Kirk Douglas, in his autobiography, relates an amusing story. Driving along on the outskirts of Los Angeles one day, he stopped to pick up a hitchhiker. As the young man got into the car, he recognized the famous actor and, in awe, asked "Do you know who you are?" Astonished by the simplicity but also the profundity of the question, Douglas pondered its meaning and considered if he even knew the answer.
Knowing who we are is fundamental to shaping ourselves, our companies and our firms into who we really want to be and how we are seen by others. I firmly believe that successful and trustworthy companies are intentional and purposeful in their efforts to produce quality products and services and to sell those products and services within channels and systems which rely on truth and transparency. These same companies and firms know who they are when it comes to treating employees as partners and associates, being sensitive to their care-taking environmental role and being an active and positive presence in their respective communities.
Yeah, I know that sounds like “motherhood and apple pie.” Nice words but does anyone believe it or do it? Actually many companies and firms—and I think most—subscribe to a purposeful plan of always knowing who they are and how they should behave in the marketplace.
Ever hear of Tom Hill, Chairman of KIMRAY, Oklahoma City? Not only is Tom an outstanding leader of a remarkable company (recently awarded Center for the Public Trust’s Being a Difference Award), he is also the founder of an international organization, Character First! which provides families, schools, businesses and other organizations materials and training for building character. His company, KIMRAY, manufacturer of control valves and related equipment for oil and gas producers, reflects Hill’s values by convening all its employees once a month, informing them of company performance, plans, and, yes, its values. It’s just one more step in building character in a company and its employees.
Tom Hill’s 2010 book, Making Character First, is a guide to building a culture of character in organizations. I was impressed with the Pocket Guide accompanying the book, which lists 49 character traits and their opposites and I offer them to you as not only a summary of the book but also a checklist of meaningful attributes to consider personally and professionally:
Alertness vs. Carelessness Attentiveness vs. Distraction
Availability vs. Self-Centeredness Benevolence vs. Selfishness
Boldness vs. Fear Cautiousness vs. Rashness
Compassion vs. Indifference Contentment vs. Covetousness
Creativity vs. Underachievement Decisiveness vs. Procrastination
Deference vs. Rudeness Dependability vs. Inconsistency
Determination vs. Faintheartedness Diligence vs. Laziness
Discernment vs. Shortsightedness Discretion vs. Recklessness
Endurance vs. Despair Enthusiasm vs. Apathy
Faith vs. Ignorance Flexibility vs. Stubbornness
Forgiveness vs. Rejection Generosity vs. Stinginess
Gentleness vs. Harshness Gratefulness vs. Presumption
Honor vs. Disrespect Hospitality vs. Loneliness
Humility vs. Arrogance Initiative vs. Idleness
Joyfulness vs. Self-Pity Justice vs. Corruption
Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness Meekness vs. Rage
Obedience vs. Rebellion Orderliness vs. Confusion
Patience vs. Restlessness Persuasiveness vs. Contentiousness
Punctuality vs. Tardiness Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness
Responsibility vs. Unreliability Security vs. Worry
Self-Control vs. Self-Indulgence Sensitivity vs. Callousness
Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy Thoroughness vs. Incompleteness
Thriftiness vs. Extravagance Tolerance vs. Hostility
Truthfulness vs. Dishonesty Virtue vs. Vice
Wisdom vs. Foolishness
Do you know who you are? Does your company or firm know who it is? A review of the character traits listed may give us further insight to answering the question that befuddled Kirk Douglas.
Ad astra per aspera
