The 10 rep commandments: What does ethical success in business look like?

I only fairly recently understood that my career has centered on how creativity aligned with my quest to find spiritual guidance. Raised in a protestant Christian family, I soon felt rather disgusted (yes, that strongly) with what I experienced and learned about the church's role throughout history. Someone said:" I wish I'd met Christ before I met Christians." I felt that.

But things started to make sense once I separated my relationship with God from the format of dogmatic teachings and church-like institutions. It made a lot of sense on many different levels.

I understood that working on people's creativity put me in touch with their most godly properties. The spiritual and cognitive process of making the unobserved observable, from the thought realm to the physical realm. "In the beginning God created"... are the first words in the English bible. That makes 'created' the first verb in the good book. It's not 'will,' or 'going to', or even 'shall'. Nope, it's 'created.' That's not the only time the Bible adds significance to the concept of creation. I won't bore you with a list of verses that support that statement; rather, I'd spend some time on the following question; how to apply this spiritual compass in how we create value and, in turn, earn enough to take care of those we care about and ourselves?

It goes without saying that maintaining ethical standards is crucial for long-term success and reputation in today's business landscape. Embracing the power of integrity, truth, balance, respect, safety, faithfulness, honesty, truth, and contentment can pave the way toward ethical excellence and (hopefully) sustainable growth. These values resonate deeply with me in my search for timeless wisdom in ethical conduct in business. Let's call them '10 Rep Commandments. You know, for reputation.

1. Prioritize Integrity:

The first commandment instructs us to have no other gods before the divine, urging us to prioritize moral values and ethical behavior over profit. In the realm of business, integrity serves as the cornerstone, guiding us to act honestly, uphold strong principles, and remain steadfast in our commitment to ethical conduct. Usually, this one isn't the hardest to stick to, until the bigger bags of money come into play.

2. Embrace Truthfulness:

The commandment against making idols resonates with the call for truthfulness in business. Avoiding false claims, deceptive marketing tactics, and dishonest practices is crucial. Embracing transparency and communicating honestly with clients, partners, and employees fosters trust, credibility, and long-term relationships. This one, in particular, tests relationships to the max, truth is sometimes seen as the antithesis of 'doing business.'

3. Seek Balance:

Remembering the Sabbath day encourages us to find a healthy work-life balance. This translates to recognizing the importance of rest, rejuvenation, and overall well-being in business. By promoting a work-life balance culture, organizations can nurture happier, more productive employees and foster a sustainable and positive work environment. This concept has been hardwired into our Diamond Goal methodology.

4. Cultivate Respect:

Honoring authority figures and parents is echoed in the commandment to respect others. Treating superiors, colleagues, employees, and clients with respect and fairness is paramount in business. By fostering a culture of respect, organizations can enhance teamwork, collaboration, and mutual support. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Until someone holds 'unacceptable' views, in your perspective. Now you're working on yourself, trying to stay calm and letting the person finish their points. But can you really respect it?

5. Prioritize Safety:

The commandment against murder emphasizes the value of human life. In a business context, this calls for prioritizing the safety, well-being, and dignity of employees, customers, and all stakeholders. Implementing robust safety measures, promoting a healthy work environment, and advocating for individuals' physical and mental well-being is crucial. With a broader range of views, types of people, and higher diversity rates, the concept of 'safety' has become a top 3 concern for organizations. Do your people feel safe (enough) to even speak up?

6. Uphold Faithfulness:

The commandment against adultery extends to the realm of business ethics, urging us to maintain faithfulness and honesty in our dealings. Upholding commitments, honoring contracts, and avoiding fraudulent practices are essential for building trust, credibility, and strong professional relationships. This may become harder as you have diminished control over circumstances or cashflow-dry-spells. That's where the true test lies.

7. Practice Honesty:

The commandment against stealing reinforces the importance of honesty and fair dealings. Respecting others' property rights, refraining from intellectual property theft, and avoiding unethical acquisition of assets or resources are crucial elements of business ethics. Honesty and integrity in financial transactions and reporting also foster trust among stakeholders. Since we tend to rationalize our behavior and business in light of our business objectives, this principle is usually the first casualty.

8. Seek Truth:

The commandment against false witness emphasizes the significance of truthfulness and avoiding deceit. In the business world, this translates into ethical practices such as accurate representation of products and services, transparent communication, and avoiding misleading or false information. It would be easy to conflate honesty and truth, but not everybody who tells you the truth is necessarily being honest with you. Feel me?

9. Embrace Contentment:

The commandment against coveting encourages contentment and gratitude. In business, this mindset leads to fair competition, focusing on personal growth and celebrating the success of others rather than engaging in unethical practices that undermine or exploit competitors. Share the blessings you've been given for free.

Gorgeousness, ten commandments for business:

Drawing from the Ten Commandments, we've uncover a roadmap for ethical success in business. You're welcome.

Organizations can build a strong ethical foundation by prioritizing integrity, truthfulness, balance, respect, safety, faithfulness, honesty, and contentment, fostering trust, and contributing positively to society. Embracing these principles ensures business longevity and paves the way for a more compassionate, sustainable, and prosperous business world.

Now, go in peace, and multiply.