Profit Hides Problems. Leaders Surface Them Early.
By Partner Johnny Shroyer, Pastor of Bayside Business Ministry
Revenue is up. The pipeline looks strong. Everyone feels good.
But profit has a way of covering cracks.
You’re working with a company that was hitting record sales. On the surface, they looked unstoppable. But underneath, the warning signs were everywhere: delayed response times, sloppy handoffs between departments, and customers who renewed contracts but weren’t thrilled. The money coming in was real, but it was also a cushion—softening the edges of weak systems and drifting standards. The invoice paid the bill, but the bill hid the leak.
This is the subtle trap leaders fall into. Good results mask the very problems that, if left unaddressed, can eventually undo the growth. Your job as a leader is to surface what profit and momentum may be hiding. In other words, make sure the roots aren’t exposed, but actually run deep enough to support what is growing above the soil.
A Simple One-Week Audit
Here’s a practical way to start:
Pick two leading indicators that predict trouble: Response time, customer escalations, or rework.
Walk the process end to end. Don’t rely only on reports: Ask the front line what feels hard.
Close one loop publicly: Fix one small but visible issue within 48 hours.
You earn trust by repairs, not by promises.
Momentum is not the same as health. Growth shows up on a P&L statement. Health shows up in how customers and employees speak about you when you’re not in the room.
The Kingdom Lens
The same principle applies in ministry and life with God. Spiritual “success” — more people in the room, bigger budgets, fuller calendars — can mask cracks in discipleship, culture, or integrity. Churches and ministries can mistake momentum for maturity. But Kingdom leaders don’t just celebrate growth; they shepherd health. They name issues early, not to shame, but to steward. And they recognize that fruit without roots is fragile. Tending to unseen health ensures that visible growth is sustainable and God-honoring.
A Question for Leaders
If revenue dropped 20% tomorrow, what problems would suddenly become urgent?
If your ministry lost half its budget tomorrow, what discipleship cracks would immediately surface?
Go fix those now—before circumstances force your hand.
Biblical Deep Truth
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks.” — Proverbs 27:23. Stewardship is the practice of noticing leaks before they turn into losses. Whether leading a business or a ministry, wise leaders don’t wait for a crisis to reveal what growth was hiding all along. The wisdom of Proverbs reminds us that vigilance and care are not optional extras; they are the daily disciplines that turn leadership into faithful stewardship, ensuring the work entrusted to us reflects both excellence and integrity in God’s economy.
About The Author: Johnny Shroyer
Johnny Shroyer is an experienced executive and pastor currently serving as the Executive Director and Pastor for Bayside Business Leaders at Bayside Church since April 2023. Johnny is focused on engaging and influencing business leaders with an evangelistic approach, fostering partnerships that enhance their personal and professional lives.
Previously, Shroyer held significant roles, including Vice President of Sales for KAR Global from January 2020 to December 2022, where responsibilities included leading the West Division and managing field sales teams for digital auction solutions. Johnny’s earlier roles encompass Vice President of Sales & Operations for Automotive Finance Corporation and various leadership positions in sales and operations within the automotive finance sector, demonstrating a strong background in sales management, strategic development, and team leadership. Education includes an Associate of Science in Computer Science from College of Marin and studies at San Francisco - CLC.