Does Your Business Have a "Philosophy"?
Lots of fancy terms get thrown around in the workplace. Consultants and other assorted "gurus" love using them; makes them sound like they've got some special expertise the rest of us lack. While some make sense, most, frankly, are nonsense. Of the ones that could make some sense, we might include mission, vision, core values, and philosophy - at least when they're used in a manner that helps to more clearly describe and define our business, when they help us better perform our jobs. The first three - mission, vision, core values - may be more common than philosophy. But if the definition provided by Inc.com is accurate, we can see how a business philosophy might help both the owners and their employees stay on the same page and work more efficiently towards making a success of things.
In addition to helping clarify relationships in the workplace, having a clearly stated philosophy also helps the customer understand what to expect from you and your company. And it's not just for big businesses; small businesses benefit as well.
Looked at in this light, having some sort of business philosophy seems to be a good idea. And if having a business philosophy makes some sense, then a philosophy of life makes even more sense. Don't you think? Of course you can find all sorts of philosophers and philosophies out there purporting to lead you to a better life. Again, some may make sense; some can be not only nonsense, but downright bad for you. But rather than spending our precious time sorting through the good, the bad, and the ugly here, let's go right to the best. We Catholics know exactly where to go to find the true source of any worthwhile philosophy of life. That would be, of course, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Here's a clear distillation of Our Lord's "philosophy of life" (emphasis added):
“Christ’s task was not only to redeem men, but also to teach them a true philosophy of life…He had to expiate sin by pain and death. He had to merit grace for all mankind by His Sacrifice. He had to repair the outrage inflicted on God’s majesty, through sin, by a satisfaction in which the honor rendered to God should outweigh the dishonor inflicted on Him by the transgressions of all men. His work did not end there. Having restored men to life, He had to teach them a philosophy of living. His philosophy was clear and simple. It propounded that man’s highest good on earth was the attainment of the spiritual life, and that what man chiefly shrank from (suffering) was a most potent aid to the realization of this spiritual life. Recognizing that happiness was the legitimate objective of human endeavor, He taught that the happiness attainable on earth was to be found only in the spiritual life, that is, the life of intimate union with God.” (Father Edward Leen, C.S.Sp., 1885-1944)
The Gospels provide us with the words and actions of Our Lord when He dwelt amongst us and taught us how to live. We don't always think of His teachings as a "clear and simple" philosophy, but with Father Leen's gracious assistance we can see how they were and are; so take them to heart. If the highest good on earth is the attainment of the spiritual life, do all you can to develop your spiritual life each day. If suffering serves as "a most potent aid to the realization of this spiritual life," rather than shrink from those difficulties, discomforts, and outright suffering that come our way - big or small - embrace them, joyfully if you can. Such is the only true source of any real happiness we might hope to find in this world.
A company's philosophy is a distillation of its culture or ambience into a group of core values that inform all aspects of its business practices.If you've worked for more than one company, you've likely experienced variations in "ambience" and "culture." Some places foster cooperation, collegiality, team-work. Problems aren't just yours or mine; they're "ours." The same applies to accomplishments. Other companies focus on individual goals. Praise flows to those who produce; the heat is turned up on the person who lags behind.
In addition to helping clarify relationships in the workplace, having a clearly stated philosophy also helps the customer understand what to expect from you and your company. And it's not just for big businesses; small businesses benefit as well.
An effective corporate philosophy helps a company develop a certain corporate culture, ethical practices and strengthens the relationship between employers and employees. It also positions the values of the company in the minds of others both within and outside of the organization...it helps to build long-lasting, trusting relationships between your business and clients.The most effective business philosophy not only takes into account culture, ambience, relationships between employer, employees, and customers but manages to state these in a simple, direct manner. In this manner, a business philosophy can guide us as we strive to do our best each day and add palpable value to whatever business in which we engage. If your business has managed to define such a philosophy, embrace it. It can serve as a source and motivator of any success you may hope to accomplish each day.
Looked at in this light, having some sort of business philosophy seems to be a good idea. And if having a business philosophy makes some sense, then a philosophy of life makes even more sense. Don't you think? Of course you can find all sorts of philosophers and philosophies out there purporting to lead you to a better life. Again, some may make sense; some can be not only nonsense, but downright bad for you. But rather than spending our precious time sorting through the good, the bad, and the ugly here, let's go right to the best. We Catholics know exactly where to go to find the true source of any worthwhile philosophy of life. That would be, of course, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Here's a clear distillation of Our Lord's "philosophy of life" (emphasis added):
“Christ’s task was not only to redeem men, but also to teach them a true philosophy of life…He had to expiate sin by pain and death. He had to merit grace for all mankind by His Sacrifice. He had to repair the outrage inflicted on God’s majesty, through sin, by a satisfaction in which the honor rendered to God should outweigh the dishonor inflicted on Him by the transgressions of all men. His work did not end there. Having restored men to life, He had to teach them a philosophy of living. His philosophy was clear and simple. It propounded that man’s highest good on earth was the attainment of the spiritual life, and that what man chiefly shrank from (suffering) was a most potent aid to the realization of this spiritual life. Recognizing that happiness was the legitimate objective of human endeavor, He taught that the happiness attainable on earth was to be found only in the spiritual life, that is, the life of intimate union with God.” (Father Edward Leen, C.S.Sp., 1885-1944)
The Gospels provide us with the words and actions of Our Lord when He dwelt amongst us and taught us how to live. We don't always think of His teachings as a "clear and simple" philosophy, but with Father Leen's gracious assistance we can see how they were and are; so take them to heart. If the highest good on earth is the attainment of the spiritual life, do all you can to develop your spiritual life each day. If suffering serves as "a most potent aid to the realization of this spiritual life," rather than shrink from those difficulties, discomforts, and outright suffering that come our way - big or small - embrace them, joyfully if you can. Such is the only true source of any real happiness we might hope to find in this world.
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