A weekly thought for leaders with the courage to introspect.
better business with ππ½πΆπ°ππ²πππ.
When business as usual is no longer possible, due to illness, loss, setback, conflict, that is the perfect time to ask yourself:
What does 'business better' look like?
The answer is as simple as it is powerful:
Do what is in your power.
And accept what it is not.
That wisdom comes from Epictetus.
Roman philosopher. Stoic. Slave. Free man. Teacher.
Epictetus knew what he was talking about.
He believed that external events are determined by fate β by forces outside of us. Things that you as an individual have no influence over.
Your product is being discontinued.
Your partner runs off with your money.
You lose a leg in an accident.
Life is capricious.
What should you do then?
Do not move.
Don't look away.
Don't complain.
But calmly and soberly accept what is beyond your power.
And focus all your energy on what you can do.
Epictetus drew a sharp line:
What is within your power?
What not?
That clarity sets you free.
Because the energy you don't waste on frustration, you can invest in direction, recovery, action.
And yes, that also applies to prosperity.
Was the quarter fantastic? Numbers in order, champagne in sight?
Stay calm.
No streamers.
No confetti.
Accept it as it is and move on to doing what is in your power.
Epictetus also taught:
Put every event into a larger perspective. You are a tiny part of the imperfect organization called Earth.
Astronaut AndrΓ© Kuipers once said it aptly:
βI was looking at India from the ISS: a billion people. An hour and a half later I saw India again.β
You are small. The world is big.
Did you lose a leg?
That's painful, yes.
But the earth keeps turning.
And millions of others have been living without it for years.
Once you stop wishing it were different, space opens up.
Resignation follows.
And in acceptance you can better assess your situation.
Act more clearly.
No drama.
Without self-focus.
With force.
Because only then can you do what is in your power.
And that⦠that brings you to better business!
The space between the words is where insight arises.
Until next week when our thoughts touch again.
Hans Ruinemans
The Boardroom Monk β―οΈ