30 Mar Don’t Quit On People
The Business Of People
The “people” business encompasses everything and everyone. People will disappoint, embarrass, disgrace, upset, fail, betray, malign, hurt you and without a doubt, this is the most challenging business you will ever have (be in) but regardless of what people do, “Don’t Quit on People.”
A while ago, I stumbled upon “The Paradoxical Commandments” during a difficult period in our organization and it was literally at the right time providing a much-needed boost to my team’s morale. It isn’t surprising that this article has circled the globe numerous times, been placed on walls, featured in speeches and articles, preached from pulpits, and shared extensively on the web. The Paradoxical Commandment has been referenced by many – parents, motivational speakers, mentors, managers, teachers, and industry leaders in business, military, government, religion, education, non-profit organizations to mention a few. Interestingly, Mother Teresa placed the paradoxical commandments on the wall of her children’s home in Calcutta.
The Paradoxical Commandments highlight a simple message, in my opinion, the message of perseverance. Uniquely woven to address the typical human events faced by all with insights on how to manage contradictions, people, challenges while also sternly persuading the reader(s) not to lose perspective and quit. It is an encouraging and refreshing read and I hope you are touched as you read this as well.
Remember, “Don’t Quit On People.”
The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001
Article originally posted on www.hybridleaders.org
Image: Anon (Unknown but Acknowledged)
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