The Man Who Found God's Purpose in the Boardroom and the Battlefield
Rob Teel
Fiel CTO of GigaOm
Website: www.gigaom.com
A Dual Calling: The Christ-Centric Approach of a CTO and Chaplain
Rob Teal, a man serving in the seemingly disparate roles of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and a Chaplain in the United States Military, embodies a truly unique, dual-vocation (bifocational) approach to life and work. He lives out the profound belief that his technical and spiritual capacities are not just compatible, but that they actively "connect".
His entire approach to his professional life is fundamentally Christ-centric. This commitment stems from a "totally radical" personal encounter with Jesus Christ around the age of 14, an event that instantly "changed everything" and launched him onto a path of ministry.
Rather than seeing his faith as something separate from his corporate role, Rob treats his life as an act of continuous ministry, even in the technical field. His daily objective is to "be a good representation for Christ". He sustains this demanding dual role through intentional spiritual discipline, notably by starting his mornings with prayer and worship to ensure he's in the right "spirit" before he faces the world. For Rob, his ultimate job is to be a vessel reflecting Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to radiate through him to those he leads.
Motivation Beyond the Mundane: Finding Purpose in Service
Rob’s commitment to service is rooted in a compelling blend of human drive and divine calling.
His initial, driving motivation to join the Air Force illustrates his early determination:
A Personal Vow: After a counselor told him he couldn't marry the girl he was engaged to because he couldn't support himself, Rob was determined to "prove to everyone that I'm a man" and immediately enlisted.
The Path to IT: This decision led him directly to his first role as an IT person in the military, where he learned the valuable skills he uses today as a CTO, an outcome for which he is grateful.
Despite his three decades in technology, his deeper, enduring motivation is not the tech itself, but a "massive passion for people". Rob is far "more passionate about leadership and building teams and helping people find their purpose" than he is about technology. He views his purpose as bridging the gap between technical skill and human decency. He strives to mentor technologists who are "smart engineer[s]" but must also be "good at loving people" and show "kind[ness] and courteous" respect. This focus ensures that his work, whether in the air or the office, is a ministry that helps people find their highest purpose.
Master Class in Mentorship: Jesus’ Leadership Style and its Application
As a CTO and an ordained minister, Rob recognizes Jesus Christ as the ultimate Master of leadership. He models his approach on Jesus’ methods of personalized mentorship:
Customized Care: Jesus did not employ a "one-size-fits-all approach". A powerful example is Christ’s post-resurrection interaction with Peter. Jesus "needed to spend extra time with Peter" because the disciple was devastated by denying Him three times. Jesus customized the outcome just for Peter, appearing to him and commanding him, "Peter, feed my sheep". Rob applies this by treating each team member uniquely.
Servant Leadership and Humility: Rob understands that the power and attraction people feel when interacting with him are rooted in the Holy Spirit. He practices intentional humility, constantly fighting the temptation to become "self-inflated" or "self-absorbed". He consciously strives to live by the biblical counsel to "consider one another more than you consider yourself" (Philippians 2:3).
Tactical Ministry: His work as a chaplain involves a "very, very tactical in nature" ministry, meaning it’s highly interactive and brought directly to people in their working environments, whether they are at a desk or in a combat zone. This hands-on, relational approach is clearly transferred to his leadership style in the corporate world.
The Kingdom Business Model: Love, Joy, and Kindness in Tech
Rob's business model and philosophy are built on establishing God's "kingdom" in the workplace. He clarifies that God's kingdom is characterized by the Fruits of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness".
His work, therefore, focuses on practical actions that manifest these spiritual attributes:
Love as Strategy: The essence of his business model is rooted in the belief that Jesus "loved the world unconditionally" and that the core of his ministry is to bring that same love to his teams.
Spiritual Ripple Effect: He sees his daily kindness and respect as delivering a "dose of the Holy Spirit, whether they know it or not". He notes that people are drawn to this spiritual light and feel "better about myself" after interacting with him.
Religious Accommodation: As a chaplain, he is also heavily involved in the concept of religious accommodation, ensuring that people are "able to practice [their] religion freely while they're working". This ensures a fair, respectful, and accommodating workplace environment for all faiths and beliefs.
Sustaining the Spirit: The Daily Fight Against Pride
The final component of Rob’s success is the intentional spiritual work required to sustain his calling, particularly the daily battle against pride, which he notes is the "root of all evil".
He employs specific spiritual disciplines to keep his ego in check:
Communion as a Leveling Field: Rob believes that taking communion acts as the "great leveling field" against pride. As a sincere act of remembering Christ's sacrifice—"This is the body that was broken for me" —it makes it "impossible to stand in a position of pride". He views it as "hitting the reset button on my pride".
The Power of Contemplation: He stresses the importance of contemplation during communion, using the Psalmist's plea: "Lord, search me and know me" (Psalm 139). This introspective self-evaluation prevents people from simply going through the motions and draws them "closer to God".
Daily Self-Denial: Both Rob and David affirm that living in the Spirit requires actively denying the desires of the flesh. David cites Galatians 2:20 as his daily prayer: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me...". This surrender is the key to ensuring that God’s will—His "kingdom"—is done on earth.
Written by Jovilyn Dela Cruz
“The Holy Spirit radiates so much power. When you’re walking with Him, and you know Jesus, and He’s abiding in you, and you’re abiding in Him, it’s impossible for people not to be attracted to that.”
