What the Animals Know that We Should Learn
Photo by Andreas
I recently picked up a book titled "The Social Lives of Animals" by Ashley Ward. The cover flap informed me that "a rat will go out of its way to help a stranger, Vampire Bats will share their food with another who does not have any, and ants farm aphids in cooperatives." I bought the book. It continues to describe the social networks that constitute the animal world, which are far more complex and interrelated than we imagine. It tells me that animals understand the Economics of Decency better than we do.
The culture of the indigenous people of the plains was informed by their spiritual beliefs, which held all life to be sacred. When taking an animal for food, they would thank it for its gift. The spiritual beliefs that informed their cultures emphasized, among other things, the importance of valuing community over personal needs.
I think they understood the economics of decency better than we do?
The Gaza Strip, in spite of its challenges, was starting to make some economic gains for the people who lived there, when a small militant element initiated violence that will take the area decades to recover from, if ever.
In the emerging field of behavioral economics, the classic economic theory that individuals will always behave rationally to achieve the best possible outcomes is challenged. Behavioral economics emphasizes the psychological interplay among rational, perceptual, and emotional processes in human decision-making. These studies suggest that our economic decision-making can be as much as 70% emotional and 30% rational. Psychology tells us we make decisions emotionally and then justify them rationally.
This behavioral study came out of work by James Fleming and John Harter in "The Next Discipline." Jim Clifton, CEO of Gallup, calls behavioral economics the mathematical description of the role human nature plays in just about everything.
The importance of this study is summed up in their statement:
"The secret to driving higher levels of growth and profitability lies in understanding the powerful role human nature plays in the marketplace and the workplace.
A reminder of something we have relentlessly coached executives on... "When your people feel they are as valuable to you as your customers, you will get high performance!"
The economics of decency is not a moralistic approach to business; it is a no-nonsense approach to growing business, growing profit, and growing people to increasingly satisfy customers.
It takes the traditional aspect of capitalism – value growth, expansion, accumulation – and factors in empathy, caring, compassion, forgiveness, and human focus.
One study by Gallup research revealed that a study group of 10 companies that applied these principles outperformed peers by 85% in sales growth and 25% in gross margin growth during a one-year period.
Decency is a mindset; it demands awareness of our impact. It is about being tuned into our environment. It is best when it can be seen in the little things.
Colin Powell, in his book "It Worked for Me," shared such an example. When he was the Secretary of State, he slipped out of his office and away from his security and went to the parking garage to engage some people that worked there, mostly at minimum wage. He was interested in them and how they were doing, how they did their jobs. At some point, he said, "Something I am curious about." The garage could not accommodate all of the cars there, so they had to park them two or three deep. "How do you determine whose car gets out first and whose second or third?" With knowing looks and little smiles to each other, they replied, "Mr. Secretary, when you drive in, if you lower your window, look out and smile, or know our name, you are number one to get out. But if you just look straight ahead, ignore us, and that we are doing something for you, you get out last."
Economic gold is in the little things!
I think the animals know this, and I think the indigenous people knew about this. They were guided by the spiritual force that ties us all together and to the universe. We have ventured away from that path, unfortunately, and we can return anytime, fortunately. The economics of decency provide a simpler, more fulfilling, and rewarding path.
Have a great week,
Fundamental of the Week #25: PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS
Be rigorous about accuracy and precision. Double-check your work.
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