My last post was all about how my greatest and most valuable lesson to date, the fundamental lesson of ‘honesty’, which started to serve, and open-up many doors and business opportunities for me very early on in my career. In today’s post I will outline how I still, to this day, lead with ‘honesty’, integrity, and openness at the forefront of my mind when embarking upon any deal or working relationship.
Things have changed so much since I started out, now I am liaising with top level executives and high end, high net worth elite business leaders from all around the globe, most of my deals are carried out in prime locations all over Dubai and the Middle East. (Though very different from my early and very modest beginnings, those early lessons still keep me humble and grounded today).
What I have realised in dealing with these high-level entrepreneurs, is that they all operate very similarly to myself, in that they all demonstrate total inner belief and conviction in themselves, who they are, what they do, therefore they also operate with ‘honesty’, integrity openness right from the outset. Because of this inner faith and belief in themselves, their products, and their services, they don’t need to utilise or use underhanded tactics such as deception, or manipulation.
We all embark upon our business relationships with long term objectives in mind and we all ultimately understand that our word is our bond and a solid reputable image in the business world, is our golden ticket to carry on opening more doors and opportunities.
To demonstrate the above, I will outline the mindset and approach I adopted recently when entering a new partnership (In-fact this is how I approach all the working relationships that I embark on). I had several meetings with a client, who is a very well-established businessman with high-level connections and networks at his disposal, he required offices in a prime location that I am currently managing,
We met several times and right from the outset, I approached and looked at this as a continual and long-standing relationship building exercise and project. I also looked at the bigger picture, as to how this communication could develop further, and not just as a short term hook up and link.
From the very start, I set out clearly what I wanted to achieve and the expectations that I had from these meetings. I went through all the financials, the structures, what I anticipated the outcome to be. Right from the outset I explained very openly and ‘honestly’ and laid my cards out straight, before any commitments were made, before any paperwork was signed, I then suggested that my client went away and think about it, to which he responded, ‘I don’t need to, you have outlined everything and been were very clear from day 1 and I am happy to proceed with you.’.
Because I had been direct and transparent right from the get-go, he was happy, and we embarked upon our new working relationship together, which I am sure will be highly lucrative and rewarding for many years, for both parties involved.
The lesson here, is that right from inception you must present your objectives, and what you want to achieve in whatever project you are embarking upon. I was very straight forward from the start, the parameters and boundaries were established, so that there could be no nasty surprises, further down the line that could have broken, or jeopardised the deal. We both knew where we stood and what we were working towards.
My experience in almost 3 decades in the business arena, is that most people know what they want when entering an arrangement, some people say keep your cards close to your chest, however I disagree and firmly stand by the notion that ‘honesty’ and clarity must always lead the way, and be at the forefront of your mind when connections are being made, and deals are being entered in to.
In the long-haul people will respect and trust you more, if you lay your cards out straight, rather than being closed off, moving the goal post mid-way, or deliberately trying to hide things. I’m not interested in that. If ‘honesty’ is not a discipline and approach that you have adopted, then my advice to you would be to start cultivating it enthusiastically. I promise you, that it will serve you as much as it did/has me, throughout your journey.
Until the next post…
To your success always.