RULE YOURRULE YOUR WORLD

One of the greatest discoveries of life is the discovery of principles that govern
the universe. And that this principle, when understood and mastered work things in
our favour and guarantees our success. One of these principles is what is
popularly known as the “Golden Rule”, which says, “Just as you want men to do to
you, you also do to them like wise”. As simple and as precise this principle may
sound, yet it is an anchor and pivot of every other principle that determines the
well-being of individuals, the strength of an organization and the greatness of a
nation. This rule is a people-centered concept that makes success predictable in
organizations, marriages and businesses.
To properly explain how this Golden rule influences our success in every
sphere of our lives, I can’t but mention that this rule is a people centered
principle that focuses more on what value you add to the lives of people around
you than on what you stand to get from them. No leader has ever risen to greatness
without walking the path of this principle. When leaders become people-focused
they rise above self to become servant-leaders which make them leaders indeed, in
the true sense of it. Everyman and every leader that wants to become a man of
significance should embrace this Golden Rule for the following reasons:
i. No matter our goals and aspirations in life, we need the co-operation of
others to succeed. We cannot get this co-operation if we don’t learn to treat
people – employees, associates, and our spouses the way we would want them to
treat us. Nothing endears men to you like knowing that you truly care for them in
words, deeds and in your corporate policy. John C. Maxwell says, “People don’t
care how much you care until they know how much you care”. Everything we wish to
achieve in life has a lot to do with people. Every opportunity we could ever get
evolves around people. And our ability to get along with the people on whom our
progress depends, depend on how well we master this golden rule. Samuel Goldwyn,
simple puts, “Ninety percent of the art of living consists of getting along with
people you cannot stand,”
ii. You may possess great virtues like, courage and persistence and even be
highly skilled on your job, and yet fail if you don’t understand some fundamental
things about human nature. It is an irony that people spend fortunes to acquire
skills that enhance their competence and yet lack the people skill on which
success principally depends. John C. Maxwell in his book “be a people person”,
illustrates a humorous old story which highlights the importance of understanding
the people we deal with; A Baptist deacon had advertised a cow for sale: “How much
are you asking for it? Inquired a prospective purchaser. “One hundred and fifty
dollars,” said the advertiser. “And how much milk does it give?” “Four gallons a
day,” the deacon replied. “But how do I know that she will actually produce that
amount?” asked the purchaser. “Oh, you can trust me, “reassured the advertiser.
“I’m a Baptist deacon.” “I’ll buy it,” replied the other, “I’ll take the cow home
and bring you the money later.” The Baptist deacon asked “but how do I know that
you’ll not disappoint me?” The purchaser said, “I’m a Presbyterian elder, you can
trust me”. When the deacon arrives home, he asked his wife, “What is a
Presbyterian elder?” “Oh”, she explained, “a Presbyterian elder is about the same
as a Baptist deacon.” “Oh, dear,” groaned the deacon, “I have just lost my cow.”
Often times, we are not different from this Baptist deacon – having excellent
knowledge our products and services but with poor knowledge of people. The golden
rule places the responsibility of people skill on us. Because it takes knowing the
behavioral pattern of people to be adept in dealing with them appropriately.
Hence, the Golden Rules in a way challenges us to seek people-knowledge. For
example, I may be sincerely wrong in my effort to appreciate a person, if I know
close to nothing about his values and believes. John Luther says, “natural
talents, intelligence and wonderful education – non of these guarantees success.
Something else is needed. The sensitivity to understand what other people want and
the willingness to give it to them.”
iii. God’s help towards us often manifest through problems we care to solve for
others: Zig ziglar, the internationally renowned motivational speaker once made a
profound statement which says “if you can help enough other people to get what
they want, you will always have enough to get what you want in life”. In the late
1800s, a distinguished member of British parliament traveled to Scotland and had
his carriage stocked in a thick mud. A young Scottish farm boy suddenly appears on
the scene with a team of large draft of horses and helped this distinguished
gentleman out of the mud. This gentleman insisted on paying this farm boy, but he
refused saying that, “he’s simply being a good neighbor. Neighbors help each
other.” But this Member of Parliament insisted, “are you sure I can’t pay you for
this kind gesture?” But farm boy said, “No, it was the least I could do. It was a
privilege to help such an important person as yourself.” “What would you want to
become when you grow up.” Asked the gentleman. “A doctor, but I doubt that would
happen because my father is a poor farmer.” This distinguished gentleman however
promised to make his dream come true. Many years later, the son of this gentleman
became very ill to point of death with pneumonia. Just about this time, a new drug
called penicillin was discovered which eventually saved the life of the son of
this gentleman. And guess what! The son of this British statesman was Winston
Churchill, the famous Prime Minister of Britain during the Second World War. His
father, Sir Randolph Churchill sponsored Alexander Fleming the Scottish farm boy
who discovered penicillin to medical school. Haven read this story, with the
benefit of hindsight, taking into cognizance the strategic role played by Winston
Churchill during the Second World War, you will agree with me that, the simplest
way to rule your world is by living by the Golden Rule. Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
“It is one of the beautiful compensation of life that no man can sincerely try to
help another without helping himself.”

----SAMUEL AJANA. Sam.waymakers@yahoo.com

WORLD