Corporate Karma
You've heard of karma, right? What goes around comes around, you get what you give, you are what you eat...? Well, maybe not the last one, but you get what I mean.
I believe in karma. I did long before I knew what it was. There's a balance in the universe, and putting positive stuff in means you're likely to get positive stuff out. But it goes beyond giving money to charity or helping an elderly person across the street. It permeates everything we touch and do.
What do I mean? I once read that you get the partner you deserve. This applies not just to life partners but also to business partners – both fellow shareholders and the people you transact business with.
This thought came to mind when my personal trainer mentioned a well-known NZ business person who had ripped off a number of people. It was as simple as taking ideas and as dastardly (I love using that word) as not paying people what they were due, preferring the court option instead. If you haven’t experienced this, in New Zealand, the outcome tends to favour the person being chased. Even my lawyer has said, “The only people who win from suing are the lawyers”. This means we often end up in the disputes tribunal – which, if you’ve ever been there you’ll know that it should be renamed as the “major pain court” or “no gains court.”
Anyway, this gentleman faced endless challenges. His business partner left, taking key ideas, designs, staff, and customers. Apparently, he was heard crying “Poor me!” when, in reality, he’d shafted his partner, spurring them to give him a taste of his own medicine. I wonder if he’d treated his partner fairly, this wouldn't have happened.
This simple story reminded me that you reap what you sow. Things will always come back to bite you somehow. If you're a bad customer, you'll probably end up with bad customers. If you don't pay suppliers, your customers may not pay you. Treat your staff badly, they’ll leave and damage your employment brand, maybe even intentionally on their way out.
So, do right by others, and they’ll probably do right by you.
Now, don’t think I see the world as a fluffy, cotton-wool-wrapped place of niceness. I always enter new relationships with open eyes, checking closely for actions that match words. If there’s a conflict, I’ll address it. If nothing changes, it's time to get out.
Could your karmic force use a polish?
Cheers,
Josh
"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."
– Dalai Lama
"How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours."
– Wayne Dyer
Book for deeper reflection on this subject:
The Art of Happiness
by the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler
This great book explores various aspects of human happiness, combining the Dalai Lama's insights on Eastern spiritual traditions with Cutler's Western psychological perspective. The content is structured around conversations, stories, and meditations that provide practical advice on dealing with everyday challenges such as anxiety, insecurity, and anger. In this challenging business climate we could potentially all do with some help here. "The Art of Happiness" offers a blend of theoretical insights and actionable steps to cultivate a happier, more compassionate life.
