My Fair Share
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:
Generosity pays off. Call it an abundant mindset, but leaning toward generosity builds goodwill and keeps doors open.
Fairness is subjective. Everyone defines “fair” differently. You’ll never get universal agreement on it - that’s just human nature… deal with it.
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:
58% of voters said they wrestle most with “spotting the gaps”
Song of the week…
Tim Martinez
“The Inside Man”
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What a breath of fresh air, Tim! Thanks for focusing on this often overlooked aspect of our business lives. Bigger pies mean more value created for more people. Isn't that our true goal?