Well, here I am, sitting down to write another weekly article for Market Leadership Journal. Truly, it’s just another task in an ongoing routine. Frankly, I just want to get it done so I can check this item off my list and move on with my day. If you like what I have to share, that’s fine. If not…well…whatever.
Moving on through our business ethics-based analysis of the timeless seven deadly sins, we now come to the sin of “avarice,” otherwise known as greed. Yes, we all know how Google is so full of greed that it “wants to own the internet” as part of its evil plot to take over the world. Why else would they offer so much to us for free?
As we continue our exploration of the timeless “seven deadly sins” from a perspective business ethics, we move on to the sin of gluttony. As I did with the topic of lust last week, for our purpose here, I’m going to pivot away from the outward human tendency that the sin represents (in this case, the over-indulgence of food and/or drink), and dive a little deeper into the dynamics that might drive any of us to over-indulge in food, or many other earthly pleasures: that is our human tendency toward instant gratification.
In work and business, we can find countless examples of one person using another for their own gains, and doing so in a way that is void of respect or recognition of human dignity. How can we keep ourselves from falling into this way of thinking and behavior?
Last week I shared my excitement for the Pope’s first visit to the United States, and how we, as market leaders (and market makers) can learn from his outstanding example as a great messenger.
At the continued risk of mixing religious themes and how they apply to business principles, today I am introducing an underlying theme that will continue through the next several weeks.
This week, even in the secular news media, Americans will be seeing plenty of coverage of Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States. This is not just his first visit to the U.S. as pope, but his first visit ever. Pope Francis will have a busy schedule—meeting with the president, addressing Congress (another historic first) and the United Nations, and then on to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families. And again, the news will be all over it. Which begs the question: why is Pope Francis so popular, even among those who regard themselves as non-religious?
For many business leaders, a big obstacle they often face to growing their business is actually running it. Are you making the best use of your time?
Not long ago I was in a meeting with some business colleagues. As we were wrapping up our discussion, one member of the group, an established graphic designer, shared a portfolio of previous work she had done over the years. It was actually a simple, yet elegant photo album of business logos and corporate identities she had compiled. Another member of the group was flipping through it, wishing that he had something tangible to share with prospects of his own. However, his profession wasn’t graphic communication! It was tax, accounting and payroll services! “How do I demonstrate my work in a portfolio?” he asked. Indeed, how do you “show” rather than just tell?
Several years back, when I was carrying an iPod classic, I purchased a clock radio called an “iHome.” You have likely seen them or other similar models still around for the iPhones—they serve as a charging base for your iPod and will also play your music. They are great—and you can set your alarm to wake up to any iPod tune you wish. Like most clock radios these days (albeit the term “clock radio” seems a bit outdated), my iHome had a “snooze” button. In fact, it’s the largest button on the top of the console, so my slumbering hand can easily find it when the alarm goes off, and I am not quite ready to get up.
Not long ago, one mid-afternoon I stopped into a Target store to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy. While neither the store nor the pharmacy counter were very busy that time of the day, I found myself waiting a bit longer than expected to get served for my pickup. When I reached the counter, there was only one other customer there–an older lady who had picked up her medication only moments before. She was clearly engaged in talking to the store clerk about some issues she was having–stresses brought on by family or health I guess. The clerk did not appear to be saying much; she was really allowing the customer to do some private venting of some sort. I did not see it very long (wanting to respect the lady’s privacy), but I do know that it lasted at least ten minutes.