplace can also be a place of covenant renewal. It’s not about adding a religious layer to our work, but about remembering who we already are and letting that identity shape how we lead, decide, and serve.
A Question for Today’s Leaders
Joshua’s words echo across centuries with the same force: choose this day. The choice is not theoretical. It’s embedded in daily leadership, corporate culture, and strategic vision.
So here’s the question for you: In your leadership and in your work, whom—or what—are you really serving?
Call to Action
I’d love to hear from you. How do you navigate competing “gods” in your industry—whether profit, prestige, or pressure—and keep your leadership grounded in deeper values? Share your perspective in the comments, and let’s learn from one another.
Let's be decisive in all things!
– Dr. Doug
About the author. Douglass P. Smith, Ph.D., PMP, is Professor of the Practice in project management at the University of Kansas and a licensed minister in Kansas City, Kansas. More about Dr. Smith.
First published on LinkedIn, August 21, 2025. View the original.