Make a Long-Term Investment

Today’s corporate environment places a higher premium on results rather than relationships. Most managers demonstrate an utilitarian attitude towards their employees. Any attempts to put people above profits are interpreted as signs of weakness. Yet employers are grappling with issues of loyalty and commitment. Somehow, we need to enlarge our perspective and view our employees as full-fledged human beings who have lives beyond their corporate responsibilities—to embrace a philosophy of life that is inclusive rather than exclusive. Here are three basic reasons why we are actually wired to understand and that the self-centered life actually works against us in the long-term.


The Need for Connectedness. Richard Foster commented that “superficiality is the curse of this age”. While we are more connected technologically, somehow the myth of self-dependency has added an extra layer of callousness in our attitude towards others. Is it any wonder then that depression and aimlessness become the general malady of today’s urbanized society? Take the step to have more face-to-face interactions with family, friends and colleagues. Spend more time talking rather than texting!


The Need for Completeness. A leader is someone who is comfortable working with others who are smarter than himself or herself. Seeking to understand rather than to be understood creates an ethos of interdependency that encourages meaningful teamwork. Isn’t this a wonderful paradox? When we realize that we are not as smart as we think we are, we gain a whole new appreciation for the skills and talents of others!


The Need for Clarification. We have “blind-spots” (areas of personal weakness) that only others can see! As a student, I had this funny habit of sticking my tongue into my cheek whenever I wanted to emphasis a point of delivery in my speech! I was completely oblivious to it …until someone cared for me enough to tell me. The effort in understanding others also entails a desire to receive understanding when others admonish us for our benefit.

Article by by Joseph Tan