Strong Words from a Business Man

Have you ever had those moments when your values were challenged and you failed to rise to the occasion? A time when you could have said how you really felt, but instead let fear fringe your convictions and dampen your burning ambition to do what was right? I've had several such occasions recently, and the memories tear me up a little each time I compare what I should have done to what I did. 

I've tried to find guidance on how to resolve the matter, and insight has come from a random source.

In my attempts to educate myself on business and anything business related, I've been scoping the Harvard Business Review (thanks to the encouragement of the my father). Obviously it's interesting and insightful, and the material covers hundreds of topics; but today I was particularly enlightened by the following quote:

"...it’s easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time. If you give in to “just this once,” based on a marginal cost analysis, as some of my former classmates have done, you’ll regret where you end up. You’ve got to define for yourself what you stand for and draw the line in a safe place." (Clayton M. Christiensen, How Will You Measure Your Life, HBR). 

 The author in this article shares some insights he's learned over the past few decades since graduating from Harvard's Business School. One of those insights includes the just-this-once theory: the idea that you can jeopardize your standards just one time for the benefit of a temporary pleasure or thrill. The author argues that your commitment to your principles is one of the most valuable characteristics you can gain as a business person and as a regular human being. No job, no ambition, no prize is worth the sacrifice of personal integrity and commitment. 

The author explained his feelings with a personal experience. As an Oxford basketball star he enjoyed the perks that come with great athleticism. He was on the undefeated team and headed to England's equivalent of the NCAA championships. Just when everything seemed perfect, the author learned the championship would be hosted on a Sunday. Being a committed religious person, the author debated for a long time about whether or not he could cross the line just this once on keeping the Sabbath Day holy. He ultimately decided not to attend the championship. This disappointed both his team and coach. They were devastated. Snide remarks and negative feedback were all he got the several weeks before the game. But he held to his scruples, and described his feelings as such:

"In many ways that was a small decision—involving one of several thousand Sundays in my life. In theory, surely I could have crossed over the line just that one time and then not done it again. But looking back on it, resisting the temptation whose logic was “In this extenuating circumstance, just this once, it’s OK” has proven to be one of the most important decisions of my life. Why? My life has been one unending stream of extenuating circumstances. Had I crossed the line that one time, I would have done it over and over in the years that followed."

I admire this man's commitment and discipline. I appreciated that he made his decision a matter of prayer and pondering--you don't usually read about that kind of commitment in your average business publication. This examples has inspired me to re-evaluate my principles and decide whether I'm committed or not. Because if I'm not, I should probably get working on that 100%. Like the author says: it's a lot easier to stay committed 100% of the time rather than 98%. Intentionally slipping just once can lead to a downward spiral of disappointment, regret and unhappiness. 

So, two questions remain: what do I stand for and where have I drawn the line?