April 14, 1912

That night the temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean dropped near freezing and because it was two days before the new moon the sky was pitch black.  Tiny pin-pricks of starlight barely provided the visibility necessary to navigate a multi-level cruise ship through the dangerous icy waters.  And at 11:43 PM when the call came from the sailor on the mast that there was a massive iceberg ahead, there was no way to steer the “unsinkable” RMS Titanic around.

Within 2 hours and forty minutes the RMS Titanic had split and broken and begun it’s descent to a darker grave on the ocean floor.  Legend has it, that the 8 piece RMS Titanic band bravely served the crew and passengers of the ship by playing the entire time.  Somehow providing a sense of calm and normalcy to people actually destined for death.  Sacrificing their own welfare for their passion, their job and their fellow man on a sinking ship.

Photo Credit: Getty Images – George Marks

In return, the family of violinist Jock Hume received the following note, dated April 30, 1912 (just two weeks after his death) from Jock’s agent:

In business we are daily faced with opportunities to interact not only with consumers but also our peers and sometimes competitors or adversaries.  In the course of the day many situations arise for which there are multiple solutions.

We shade these outcomes, convincing ourselves that our own shaded perception of the logic and reality somehow make the result justifiable.  Recently, I was taken completely aback to realize my own integrity had been placed on the line as individuals sought to reach their solution by any means necessary.

“It’s just business, nothing personal” one stated to me when asked how they could do this.  But the thing is how can it NOT be personal?  For most situations there is a mass availability of solutions, but we tend to seek the ones that will be the easiest and least painful for ourselves.  Throwing others under the bus, snipping at those attempting to help, charging the grieving family of a dead hero to make your ends meet.

Let’s not pretend that solutions which sacrifice others are the only outcomes available.  Like we are boxed into a cage with wild animals nipping at our heels, pressing for immediate and ill-planned actions.  Seeking results without first analyzing the situation, determining a cause or catalyst and testing solution plans which address it directly.

Good business is about doing the right thing and valuing your relationships.

Besides, you may get what you want in that very moment and situation.  But who knows what opportunities you will cut yourself off from in the future.  I’m not quite sure what the phrase “cutting off you nose to spite your face” means but I’m pretty sure that it applies here.

It’s never “just business.”

At least not if you are a good business.

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