Barry Rowan on the Spiritual Art of Business, Calling, and Connecting Faith to Career

In this episode of Filter, I am pleased to welcome Barry Rowan to discuss his new book The Spiritual Art of Business. Drawing from his forty years of experience in corporate leadership, Barry teaches us about pursuing value in our relationship with God and bringing that value to work. He shares wisdom that applies to all of our lives whether you are in business, education, ministry, and even at home. I must confess that this episode immediately became one of my favorites, and I know you’ll enjoy it too.

Barry Rowan is a Harvard Business School graduate who served his entire career in C-Suite roles. He has been instrumental in building and transforming eight businesses, primarily in the technology and communication space, with one selling for $10 billion. His leadership experience spans both private and public companies, including Gogo (the inflight connectivity company), Vonage, Nextel Partners, and Fluke Corporation.

Based on his belief in giving back, Barry serves on both for-profit and non-profit boards, mentors young leaders, and leads international study trips. His non-profit boards have included InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Seattle Pacific University, Gordon College, the Gonzaga University Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, and advisory boards for Harvard Business School. He also served as president of Bellevue Christian School.

Deeply immersed in Scripture and the classic spiritual writers, Barry is deeply committed to contemplation and prayer, leading him to complete a month-long silent retreat immediately following his retirement from a full-time executive career. His friends have dubbed him a “corporate mystic.”

Barry is married to Linda, his wife of over forty-two years, and they have two adult sons. Together they are now engaged in multiple lines of service including walking with the poor and investing in the next generation of leaders. Their commitment to the poor has taken them to Central America over twenty times. They are members of the National Leadership Council of World Vision and support local organizations breaking the poverty cycle through sustainable programs.

Resources

  • Get The Spiritual Art of Business at the link to Amazon.

  • Check out Barry’s “encore calling” on his website.

Subscribe and Connect