I believe the saying goes that “all is fair in love and war”—but, I’ve known some folks in the business world who would likely add “and business” to that saying. I, however, am not really very cut-throat by nature and tend to have an over-developed sense of fairness. Does this mean that I can’t succeed in business or that my home business is doomed?
One of those painful lessons we learn growing up is that life just isn’t fair. No matter how hard we try to make this balanced and just—the world that we live in just doesn’t acquiesce to our desire for fairness. The world of business can really bring that lesson home. Think of all those things we’ve been told about how the “nice guy” finishes last and, if we believe what we read in the papers, it sure seems like that might be true.
Since I haven’t really taken any business courses or classes, and I definitely don’t have an MBA—I imagine that my sense of fairness might not be suited for the high-powered business world. But, it might be just perfect for my little home-based business! While I have had my share of competition and seeing ill-prepared and unqualified people seem to get ahead, that certainly hasn’t always been the case. Sometimes, the early bird DOES get the worm, and the tortoise DOES win the race. I don’t know if it is enough to balance things out or not, but it is enough to renew my faith in some degree of fairness.
So, my questions to you are—do you find your sense of fairness, or expectations regarding morals and ethics helps or hinders your home business? Do you find operating a business to be a test to your personal values, or are you of the belief that business is a “whole different world” than the other aspects of life?
See Also: How Volunteering Can Help Your Business and Should You Tithe or Give From Your Home Business?