Criticism often tells us more about the person giving it than it does about the person it was meant for.
Years ago, while serving in a sales management role, I approached senior leadership about some ethical concerns I had about how we were starting to conduct our business under new ownership. Because it was the job of my multi-state sales force to promote our services in the marketplace, I felt it was my duty to ensure that what we were being asked to sell was what we could actually deliver—and it had gotten to the point where that was no longer true. As I continued to voice my concerns, I received feedback such as “Mark, you’ve got to be a ‘player.’” and “Mark, you’re too much of a Boy Scout.”
At first, I was taken aback by those comments and didn’t know how to respond. But I held my ground and ultimately resigned from that organization when things didn’t change. I had two meetings before leaving. The first meeting was with my sales team. I explained to them that I could no longer, in good conscience, ask them to promote services I didn’t believe in. The second meeting was with leadership. I told them basically the same thing, and then added, “I’m not going to be your spokesperson on ‘60 Minutes’ when things go south.” Incidentally, after I left, this organization eventually received undesired press coverage…
During the years since that experience, I’ve actually had other business “professionals” tell me in so many words—and sometimes in the exact same words—that I’m too much of a Boy Scout.
For the record, I was a Boy Scout in my youth (and later, as an adult, a Scoutmaster). In fact, some of the choicest memories I have of growing up center around Scouting activities. I believe that my deep involvement with the Boy Scouts of America played a major role in producing the man I am today. I enjoyed hiking and camping with other young men. Working on merit badges was fun, because each one introduced me to a new and exciting area of study. In fact, that very work led to my lifelong love of learning—about everything! Years later, a newspaper would interview me and call me “A Renaissance Man of Many Talents”—a label that has stuck with me my entire life.
Thanks to the efforts, and exemplary lives, of my Scout leaders—especially my Scoutmaster, John Rampton—I earned the rank of Eagle Scout. I am proud of that fact even though I believe John Rampton deserves my Eagle badge more than I do (something I thankfully told him before he passed).
So, when someone tells me that I’m too much of a Boy Scout, what are they really saying? Well, let’s look at the principles Scouting espouses. Those principles are contained in the four items every Scout is expected to memorize:
The Scout Motto: Be prepared
The Scout Slogan: Do a good turn daily
The Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
The Scout Oath: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Because people define words and the definitions of words evolve over time, there is some latitude in the definitions of the above terms, but each of them speaks of treating all of us—including ourselves—with respect, kindness, and integrity.
I remember how proud I was as a young man to dress in my Scout uniform (lovingly ironed by my mother), raise my arm to the square, and repeat the Scout Oath. I remember really wanting to be the kind of person the Scout Law and Oath described. I will admit that I haven’t always been successful in my efforts to live up to those high ideals, but I continue to try—and will do so as long as I live.
Now, in contrast to the principles of Scouting, let’s consider the principles espoused by some in the business world—those so-called “players” who would make light of the principles of Scouting. Over the years—as a manager, entrepreneur, and consultant—I have discovered that their credo looks something like this:
A player:
- Operates according to situational ethics, where the end always justifies the means.
- Believes that whatever helps them get what they want is “good,” and whatever impedes their efforts to get what they want is “bad.”
- Does whatever is necessary to win, because winning is everything.
- Believes that if you’re not a winner then you are a loser, and nothing is worse than being a loser.
- Believes that everything—and everybody—in this world is there to serve them, and they are willing to exploit those resources to get what they want.
- Misrepresents—even lies—in order to “buy low” and “sell high.” Such behavior is considered clever and a trait of a “good” business person.
- Is always on the lookout for a trusting and gullible “sucker” to exploit.
- Knows that there are bound to be casualties and unfortunate “externalities” along the way to their success. Those casualties and externalities are not their concern.
- Is comfortable using the statement “it’s just business” to justify the often-times disastrous consequences of their behaviors.
Unfortunately, the above credo has been adopted by many, throughout the history of our world, to create “success,” and it is on prominent display in our modern society. In fact, some reality TV shows shamelessly promote this credo.
While growing up, in addition to the invaluable training I received through Scouting, I was also fortunate to be acquainted with a number of successful business people and entrepreneurs. These people taught me, by example, that you can reach the lofty heights in business—and life—by following the tenets of Scouting.
It was my own father who taught me so many timeless principles of success and happiness—by example. Among the many things he taught me was the importance of giving your employer an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. He also taught me that when you give a person your word that you will do something, you have a sacred responsibility to do it. Thanks Dad.
When I finished university and entered the business world, I wanted to create my personal success the “right way.” I launched my own, personal, professional-development program. I read numerous books on how to create success and happiness in life, how to communicate effectively with others—both orally and in writing, how to achieve at the highest levels—and motivate others to do the same, etc. Among my many teachers were Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill, Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Og Mandino, Richard Bandler, and Stephen Covey (I actually met, talked with, and corresponded with some of them).
While engaging in my personal, professional-development program, I came across data from the famous Harvard Negotiation Project (which was nicely summarized in the book “Getting to Yes” by Fisher, Ury, and Patton). I learned many important principles from my study of that project that helped me further shape my business philosophy. For example, I learned that sustainable business relationships are always built on “Win/Win” agreements.
I eagerly applied the knowledge I gained from my studies to my work as both a sales professional and a sales manager. Ultimately, I was honored in both roles for meeting and exceeding company goals.
Because I had developed skills in speaking, teaching, and coaching in my sales and sales management roles, I was eventually recruited into the professional development business, where I worked with a number of respected companies—Day-Timer, Franklin Covey, Shipley Associates, etc.
I later started my own, professional-development company, Daily Renaissance. Over the years, I have authored over 20, professional-development programs on a wide variety of subjects—some are licensed to prominent organizations and marketed under their banners.
Interestingly enough, I was so influenced by my prior study of the Harvard Negotiation Project, and other books on ethical business practices, that I created a two-day workshop titled, “Negotiate so Everyone Wins!” It was well-received in the marketplace. While delivering workshops at one corporation, their general counsel approached me after a session and said, “Your course ought to be required for every lawyer who passes this state’s bar.” I considered that a nice compliment.
It’s been interesting, over the years, to see where my studies and work on ethical business practices and dedication to Win/Win agreements have taken me. It seems that people are hungry for this information. I believe that is because it simply makes sense.
I just finished a conflict mediation project, where I was able to help two, valued managers in an organization craft an action plan—based on Win/Win principles—detailing how they will work more productively together going forward.
So, where am I going with all of this?
I’m sure that you have surmised by now that I consider the statement, “Mark, you’re too much of a Boy Scout.” to actually be a compliment of the highest order. That’s how I choose to frame it. My many years in the business world have taught me that integrity and dedication to Win/Win outcomes lead to business success—real, lasting business success!
Years ago, I heard a prominent business professional say, “Business is about more than just making money. At its highest, business is the process of ministering to human need.” Now, that’s a definition of business I can get behind!
It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who wisely observed,
“Each man takes care that his neighbor shall not cheat him. But a day comes when he begins to care that he does not cheat his neighbor. Then all goes well—he has changed his market cart into a chariot of the sun.”
#Boy Scouts of America #Boy Scouts #Scout Law #Scout Oath