There are still places in this world where men can uniquely differentiate themselves from each other. The sports field is one, business is another. But sometimes it can be hard to know when to do the right thing and so to keep you on track we’ve written a quick reference guide for when you need a little inspired inspiration.
ETHICS & INTEGRITY
Let’s jump straight in. As your career leads you onto greater success or your business starts to thrive, the temptation to taking shortcuts or circumventing laws around tax and compliance issues will inevitably become greater, especially in a world where it seems that everyone’s doing it. But the truth is, well – that’s not the truth. Ask yourself what kind of man do you think you are? What kind of role model are you to your children? What kind of Australia do you want to have a part in shaping? If the moral reasons don’t compel you, then the financial ones might – turns out, it’s not just good practice to conduct yourself with integrity but doing so collectively will add $45 Billion to the economy.
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
There’s a way of competing that sets you apart. Sure you can position yourself as the cut-throat financial broker or real estate developer, but remember that the feet your stand on today, may well be connected to the posterior of the body that you have to kiss tomorrow and in an economy that is becoming increasingly interconnected, don’t think you can get away with it forever. If you’re having a crisis of conscience, then remember this: this is the age of the whistleblower. Anyway, being a leader and a respected man amongst men means that you’ll be instrumental in creating opportunity, not stifling it.
THE LEGAL EAGLE
When you conduct business, there is a framework of laws that you have to operate within and so if you want to be the best possible version of yourself in business, then you need a legal partner that reflects those ambitions. Whether it’s intellectual property lawyers that keep your mental currency safe or your financial team that keeps your nose clean with the taxman, surround yourself with ethically-minded partners that will keep you on the straight and narrow.
WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S JUST NOT CRICKET
So you’re out there building your network and you’re committed to ensuring that you and your teams fight the good fight. So what do you do when you’re confronted with someone else who isn’t? This is tricky and should be handled with care. In an ideal world you’d be able to take your partner, client or supplier out for a beer and a chinwag but these days it’s just not that simple. Although if they value your business, they’ll hear you out Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it’s nearly always rewarding and when you set the standard in your network and community, that way of operating has a way of rubbing off.
Note to self: It doesn’t mean that doing business the right way means that you’re a pushover. Laying out your expectations, making decisive decisions and standing by them, admitting when you’re wrong and working to correct it when you are, are all signs of that once prized attribute: being a gentleman.