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Introduction
to John L. Housser
In Stephen Covey's book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People," he talks about how the first 150 years of U.S. history is built
around character ethic. Character ethic suggests success is built on
things like integrity, humility, simplicity, modesty and the golden rule.
Personality ethic, on the other hand, promotes social image, quick fixes
and techniques that clearly manipulate and can be deceptive when trying
to produce results for people. The "fake it 'till you make it" philosophy.
It was easy for me to enjoy this book as it encouraged the reader
to consider character ethic as the foundation to eventual success.
This is absolutely consistent with the fundamental beliefs, values
and goals engrained in me as a mennonite boy, raised on a dairy farm in a
rural community.
As a boy and young man, I heard much about
serving our fellow man. Helping people is like climbing a ladder, when
they reach the top, you will be only one rung behind. Employers being
servants to employees, fathers being servants to the family.
Love
people, use money. Don't love money and use people. Make sure you work a
day that when you put your head on the pillow at night you can say you've
earned your sleep. Value simplicity yet be thorough. Minimum fanfare,
maximum effort. The list goes on.
Being involved in the financial
services industry since July 1979, I certainly concur with Stephen Covey's
encouragement to stick with character ethic. The value system given to me
by my parents and community, has been my greatest gift, as I now serve my
clients, my community and my family.
Often times, I will see
situations where clearly the salesperson needed the commission more than
the consumer needed the product. Where the client was exploited when they
allowed themselves to be vulnerable, or where people obviously were
railroaded into a one size fits all solution.
Since 1979, I have
been a bank employee, life insurance company employee, a salesperson and
business owner. I would say each year my resolve has been to deliver our
services in a manner that maintains a good name for myself and my team.
"I will often see situations where clearly the
sales person needed the commission more than the consumer needed the
product."
Today we have the best team of staff and suppliers of
financial products and services that I've known.
I say this
because years ago a person might complete high school, maybe college,
maybe university, then got a job, a pension, then marry, buy a house, have
children, grandchildren, retire and make it safely through to death
without a major crisis.
Today, while children grow up, they watch
dad without a job, see/experience abuse of various forms, not want to grow
up, they finish school, enter into relationships, have children,
experience relationship breakup, get laid off, deal with health issues,
change careers 3 to 4 times, make their own pension, have children, move
back home, never sure if they ever can buy a house and so on.
In
my opinion, I believe our team understands, cares for and is most capable
of working with our clients as opposed to selling to them - a big
difference!
I wish you every success as you write the chapters of
your life and sincerely would like to be part of that process.
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