You won’t believe this response 😯
I had a conversation with a local business owner about how they handle conflict resolution in light of what we teach our students at Encounter School of Ministry – Palm Beach Campus. I was happy to hear that Active Listening was a part of their response process. But what they shared with me next was truly enlightening:
They said, “Our customers are everything. We know that our business would not exist without them. We do business in this town sure, but we also live here and we go to church here and if we’re to run into anyone of my customers at the bagel shop over a weekend or getting groceries with my family I don’t want to have to worry about if it’s okay for me to say, Hi. If we can’t do business in such a way that we both walk away with mutual respect and civility then we’ve failed and our business will fail and we will have failed the Lord and each other.”
Wow! 😯
I don’t know about you but that’s the kind of person I’d like to do business with. What about you?
You might argue that their response was as it were simply because they are a person of faith. They’re also veterans too. But I would argue that many business owners today use those words rather like a trump card and less like a rule of life. Just because someone says they are something doesn’t mean they are. The truth usually comes out at some point. In the way they speak to others when they think no one is listening. In how their deceitful practices affect the character growth of their employees, family and their own children. It’s hard to hide your true character from family. Especially Children. Children are always looking and listening to the adults around them. And they usually emulate the ones around them most.
In an age where 1-star reviews can be removed and businesses with money and clout can deafen the voice of the vulnerable and victimized with threats of defamation and endless litigation, Men with integrity really stand out.
It’s growing increasingly harder to know what’s true unless you’ve lived a life knowing Who is Truth.
In today’s day the phrase “You’re word is your bond” really packs a punch.
In some cases it will pay the bond of your eternal freedom while for others it will bond them to eternal death.
Choose your words carefully, friends. Be a person of integrity. Even when no one is watching. The Lord sees all.
