There are those who believe and expect the best out of others. And there are those who believe and expect the worst. Which are you (most of the time)?
Our beliefs about others determine how we treat others, and how we expect to be treated.
We can approach the world with openness and generosity, and receive the same in return. Or we can expect every one will treat us badly so we try to screw them first to stay ahead. We create the world we want to be in through our beliefs, expectations and intentions. We make our own heaven or hell.
This is equally true for business relationships as it is for personal ones.
The positive approach: How can I help? Let’s go there together. I will share what I have/know with you (because life continues to give me plenty). I know what I am about and will stick to it.
The negative approach: What do you want from me? Someone else will steal it anyway. I am just doing what I am told. They would screw me given half the chance, so I am getting in there first. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, everything is scarce, and I am looking after dog number one. How can I win (everything)?
What is behind our expectations? Our values, beliefs and principles!
Business-as-usual tends to be designed to expect the worst from people. Thus the plethora of “thou shalt not” rules and regulations. Bosses expect employees to be lazy, untrustworthy, and incompetent. What sort of working environment does this create?
Wouldn’t it be amazing to work for someone who believes you are more than capable, treats you with dignity and respect, and trusts that you will do your best for the company? Where are the rules that say: Thou shalt be valued; Thou shalt find fulfilment; and Thou shalt be your best?
Similarly government services like social security treats every one as a potential welfare cheat. Does this actually demonstrate an authentic intention to help? Is it worth treating the majority of honest welfare recipients badly (and thereby potentially compounding their already desperate situations) just because there will always be a small percentage who are cheaters?
How we approach others determine the results we get back.
The good thing is, we have full control over our expectations. We can choose how we approach and deal with the world. The positive expectations approach won’t prevent us from getting screwed sometimes unfortunately. What it does do is maximise every possibility of engaging richly and authentically with others. This can only bode well for business, which after all is all about people relating to each other!
