The Dangers of Money (Pt. 5)
“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.” —Henry Ford
In this series on the Dangers of Money, we’ve focused on keeping money and profit in perspective. The most important question you need to ask is: Why do you run an organization? By providing an excellent service or product that satisfied the needs or pain points of your clients, you are building relationships. This is the reason we work: to make the lives of another better. That’s why we need to be aware of this possible danger:
Danger #5: Money Can Keep You from Starting New Relationships
Sure, you need to make a profit, but, as Michael Scott from the Office says, “We’re in the people business.” Running an organization is about people. A compelling vision, a good reason why your idea is worth the effort, and a solid plan is attractive to people. And people – more than anything else – are your most valuable resource. As you do things well, stay creative, work hard, and do it in the right direction, you’ll change the world (or at least your little section of it), people will be impacted for the good, and new relationships will develop. And relationships are the most important resource in the world. After all you are building something great. And as the African Proverb advises, “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go with others.”
Don’t let money get in the way of that.
The psychologist Abraham Maslow is famous for developing his Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow argued that every human being has needs. The most basic and foundational need are psychological: we all need food, shelter, and air. But lurking around the corner is an animal that would like to eat us, or a neighbor that wants our land. That’s why we have safety needs (personal security, employment, health, etc.). When a business is successful a deposit hits our checking account. Individuals are secured.
Just up the rung, Maslow pointed out that each person has a need for love and relationships. A relational community, including intimate friendships, create a sense of purpose and identity. People want to have purpose, need to be included, and feel validated when they have something to offer (esteem). This is all essential if a person can reach the top of the hierarchical pyramid: self-actualization (becoming the most one can be).
Dignifying work and a great workplace culture can offer this to you, and to the people in your organization.
When an organization is built to sell a product or service it offers housing, food, and shelter to its employees, meeting a person’s most basic psychological needs. This is the basic level on Maslow’s Hierarchy. But an organization does more than provide the basics. If built on good principles with relationships and people in mind, organizations should offer relationships, and even friendships, by building a good culture and environment. This creates a pathway for owners, leaders, and employees and each walks the road to self-actualization.
(How does a leader build a good culture? That is what is discussed in the InTandemWorks eCourse and One-on-One Coaching sessions. For more information, click here).
That’s why money is a danger. It can fool you into thinking that if the basic needs are met, then everything is okay. But that’s just not true. I know people who make good money at large companies, but hate their bosses, their co-workers, and their own lives. Because the money flows, it is assumed that all needs are met.
But they’re not. And that’s dangerous.