THE ONE REALITY YOU CAN’T COMPROMISE

By:?Craig Mitchell

President,?Robroy Industries Enclosures Division

I?recently read the following:

“The?bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of?low price has faded from memory.”

As?an “operations guy” leading a manufacturing company, that?quotation appealed to me. It clearly says: “there may be many?short-term, easy ways to gain business, but building a long-term,?successful enterprise requires a willingness to invest the hard work?necessary to achieve true value.” We all must put a priority on the most efficient ways of doing things. Very often that means finding ways of saving money. However, there are ways of doing that so that the results are positive for all, and there is the dangerous mistake of being “cheap” at the expense of quality, availability, and reputation.

More?importantly, perhaps, that statement reminded me that certain?realities of life must never be compromised, even (or especially)?when it seems the easiest thing to do.?

First among these realities:

Ultimately?you are only as good as your word.

Sound?like a cliché? Maybe.?But it is a fact of life that deserves to be repeated endlessly.

It?is also something that you can never, ever, ever, ever, ever,?compromise.

In?business,?our value is very?often judged on the basis of “what have you done for me today?” Yes, all businesses have loyal customers. But that loyalty cannot?be taken for granted. That loyalty is, in fact, based on the?consistency of your ability and willingness?to be as good as your?word.

Similarly,?as managers of people, our?credibility depends on being respected for the honesty of our?actions. Mistakes can be forgiven.?Weaknesses can be understood. But?acceptance as a leader and as a good human being is built almost?entirely on integrity and a?refusal to compromise a commitment to?“doing the right things.”

All?of us know individuals who seem to live by telling lies. Big lies,?small lies, it apparently does not matter. I often wonder: is this?because of laziness? Is it because some people feel that the truth?will not get them what they want?

I’m?not sure.

What?I am sure of is that it takes only one time of NOT being as good as?your word to destroy, forever, years of building trust and?credibility. One compromise and all the good for which you have worked can be gone. This holds true not only for ourselves, but also for the type of people who we allow to be part of our organizations, either internally or as outside resources. It is imperative to hold others to the same high standard of integrity. Those who are unwilling to accept a work-life characterized by uncompromising honesty must not be enabled to remain a part of what we do. The negativity of their presence puts all of our good efforts at risk.

Many?things in this life come in many shades and nuances. A few things, however, can be written clearly in stone: ?

??Say what you mean. ?

??Mean what you say.?

??Honor your promises and commitments.

??Treat others as you would have them treat you. ?

??Do not accept double standards.

Ultimately?you are only as good as your word. ?

No?excuses. ?

No?compromises.