The Humility of Good Business
It’s 8am. My son is off with his nanny for the day, coffee in hand, I’m approaching the office and I see a rather conspicuous notice taped to the window of the architecture firm directly next door. I decide to take the peak. The place is eerily dark, lights off, something sort of ominous about the place. I take a look at the notice. It’s a court ordered eviction summons, cease and desist immediately, five days to respond to New York State Superior Court. $83, 575 dollars in delinquent rent owed. Wow.
$83, 575 dollars! That is an incredible amount of money for just about anyone. That says to me a number of different things. For the sake of context, our office is on a quaint street in SOHO New York. It holds a certain cache, being still cobblestoned, and free from most of the click-clack of tourist foot traffic. A number of creatively inclined businesses hold office space on the block. It’s quite pleasant actually. With that said…
First: $83K back rent is not a problem that manifests out of thin air, like an inconvenient zit on the morning of a first date or something. This is the result of long term business negligence, arrogance, maybe both.
Second: Just the day before, the doors were open, employees buzzing to and fro. The next day… death hanging in the air. This tells me management most likely kept their employees in the dark as to how dire straights had become. I had become friendly with many of the neighborly staff. The polite wave, smile or hello was common. I had sensed no impending disruption in the day’s prior. I couldn’t help but ponder the anxiety, shock and dismay to get that call, or maybe even email. 10pm, preparing for work, you’re checking your Blackberry before settling in. “Dear, so and so, don’t come in tomorrow, we’re bankrupt and a year behind on the rent.” Devastating.
Third: The pretense of contemporary business has become the source of such an enormous amount of failure. We’ve had a first row seat to the dismantling of business lies here in NYC. It’s been called derivative financial modeling, faulty accounting, mis-calculated assets, fraud, Ponzi schemes. All of it rooted in this rather sickening sense of entitlement. Business owners of all shapes and sizes wore like a pretentious lapel pin that said “screw you, I’m not accountable”
I’ve always believed that the fundamental principle of humility does not have to exist in conflict with supreme self-confidence. They are not exclusive of each other; rather they are like emotional and mental sisters. Supporting each other in the pursuit of what some would call PERSPECTIVE. I challenge, and believe every PRO family member is part of the crème de la crème. The top 3%, but this does not mean we are infallible and without room for constant improvement. Becoming individually stagnant is the mark of indifference and ignorance. I force myself to learn something new every single day, knowing that constant progress is the mark of the proactive. The mark of the successful.
Evaluating our neighbor’s situation, I see a telltale sign of extreme hubris. The arrogance to not believe in adaptation. Being negligible of the simple business principles and having a sense of humble foresight. I have a favorite quote I use often from Einstein that states: “the mark of insanity is doing something the same way over and over and expecting a different result.” Good business is about having enough humility to know your practices are not perfect and keeping your ego in check. Knowing that your current success is not promised, it’s earned. It’s earned with a commitment to consistent evaluation, with listening and learning. Lessons of extreme value are amongst us constantly. Only those with the humility to accept their own imperfection as not an indictment on their ability, but an opportunity for betterment, see these lessons.
I also saw the importance of community. Success is the result of a collective energy, focus and common goals. A commitment to the success of the other only positively augments your own pursuit of achievement. The way these employees were marginalized, rendered more than just replaceable, but expendable is sad. The mark of good business is a belief that everyone has value, a sense of value breeds a sense of responsibility, a sense of responsibility breeds an environment of effort, an environment of committed effort breeds success.
We are in the midst of an economic situation that has been the result of, and mired in the muck of ENTITLEMENT. Living in New York, the epicenter of commerce the effects of this pervading arrogance have been more than apparent. Yes, we all deserve to have our hopes and dreams come to fruition. We deserve to provide for our children what we couldn’t have imagined experiencing ourselves.
I leave you with this.
“You’re never as good as they say you are, You’re never as bad as they say you are.”
“Stay humble when winning, Stay hungry when satisfied, Complacency Kills”
All my Best,
Jay Kubassek
Posted: July 10, 2009
Filed under: Jays' Letters
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Pride too, but greed more than that.
thanks Jay. this exact situation is happening in most parts of the world on a far too regular basis these days. for the prepared, it spells massive opportunity. the unprepared? those are the people we should strive to connect with each day.
its not a good time to be an ostrich….certainly not an arrogant one!
