Don's Thoughts

Building an Elite Extraordinary Organization

Five years ago, I wrote a book called Building an Elite Organization, based on the Elite Education System (EES). Using the tools and principles of the EES system has helped us earn a spot on the Inc. 5000 as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies for more than a decade.

When I wrote that book, DLP was only about 15% of its current size and the only business using EES. Since then, we’ve helped dozens of companies implement the system, developed new tools to increase its efficiency, and learned a lot. Today, I’m working on the next iteration: Building an Extraordinary Organization.

What will be different? Part of the book will be about sharing the stories and lessons learned over the last 5 years of bringing EES to other organizations, but the more significant difference will be in the reframing of the book around the real purpose and meaning of a business. 

“'I believe that one of the next great moves of God is going to be through believers in the workplace.” - Billy Graham

Billy Graham often spoke about how the Great Commission could only be completed by one-by-one ministry. Did you know that, on average, people spend 94x as much of their week working as they do in church—if they even go to church? This is where the Great Commission is won.

As business owners, we have a great opportunity and an enormous responsibility to run our businesses as ministries. This starts with our employees and carries to our clients. This is how we up-level from an elite to an extraordinary organization.

I’ll preview some of the new strategies from the upcoming book at the Building an Extraordinary Organization Mastermind in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, from April 1-2nd. If you’re a business owner ready to learn actionable strategies to 10x your business, network with other successful business owners, and enjoy live music, great food, and conversation, this is for you.

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Banking Strategy Update

In 2022, I made a strategic decision to expand into the banking sector, forming a separate banking company within the DLP brand. Along with investors in DLP Bancshares, Community State Bank, a regional bank in Florida, was acquired and rebranded to DLP Bank. Since then, DLP Bank has set records for net income and earned a spot on the prestigious Inc. 5000.

The same disciplined focus and execution that has led to these successes has been applied to evaluating future opportunities, and today, I’m excited to share some updates about the progress that has been made.

Pending regulatory approval, DLP Bank will merge with another regional bank, allowing us to expand our banking presence to Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Pennsylvania, and the Southeast. Beyond the expansion, there’s a bigger vision at play: building the largest faith-forward bank in the country.

We will double down on building a world-class culture led by faith-forward leaders who are purpose-driven, high-impact, intentional, collaborative, compassionate, and Living Fully. With the right team in place, we will offer the highest level of service to local communities with a four-pronged approach.

     #1. Community Banking

     #2. Private Banking

     #3. Business Banking

     #4. Real Estate Lending (direct and lender finance)

That’s just some of the exciting news. You can watch the full recording of the last webinar I hosted at the beginning of February below. Make sure to bring your questions for me to the next webinar I’ll host on March 5th. Please note: you will be prompted to sign an NDA to view the recording and to register for the next webinar.

Watch the Full Recording

Register for the Next Webinar

Worshipping on Purpose

In the Kingdom Impact group run by the DLP Positive Returns Foundation each week, we recently learned from Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, that God created us for five purposes, the first being for his pleasure.

“You [god] created all things, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:11)

God wanted us to be alive, to be loved by him, and to love him back: that’s what worship is. Regularly attending church and faithfully praying are expressions of worship, but worship is more significant than that.

Worship is offering ourselves to God. We give to him, and he gives back. And what can we offer God, who has everything? Our love. The one thing he doesn’t have unless we give it to him.

The essence of worship is knowing God and loving him back. Not mindlessly, not on autopilot; purposefully, intentionally, and thoughtfully.

In his teachings on worship, Warren encourages us to wake up each day with a prayer, sharing with God that if you do nothing else today, you will end your day knowing him a little more. That’s the first purpose of your life, not your to-do list. You weren’t created for a to-do list; you were created for God’s pleasure.

Since that lesson, I’ve added the following to my daily prayers.

• God, help me walk an unhurried life alongside Jesus.

• God, help me stay focused on loving you and loving people.

• God, help me to workshop you through all activities, loving you back.

  • Worship is my response to your love.

  • Worship is my giving back to you.

  • Worship is my focused attention on you.

  • Worship is the offering of my abilities to you.

• God, I work for you, making my work worship. I glorify you and am joyful and satisfied with you and your love for me.

• I know that I am as close to you as I choose to be and to get closer, I must spend more time with you.

• I accept the responsibility to leverage the strengths and blessings you have provided to me, to live out what you have called me to do: transform lives through the building of thriving communities.

If you want to learn more, you can watch Warren’s video here.

Success AND Significance: Balancing Business Excellence with An Extraordinary Family

Each year, I select a Verse of the Year as part of my Personal Compass. This year’s is particularly powerful for me and I expect it will be for many of you, especially those of you balancing the demands of running extraordinary organizations and the responsibility of raising an extraordinary family.

"What is it to gain the world and lose your soul?" (Matthew 16:26)

I hope that gave some of you pause. There is nothing wrong with pursuing success, being driven, having GRIT, and putting in the work to achieve your goals. The key is doing all of this AND investing in your family. Being present and committed to your role as a father, mother, husband, and wife—not just physically present but emotionally present—is investing in your family. That means your son isn’t talking to you about his basketball game while your head is bent over your phone checking your email. You’re not out to dinner for a date night with your wife and closing deals in the bathroom.

Building an extraordinary family means establishing commitments that are honored without question, deepening trust and your relationships. For my family, one of those commitments is to have dinner together every night. Of course, there are times when Carla and I are traveling, and it isn’t possible, but geography’s the only thing that gets in the way of this tradition. During dinner, we are all present with one another and talk about the best and most challenging parts of our day. Since the boys have been old enough to read, we also discuss the books we’re reading and any key lessons we’re learning.

This is one example of hundreds of ways to build an extraordinary family intentionally. When you join me in Asheville, NC, for this year’s Extraordinary Family Impact Event in June, you’ll get a master class. If you’re unsure what to expect, take a look at the photos and session recordings from last year’s event. This year we’ll have even more family-friendly activities and free time for you to explore the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains while you create unforgettable memories with your family.

Make sure you reserve your room when you register to take advantage of the discounted room rate, which will go up soon.

Register for the Event

Wenner Family Highlights