Ken Joslin has a framework for everything. Vision and goals. The Core Five. Proximity Live. At the center of it all: one belief that changes how you lead and who you become.
Relationships are the cheat code.
About Ken Joslin
Ken Joslin is a serial entrepreneur, former executive pastor, and founder of Growth Stack Drive. He leads GSD Create, the largest faith-based entrepreneur conference in the United States, held every January in Atlanta. He's also the author of Fourteen Frequencies of Proximity.
For more on Ken's work, visit growstackdrive.com
When Proximity Becomes Power
Ken's insight is deceptively simple: the people around you determine the ceiling on your life. Not your talent. Not your intelligence. The relationships you invest in.
Entrepreneurs are busy. They're also lonely. Information floods in. Algorithms decide what they see. Shiny objects keep promising the next level. In that noise, proximity—real relationships with people who've been down the road ahead—is the thing that keeps you grounded and moving forward.
Vision vs. Goals: You Need Both Written Down
Ken talks about the difference constantly, and it matters more than most leaders realize.
Vision is what comes from God. It's the audacious thing He's put on your heart that won't let you go. You didn't invent it. You can't shake it. It's calling you to something bigger than yourself.
Goals are the steps you make up to get there. Specific, measurable, dated. They're the scaffolding you build so the vision doesn't stay a dream.
Most leaders skip the vision part. They see a cool idea at a conference, come back, and try to change everything. Their teams burn out. Ken's advice: find a proven framework, commit to it for years, and let consistency do the heavy lifting.
The Core Five Framework
Everything at GSD Create flows through five non-negotiables:
- Faith—your relationship with God comes first
- Health—you can't lead if you're burned out
- Relationships—iron sharpening iron
- Business—stewardship of what God's given you
- Finances—generosity and provision
When you nail these five, the toxic motivators—Fear, Lust, Anger, Pride—lose their grip on your decisions.
The Gospel Simplified
Ken came to faith at 25 with zero church background. That outsider perspective shaped his passion: break through the religious noise and help people understand the purity of the gospel.
It's not about your performance. God created you in His image as a son or daughter, and He loves you. Period. When you get that, the rest—the sanctification, the growth, the resilience through failure—flows naturally.
What's Next: Proximity Live
Ken is bringing his message of relational leadership to life at Proximity Live, October 14-16. If you're an entrepreneur or leader looking to build stronger teams, clarify your vision, and understand why the right relationships are worth everything, this event is for you.
Key Takeaways
Relationships are the cheat code. Proximity to the right people, combined with intentional proximity to God, changes everything. When you build relationships with people further along the journey, you avoid potholes they've already hit.
A 46/10 moment is your daily reset. Seven to ten minutes of stillness, listening to God, and writing down your vision. Make it plain so you won't forget it.
Vision comes from God. Goals come from you. A vision without goals is a dream. Goals without a vision is busywork. You need both, written down and shared with your team.
The Core Five Framework covers everything. Faith, health, relationships, business, finances. Nail these five and you've addressed the toxic motivators at their root.
Entrepreneurs are busy and lonely. Information overload, algorithm-driven impressions, shiny-object syndrome—they all conspire to keep you isolated. Proximity is the antidote.
Consistency beats novelty every single time. Six years of written goals, a committed team, and a proven framework will multiply impact faster than chasing the next conference idea.
The gospel is simpler than the religious packaging. God loves you. He made you in His image. Everything else is worked out in relationship with Him and with other people.
Mentorship isn't optional. Find people further down the road and stay close to them. Iron sharpens iron. You cannot get there alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ken Joslin and what is Growth Stack Drive?
Ken Joslin is a serial entrepreneur, former executive pastor, and founder of Growth Stack Drive. He leads GSD Create, the largest faith-based entrepreneur conference in the United States, held every January in Atlanta. He's also the author of Fourteen Frequencies of Proximity.
What is a 46/10 moment?
A 46/10 moment is seven to ten minutes of intentional stillness where you be still, listen to God about what He has for you in this season, and write the vision down to make it plain (based on Habakkuk 2:2). It's a daily reset that prevents busyness from drowning out God's calling.
What's the difference between vision and goals?
Vision is what comes from God—the audacious thing He's put on your heart that won't let you go. Goals are the specific, measurable steps to get there. You need both, written down, or you'll either daydream or stay busy with meaningless activity.
What is the Core Five Framework?
Ken's Core Five Framework is five non-negotiables: Faith (your relationship with God), Health (you can't lead if you're burned out), Relationships (iron sharpening iron), Business (stewardship), and Finances (generosity and provision). Everything at GSD Create flows through these.
How does the Core Five connect to the toxic motivators?
When you nail the Core Five Framework, the toxic motivators—Fear, Lust, Anger, Pride—lose their grip on your decisions because you've built a foundation that addresses the real needs they're trying to fill.
When is Proximity Live?
Proximity Live is October 14-16, 2026. It's Ken's signature event where he teaches relational leadership, vision clarity, and how to build the relationships that multiply impact. Learn more and register at growstackdrive.com/proximitylive
What is GSD Create?
GSD Create is the largest faith-based entrepreneur conference in the United States, held every January in Atlanta. It teaches leaders how to grow in faith, health, relationships, business, and finances. The conference features 46/10 moments where entrepreneurs reconnect with God's vision for their lives.
What is Ken's book about?
Fourteen Frequencies of Proximity breaks down how proximity to God and to the right people reshapes leadership, decision-making, and impact. Ken explores the relational architecture that allows vision to multiply and teams to thrive.
What Toxic Motivators Are Hijacking Your Decisions?
Fear, lust, anger, and pride sabotage more Christian leadership decisions than any strategy failure ever could. Find out what's really driving yours.