Kip
Great stuff Jay….and to quote Andrew Cass, from the stage the other night in the Dominican Republic….”When you think you are doing enough, think again..because you are not!”
I can’t help wondering how many orphans in the community of attrition have more than just kindred spirits in the family of success. Reach out!
Once again Jay, my respect for you has lifted to another level.
I am relieved to read this and want you to know that I believe one of the
major reasons for your success and that of your company, is your constant
willingness to evaluate and tweak. It really does display humility.
I am elated to be a part of what you represent.
Thank you,
Melanie Phillibert
Very well said Jay.
A perfect reason to get down and dirty and make something happen for yourself, and stop blaming others for your lack of results!! The mentality of “It’s not my Job” can no longer exist..living a life of abundance is all of our Job’s so do something about it!
“…humility does not have to exist in conflict with supreme self-confidence. They are not exclusive of each other; rather they are like emotional and mental sisters” This is the balance we all seek in ‘doing no harm’ and being true to ourselves and respectful of others. Thank you for that confirmation of what I knew instinctively.
Nice word.You`re right,complacency kills.
Interesting Article Jay and I can’t help but think of the Employees and others who may be affected.
Unfortunately I believe it is a sign of the Times and I also believe our Education System has played a Big Part in this problem,at least here in Australia anyway
” Everywhere I go I Thank The Lord for CCPRO ” and I haven’t made a Dollar as yet ! ( Only 10 days since Starting )
Jay,
Thanks for these words, they speak powerful truth. I have spent way too many years on the other side, right in the middle of the muck you describe, looking for someone doing things the right way. I am proud to be associated with you.
Best Regards,
Chip
This is something we can all use in our business ethics, never forget our employees they are one of the most important parts of our business. We need to make them feel a part of our business and give them opportunities give us their ideas and thoughts. New and great ideas and ahaa moments can come from the most unlikely source ie: our employees as they have a working knowledge of what we do.
Great to keep in mind to that no one is infalable.
Thanks again Jay for this wonderful reminder for all of us.
May we all create the success we desire.
Regards
Thanks for the encouragement and the great perspective on this Jay.
It is sincerely appreciated.
in life there are persons who choose to always give a hand up to others around them.May God Bless them for without them many would not had a chance to go forward and make a great difference in the world as a whole.We all could use their ways rather than be selfish.The sad part of this life goes by faster than we notice and they find that in giving they retire will very little for thier selfs if there were more givers than takers we could all live in peace and suffer less.these persons should be given respect and support by the many they have helped.to many today have a me only matters,leaving behind those who have gotten them to where they are.Money is great but the manner you choose to use it is far more important in life.We all will die one day and the- money can not go with us.These souls have more love and happiness that lasts forever in the minds and hearts of those they have given too.We all should try to help others and share our lifes and riches with anyone in need.I have never been given anything on a silver platter and worked hard into my senior years knowing I have made a differanace in this world.
Dear Jay
Thank you for your letter, you are very fortunate to be one a special person,
who has worked very hard, and has had the opportunity of making a very good
income, as many people try so hard, to be successful, as I have found, you must
make a lot of money to be successful, and not everyone has the opportunity such
as you have, your letter was very helpful, we all know we are not perfect, although we alway try to be, as every industry, require good skills, and perfection in order for that business who you are working for to be successful,
With the economy being as such it makes it harder for everyone, as everyone keeps
their cost as low as possible, in order to cover all the expenses, and salaries,
which in most cases are very low, as cost are going up every day, everyone has been cutting back, whereever they can. I have also found that everyone also wants
and expect perfections, and do not care how they receive its just expected, and they also do not care about other peoples feeling. this also hurts a lot of people’s feelings and do not care about the consequences, and this hurts business
everyone goes out of there way, to make the customer happy, regardless of the cost
as well, this is when the business loses money.
