Lauren Hays, employee support coordinator for Betenbough Business Services, has worked here since January 2012, so her husband, Brandon, has been a Betenbough spouse for twelve years. During that time, he has been a middle school pastor, a college pastor, a next gen pastor, and a senior pastor.
Now that’s a career path for a leader! Brandon says he’s learned more about leadership from Betenbough Companies than any other source.
He recalls reading Good to Great by James C. Collins many years ago. He read a passage about a level-five leader being humble, driven to serve the organization’s purpose, and willing to put the needs of others above their own. The very next day he saw Rick Betenbough parking cars at a company event, and Brandon knew he was watching a level-five leader in action.
Over the years, Brandon has continued to watch leadership principles lived out at Betenbough. He expresses gratitude for Winter Weekend, Kingdom at Work events, vision trips, Rallies, family gatherings, and all the ways Betenbough embraces not just team members, but their spouses and children, as well. He recognizes how much he has personally benefitted from this relational intentionality.
Brandon attended a Kingdom Leadership Workshop in 2020 during which Jeanna taught a session on core values and their impact on an organization’s culture. After the workshop, Brandon rented The Garden Room at Betenbough’s Home Office and brought in a team to collaborate on a purpose statement and core values for the church where he was employed. He presented those to his church’s senior pastor, and the church adopted them. In fact, although the Hays family eventually moved out of state, those core values remain in use at that Lubbock church.
In 2023 Brandon was presented with the opportunity to leave Lubbock and move to Nashville. He drew inspiration from the way Rick had passed the leadership of Betenbough Homes to Cal Zant with an open-handed posture. Brandon shares that Rick’s example of letting go and trusting God was a guide during that season of change for the Hays family.
Lauren and Brandon also received a tremendous amount of support and encouragement from Betenbough through their process of deciding to move to Nashville.
“WHEN HIGH-CALIBER, GODLY LEADERS WHO YOU KNOW DO HARD THINGS BELIEVE IN YOU, IT’S INSPIRING. IT MAKES ME WILLING TO DO HARD THINGS FOR THE KINGDOM.”
– BRANDON HAYS
Betenbough’s “cultural honesty,” as Brandon calls it, has influenced the way he pastors. Because of his experience with our company, he has a better understanding of God’s purpose for people called to build the Kingdom in the workplace. Brandon places as much value in a school teacher’s or business person’s platform as he does a preacher’s.
The power of one-on-ones is another element of Kingdom leadership Brandon gleaned from Betenbough. Relational leadership was a new concept for the church he serves in now, and he has enjoyed watching his team transform over the course of this year into a cohesive group who loves being together. Brandon reports, “We’ve created a culture of trust. We can lean into conflict because we have relational capital.”
The coaching continuum, including concepts like one-degree corrections and 911 discussions, has had a powerful influence on Brandon and his leadership. He’s been equipped to be clear in difficult conversations. He’s had the courage to separate with team members when necessary, recognizing it’s all part of loving people well. Brandon says, “Reflecting back on the fruit helps me get through the hard part of conflict.”
Steve Wilkinson, student and connection minister at Brandon’s church, shares: “Brandon Hays’ leadership has significantly contributed to my growth as a young leader by providing me with a clear vision and helping me recognize the potential within myself. He has affirmed my giftings, given valuable feedback for improvement, and celebrated my successes.” Brandon saw this kind of leadership modeled first at Betenbough.
Betenbough taught Brandon that “Good leadership lasts beyond yourself.” This story demonstrates that good leadership also extends beyond your team.
