Day Momo (Des Moments) August 1st-15th
The Lesson: Be the “screwee,” and not the “screwer.”
Huh? What did he mean?
Did he indicate to let people walk over you? No. Did he convey to lose business on purpose? No. Did he refer to conformity to people that are not a good fit for you? No.
Was he expressing that “getting screwed” is sound business practice? NO. NO. NO.
What he meant was do the right thing. Don’t screw anyone over. EVER.
What he stood for was this: Think about the other person. Help the other person. See the other person’s side, and do what’s right. Do what’s best for everyone involved. Don’t screw anyone over.
This 92 year old man is my Grandfather, Pop. He has been a successful real estate investor and developer for decades. Yet, more importantly, he is the definition of integrity, and has a heart for the ages.
He told me a story, that represents his character:
In the 1980’s, his company developed 15 or so beautiful condos in New Jersey, on a cliff, directly facing the New York City skyline. The first condo sold quickly for the price he was asking. However, the other 14 or so did not sell They were sitting on the market, so Pop had to drop the price of each condo $20,000. The price drop worked effectively, and the rest of the condos sold.
Afterwards, Pop voluntarily decided to write a check for $20,000 to the first buyer, who bought at the original, higher price. The buyer did not ask for this. It was 100% voluntarily. Pop felt it was the right thing to do. The buyer was extremely surprised, grateful, and filled with admiration for Pop. The buyer occasionally has bumped into Pop, and mentions how much that meant to him.
That story defines the bedrock of a thriving business. That’s credibility. He may have lost $20,000 in revenue, but he also gained a customer, a voice, and a fan for life. That gain supersedes $20,000 in revenue, in the long run.
How?
That $20,000 value immediately transformed into $1,000,000 or more of intangible value that cannot be measured. He handled all aspects of his business this way. This approach; feeling and thinking about the other person, and doing right thing, has earned Pop much more than $20,000.
Integrity and heart in business. Integrity and heart in life.
That’s Pop.
Thanks for the story, and the lesson Pop! It will not be forgotten.
-Joseph Metcalfe
Related posts
Great job Joey!! Pop has always been an inspiration, & Jeff uses a lot of stories & principles in his career as HS Principal. His favorite is, “if you come to me with a problem, also come with a solution. There is absolutely no problem in the world without one.”