Again I thank you for your wise information, and will also remember this each day
to try and change our ways, and look at a better way of doing things, age also has a lot to do with business, and when people live in areas where there is not
much chance of making a better income, as the rates are still very low, here in
Canada and the US and all over the world, you just have to continue to do your best, and encourage people, to not give up, as one day it will be a better, that it what everyone hopes for, even yourself, you must find, you are not able to produce what you would like, at this time, but it will get better for you, and you will once again become very enthustic again.
Thanking you again
Donna Yule
Well, fully agree with your finding, every day people success, people fail.
Team work is a way to be successful, extend help other to success and No
sooner you will be successful yourself. That is what the saying goes.
I for one has been trying desperately to look for a program for working at home,
but, fail. I sincerely appreciate you do see my comment and get back to guide me.
I have copy of Your CCPro CD, which I have paid as early as 2008. To-date I have
try to contact you but, fail with No respond from you. I am prepared to work as much as needed and hope I am able to have the oportunity to be guidedby you. Thanks.
Humility in everything is important. It not only helps in one’s self confidence but it also makes a person a good human being. When applying this concept in business, not only the business will flourish, it will bring other benefits also, like mutual understnading and cooperation among the employees.
Thank you Jay for your letter because it made me realize how right you are. A wake up call for everyone in business and one of the best examples of greed and sheer arrogance on a mammoth scale are the worlds Bankers. Their complacency has managed to destroy the dreams of countless millions and they are still getting rewarded for bad business practice and utter incompetence. They have this important lesson to learn but I doubt they will ever be humble!
I totally agree, I see it every day – and with the sense of entitlement comes greed for money and greed for power.
Love this community!
It is very easy to become complacent and just expect everything to remain the same. Always good to try to stay one step ahead. Not always possible but must at least try.
Eloquently written! Captivating!, I really enjoy’d reading the story. Thank You. Roxanne
Once again, a feeling of profound gratitude for the privilege of belonging to this community fills my being – Thank you…
No offense meant, but prejudging the architecture firm might also be wrong. The same result can happen when the firm sustained the operation in the hope that market recovery will come sooner. The displaced workers could have been part of the reason for the closure and the back rent was the sacrifice made to sustain the payroll. Management/shareholders could have closed the company before losing all of their assets.
Procrastination. You have to be proactive when things start to go bad. There was a time when they were only 4K in the hole.
A very good and, I believe, accurate piece. We now have several generations of people who have been brought up with an entitlement mindset. Very sad, but true.
You are right on, as usual Jay.
Yes, New York has been hit hard by the greed and possibly complacency factors, the only problem is, that not only do the greedy pay for their greed, but a big part of the country, if not the entire country is, or is going to pay too and until government stops backing them up and the SEC and/or other governmental agencies actually starts doing what they were put in place to do, which is watch out for and stop all these ponzie schemes and insider trading boondoggles, then it will just keep on happening again and again, wouldn’t you agree?
Ralph Justice
http://www.ralphjustice.com
Confidence is different than arrogance. Healthy confidence has humility built in mostly because trying includes falling and getting back up again.
Prosperity is earned and can be achieved as a healthy attitude while living on the edge of a new world order.
Cheers,
Dr. Pat
[...] To read the entire article click here. [...]
Jay!I see Businesses struggle as Business People relapse into a state of Helpessness. Too many try to “Do it on Their Own”, which must really hurt.
How much is based on Not Knowing.
Thanks for the grain of salt that tempers the body and wisdom strengthens the soul
i want to know how to become a member?
Humility is not only good business, it is good living. Jay: thanks for you example.
Jay,
Your letter shows a clear insight into some of the dysfunctional attitudes that have preceded the current economic condition our country is in. This type of self-analysis and reinstatement of ethics on the part of the business community will help point the way back to prosperity and increased jobs in this society.
Thanks!
Laurie Cummings
Très intéressant! Always on the target! Congratulations!
Good word!
I love reading your articles Jay. You’re so insightful and I truly enjoy learning from you. Your commitment to serving our community here is touching. I’m proud to be a PRO family member.
Anthony
the letter was lovely . and very fitting for our time . ihave pubilshed a prayer book and iwould like everyone to go to ebay and buy same at 056proctor geniun
The only time you stop learning is after your death!!!!!!
