My second Faith & Family Business series considers the book of Proverbs. Though written thousands of years ago, these proverbs still have a timeliness and power today. My aim is to consider these maxims in the context of our current experience of living and working with family members. Thanks for your feedback and sharing this post with others.
The wisdom in Proverbs is often communicated with comparisons to appealing things in life, like jewelry of gold or silver, honey, or, like last week, a well-built house. But in today’s reflection, wisdom is explained by using a negative image:
I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. (Prov. 24:30-34)
Visions of a dilapidated vineyard and a crumbling wall are used to convey what might happen to your property if you don’t work with diligence and perseverance. Furthermore, the resulting conditions - poverty and want - don’t just appear slowly, but come with the force and violence of robbers and armed men!
The lesson is that we can learn much through observing others. This is especially true in family businesses. We can watch how others make and spend money on their business and themselves. We can hear how they treat their neighbors, employees, vendors, and even family members. We can see how they support their community and industry. The goal of observing is not to judge, but to learn. If we assume we can always learn something from others, even if it is what NOT to do, we glean wisdom.
Have you learned what not to do by observing the behavior of others? What lesson do you hope other family businesses will learn by watching you?