To Ray Linder '77, MBA '82, a major part of business is personality. It affects how people treat their money. In addition, how personalities mix can make or break an operation.

As CEO of Goodstewardship.com, Linder brings these philosophies into Fortune 500 corporations where his work goes beyond the now-overused title of motivational speaker. Instead, he engages in organizational and personal development, encouraging people to think deeply about who they are, what motivates them and others, and how to bring out talents in the people around them. In other words, what pushes someone's "go" button?

"People don't often leave jobs for more money," Linder said. "The No. 1 reason people leave jobs is because of bad relationships with managers. People are often doing the work they like to do. It's just that they're doing it for people they don't like doing it with."

Linder took what he calls a circuitous route to his current profession, working in corporate finance and as a pastoral minister, a job that sent his career in a more people-oriented direction. He strongly believes in the Biblical advice of being a good steward - faithfully managing gifts for your benefit and the greater good.

"We didn't create what was given to us," Linder said. "A lot of things were put into me before I even knew that I had them. My work is getting people to understand what they have been given and how to maximize what they've been given to the benefit of others."

He has written three books - the most recent title, What Should I Do With My Money? How Your Personality Affects Your Financial Behavior - and is mulling over a book on leadership, a project he's not entirely sold on.

"There are about 90 zillion books on leadership," he said. "Who needs one more?"

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