I still try to take in something each day and I am 63
Totally agree with you Jay thank you for your letter of support and of wisdom you have hit the hammer on the nail.Paul and I have been doing the same thing routine for the past 20yrs and we realise it hopefully not too late but how ever you have given us the vehicle to change all that with collective community energy
very powerfull stuff.
The Humility of Good business.
Respectfully
Yours
Maki
Very insightful Jay, and on the mark. I’m not sure where our current economic bust started, but it certainly includes the, “screw you, I’m not accountable” attitude that prevailed in the mortgage industry, where home buyers were being approved for Sub prime loans they could not possibly sustain. It was criminal in my opinion, and you have to wonder how those involved (the brokers and dealers) slept at night.
Then, as the causal layers of the bust started to get peeled back, the common denominator seemed to be a huge lack of personal honesty and business integrity. Who is responsible for the maintenance of business integrity? In my opinion, it starts with the leaders of business organizations, who are in a position to influence the prevailing “culture” in their organizations that should inherently include personal honesty and business integrity. Unfortunately, the leaders of the implicated sub-prime mortgage companies, banks, and other financial institutions had no concept of personal honesty and business integrity.
For me, one of the most compelling and gratifying feelings of being involved with CCP and WMI comes from the sense of personal honesty and business integrity emanating from the leadership of both organizations. I believe the resulting organizational cultures of CCP and WMI will anchor our success in the Internet Marketing world where the lack of personal honesty and business integrity is overwhelming, or at least suspect.
Thank you for your leadership.
Dennis
I try to incorporate these practices in my life and my business every day by reading books such as Deepak Chopra’s ‘The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success’, or ‘The Adversity Advantage’ by Paul Stoltz & Erik Weihenmayer’. These types of books remind me of the importance of maintaining a humble perspective (and what’s likely to happen if we don’t!) and at the same time, helping me to be aware of the bigger picture.
And while Canada may not have suffered the depth of economic malaise the U.S. has experienced, it’s probably not from lack of trying: greed, or a ‘me first’ attitude, does not have national borders.
David
Excellent article, Jay! We both have the same opinions on how Entitlement has been a force of destruction in our society. I love being associated with CCPro because you, Aaron, and the other leaders take responsibility for your actions and expect your members to do the same.
Dear Jay I agree with the first reply Kirt Germond .However I think a proactive attitude of service will build a entrepreneurs efforts considerably.
Great article . I can relate having recently been let go from my J.O.B. from what I can only attribute to out and out GREED . The employee does not matter anymore, we’ve become in their eyes expendible and easily replaced, its all about the bottom line and that sickens me ! There is more to life than just a fat bottom line ! When people don’t come first, we all suffer .
The atributes of humility is compare to embrace people from different backgrounds and all walks of life, in the spirit of sharing the essence of personal and colective care towards the Light, humility equals to care when come from heart and apply with sicerity of excellence for all.
Hey JK,
The last part with your take away was by far some of the greatst knowledge I have gained from you todate.
All my best,
Kirk Paterson
Jay, that was a very well crafted message that says a great deal about you as a person! I believe that you are “right on the mark” with your comments! Especially in lieu of what’s happening with this wild government spending spree, and struggling economy. I have looked at your business opportunity before but never acted for a variety of reasons, mostly because of all of the scams on the internet these days….but with what you have revealed about yourself in this letter, I’m going to take another look at CarbonCopyPro.
Thanks for your insight Jay!
Randy Vernetti
Hi Jay, I spoke briefly by phone to Carrie, listen to the recording “The Truth About CorbonCopyPRO”,I saw the “Reviews” video about the sucess of your company and now the letters from Jay make’s it real that there are still people who like and want to help other people. I really like the things I have heard and saw. You’re the type of company I have a desire to be. Your closing remarks “Stay humble when you are winning,Stay hungry when you are satisfied. Complacency Kills. That says it all. Thank you for your insight and for caring enough to share.
Im so happy I finaly find something which put all puzzle together,everything what was deep in my mind and soul,everything I thought abut for so long.Make long story short I view this business opportunity like global movement to help world become a better place to live,opportunity to find like minded pople in order to help everyone to see that there is abundance in the world for everyone who is able to see it.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts ,very inspirational…..