As a prelude to the elections there was a story on the morning radio the other day about an elected official either convicted or about to plead guilty on three charges. Voters (supporters) said they’d vote for him anyway because a crooked member of their party was better than anybody from the other party.
While driving between meetings I was listening to a local talk show where the host and a guest sports announcer were justifying the Seahawks signing of a player who pleaded guilty of Insider Trading. They were excited because his suspension ends before the end of the season, so he’ll be back on the field. Never mind he’ll be sentenced to Federal prison in January.
The end justifies the means. I wonder how those voters would feel if a member of the other party was running after being indicted or convicted. Would the announcers feel the same way if a rival team signed a criminal?
I know there are people who feel this way about business; I don’t win if you don’t lose. It crops up occasionally in buy-sell deals. But most of my clients want a fair deal, want the employees treated fairly, and want customers to receive value.
It comes back to the old line, “If you tell the truth you won’t have trouble remembering what you said.” I can sense a good business when the owner tells me his employees get paid at the high end of the scale, turnover is low, or they do fun things like “beer Friday” or monthly BBQs. They want things done right.
“Only the doctor who has the disease really understands it.” Physician William Osler
