The Sycamore Initiative
“People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall."
- Thomas Merton
The Sycamore Initiative is for Nashville-based, high output leaders and creators seeking personal health, integrity, and a framework for living all of life from a spiritual foundation. Many worthy programs specialize in professional development. Sycamore also specializes in human development.
The inaugural program runs from August 2024 to May 2025.
The name “Sycamore” is inspired by a public figure in the Bible whose job title began with the word “Chief.” Sensing there must be more to life than chasing power and hitting a number, this man embarked on a search for meaning. Jesus noticed him perched on a sycamore branch above the crowd, alone and unsettled. Jesus called him by name, entered his home, surrounded him with friends, and inspired him to live honorably and meaningfully.
Goals and Benefits:
The Sycamore Initiative is a custom program that helps high output individuals thrive spiritually, emotionally, at home, in friendship and community, and at work. Professional bonds may form organically, but the focus is building honorable, meaningful lives through:
honest connection with God and peers who share similar struggles and hopes
prioritizing integrity and the eulogy virtues
embracing the humble path of downward mobility
leveraging influence to help heal the world’s hurts and promote love
an individualized plan for living all of life from a spiritual foundation
Venue and Schedule:
Participants will gather at Donald and Betsy Miller’s Green Hills carriage house, 6-9pm one Tuesday per month. Each month will feature a core theme with teaching, interviews, life stories, roundtable talks, and mutual support.
Smaller groups will connect monthly with Scott and each other. All participants will also receive 1:1 coaching and support from Scott.
There will also be optional extras throughout including a two night retreat (spouses welcome) plus social, enrichment, and service opportunities. Our 2024-2025 participants will be the inaugural class of a connected, citywide network of high output leaders..
About Scott:
Scott Sauls is the founder and guide for the Sycamore Initiative. He has spent nearly 30 years leading as a pastor, author, speaker, board member and chair, master’s level instructor, backstage chaplain, and confidant to leaders. Scott also co-founded a faith and work institute that helps professionals think well, live with integrity, and contribute meaningfully. He looks forward to pouring energy that once went into serving thousands into an intimate, focused few.
Scott’s primary, counterintuitive strength is is that he is a recovering overachiever. Many of his own highs and lows have been intertwined with approval seeking, anxious ambition, and excessive drive. Part of Scott’s mission is helping high output leaders avoid pitfalls as they pursue God's best for themselves and the people around them.
Access and Cost:
Interested individuals may contact Scott about access, cost, and other details by using the contact form at scottsauls.com. Most or all expenses should qualify for professional development and/or a tax exempt business expense.