Sunday, 22 May 2011

A Powerful Conservative Principle

I grew up as a very focused individual.  I had a strong 'performence complex' in which I thought the better I preformed, the more valuable I was.  This tragic view caused hardship and frustration: especially when my performance was poor.   It has taken me years to have learned my value is both fixed and high.  The most important Conservative value I can share is that we Conservatives need to be more focused on the right process, not the right result (obvious over riders exist: again this is a principle). 

In business we often are afraid to fail.  We are often afraid to admit when we make mistakes.  We 'defend ourselves' to the point of missing real opportunities of learning and growth. We esteem the 'result' because after all, that's what makes us money.
The contrarian point of view I have adopted is that although results are key and we need to achieve results, the process of how we function is far more important.  Facing the fear of failure and "going for it" is often better then not trying due to paralysis of action; especially if you line up all possible variables with key people.  We need to focus on relating and be grateful when people work with us to point out and correct our mistakes.  One benefit of this is we often are positioned to capture the 'gold nuggest' of improvement that is available to us when we embrace change.  Friends, these choices often brings permanent changes in our hearts and minds: we create new habits.  From this improved character, we begin to forge new connections in our brain and thus, our business capacity increases!  This increased business capacity allows for increased growth! 

In my business, I have found a 'raw approach' of desiring to connect with others and learning from mistakes far outweighs being defensive and fearful.  At first, people are shocked that 'the boss just exposed his mistakes and agreed with me'.  Then they realize that it is how we best learn; it is a safe environment to learn this way.  Further to this, I expect the same mindset and attitude from my employees whom I connect with.  I find I cannot tell others to think a certain way.  I have to model it and grow with them.

This is the same 'argument' that we make for limited government in politics: help people help themselves.  We just brought it to our business world: how do we open ourselves to others helping us so that we can help ourselves thorough changed perspectives!?

I encourage you today to think/ask others:
   -What area's in business am I either fearful or overly defensive (results may astound you)?
   - How can I allow other people to work with me to expose areas of fear and defensiveness? (Without being put down)
   - What long term results can I expect to see from this beautiful process?
   - Who can I serve by gently sharing this principle?

This Conservative principle is not only powerful when we 'live it out', but it also becomes a lifestyle argument to demonstrate this principle works against Socialism.  When we receive help, develop and grow, we make a powerful statement about change and advancement.  When we see others and come along side them, we make an equally powerful argument against the nanny state because we the people are both more loving and more efficient.

2 comments:

  1. I agree with you and admire your honesty. I read all of Ayn Rand's books when I was young and tried to emulate the heroic characters in her books. As a result I was very hard on myself and didn't know myself as well as I should have.

    But I think in the school system the praising of all efforts instead of focusing more on results has been a fiasco. If eveything is fantastic and everything merits a trophy, then true excellence is cheapened.

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  2. Also basket weaving should be a hobby and not a course.Canadian history should be taught,especially military history.And politics must be kept out of the classroom until the class is old enough to vote.No more indoctrination by these leftards.Also sex education can be taught at home.

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