I’ve always believed that ethics in business aren’t just a nice-to-have – they’re the long-term hedge, the reputation builder that keeps you aligned when money and opportunity tempt you to cut corners.
Sure, I could have made faster money or held onto a bigger slice of the pie. But I’ve always chosen to own a smaller piece of a bigger pie… and to build that pie with partners, investors, employees and vendors who feel they’ve been treated fairly. By “fair,” I mean the golden rule: treating others the way I’d want to be treated. Even when that hasn’t always been reciprocated, I can sleep well at night knowing I did what felt right.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few things:
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Generosity pays off. Call it an abundant mindset, but leaning toward generosity builds goodwill and keeps doors open.
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Fairness is subjective. Everyone defines “fair” differently. You’ll never get universal agreement on it – that’s just human nature… deal with it.
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Flexibility beats rigidity. The trick is to stay flexible, yet firm. Think – bamboo or a yogi on one leg – strong, grounded, but able to bend when needed.
At times, people will disappoint you. That’s inevitable. But the real failure is when we disappoint ourselves – when we fall below the ethical, moral, or right standard we know we should live by.
In the end my friends, ethics pay the highest dividend – the one that matters most: being able to look yourself in the mirror.
Poll Results: The results are in from last week’s survey:
Song of the week…
Tim Martinez
“The Inside Man”
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Grab my latest book “Do Good Work” – Minor Shifts, Major Impact (buy here)
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Take TIMgpt for a spin.
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