Honesty and Business Ethics

 

This week in our study of Honesty and Business Ethics, I was really inspired to shift in my thinking about my professional life and entrepreneurial focus. 

Elder Lynn G. Robbins gave a wonderful speech about the intent and focus of our professional and business efforts titled “Making a living and a Life” given in a devotional at BYU Idaho in October of 2010.  In this speech he reminds us that our first an primary purpose is build the Kingdom of God, including strong and valiant families and that how we behave is more important than our financial success. 

I have long believed that the primary purpose of a career or starting a business is to make a living and provide for my family and then others.  That in the role of breadwinner focusing on financial success was most important.  I didn’t believe that it was ok to bend or break commandments or take advantage of others.  However, with Elder Robbins’ letter grade matrix, he clearly identifies motives with the highest ideal given an A grade and the lowest form of motivation given an F. 

Here is an excerpt of his speech that describes the A grade or highest ideal of motivation:

“If a love of God and fellowmen is the primary motivation, then the working man or woman will be a kingdom builder and a full-tithe payer. They will have a "zeal towards their fellow men . . . and will be perfectly honest and upright in all things" (Alma27:27).  As a laborer they will be "worthy of their hire" (Luke 10:7).  As an employer they will give a "just recompense of wages," (D&C 124:121).  They will be a beloved employer and endeavor to help, not only their customers, but also their employees and community. They will have a baker's dozen mentality with superior customer service. Sometimes this person will even render service at no charge to help someone in need, such as those doctors who travel to Third-world countries to help the disadvantaged.  Their products and services are of the highest quality.  

Those at the A-level aren't working for mankind, but living for mankind, trying to lift and help others.  In addition to making a living, they are making a life.  They have a different vision than those at lower levels.  Because of their love for their fellowmen, they define their business in terms of customers' needs, such as a builder of homes rather than merely a brick mason.   At levels B through D, business is usually defined in terms of products and services rather than customers' needs.” (Lynn G. Robbins, Making a Living and a Life” BYUI Devotional 10/12/2010)

After listening to, pondering on and then going back and reading this talk I believe I need to shift my thinking and then my focus to what Elder Robbins calls “a love of God and fellowmen” as the true priority of what I do professionally and keep income as a secondary priority.  I want to be an A level professional, and need to work to develop the mindset and skills to be able to do so.  I also want to work for or create A level companies.  What a joy it would be to know that the focus of the business and people I work with are focused on doing good and striving for the highest quality products and services, with superior customer service.

As I ponder on this, I believe that a professional or company that puts Elder Robbins’ advice to put “the love of God and fellowman” as first priority and as the standard by which it’s mission and objectives are created and measured would not likely have to worry all that much about the secondary objective of sufficient income.  That income is likely to be a natural result of doing things in a superior way.