Class 15 - You Can Count on Me
1. Write a list of five general promises you will make to someone to whom you feel loyalty. These are five benefits they can expect from you in business because of the nature of their relationship with you. Examples might include:
I promise to not hide bad news from you. I promise to fully understand and consider your ideas. If I disagree with them, I will take the time to explain my reasoning to you because you are my friend. I promise not to harbor ill will toward you and will speak to you immediately if there is something between us.
· I will always be upfront and honest about concerns in the relationship
· I will defend your actions to outsiders that don’t know you as well. Anything I can’t defend will be brought up to you before I respond so I can understand your reasoning.
· I will fully consider your input on my own pursuits and ideas
· I will take your side in disputes as long as the side does not conflict with my own values
· I will be upfront about how others perceive you, regardless of whether the perception is favorable.
2. Now write five general boundaries you will not cross in business, simply because you feel loyalty to someone. Examples might include:
I will not jeopardize the financial health or reputation of my firm in order to help you. I will not show favoritism to you over others if they are more qualified than you are. I will not lie, deceive, or break the law on your behalf.
· I will not break the law to defend you.
· I will not defend you in instances that you interfere with my girlfriend or personal life.
· I will act in the best interest of the company, regardless of your input.
· I will not defend or support you in any activity that will significantly put my net worth at risk.
· I will not feel compelled to tell you every detail of my life, but just the things you need to know to make an informed decision.
3. Present your lists to a friend, colleague, or family member who you would consider doing business with. Ask them:
The level of loyalty is mutual between my friend and I. We have already discussed out loyalty to each other at length in the past as well.
4. Write answers to the Reflection Questions in your journal. This exercise will take approximately ninety minutes.
1. Are you more loyal or less loyal to others than they are to you in business? In personal dealings? Why?
I am ridiculously loyal to people that I have respect for, many times probably more loyal to them than they are to me. However, I have a close-knit group of people that I have defined the boundaries of our loyalty in the past. I have a general propensity to trust people quicker than I should and to be too optimistic about the prospects of a friendship or business relationship. I have to hone in my optimism when meeting new people.
2. For whom will you be most tempted to make exceptions to your loyalty boundaries?
My best friends that have been loyal to me for so many years. I have a general disposition to defend my friends in any situation, but I have to remind myself that when people close to me act outside of the law, I cannot put myself or my other friends at risk.
3. Will you share these lists, or ones like them, before you enter into a business arrangement with someone previously in your life? If so, when and how? If not, why?
Absolutely. These are the kinds of lists that are integral in creating a clear upfront contract with each other. Clearly defining your business relationship, especially if you are close friends, will help each one of you from stepping over the line and clearly define expectations to hold each other accountable.