By Carlos Barboza
In today’s business world, while a company is an entity by itself, the behavior of individuals within that company significantly contributes to its overall perception and success (or failure). Companies often invest in policies, training, and ethical guidelines to ensure that employees’ behavior reflects positively on the organization as a whole. In a few words, your personal values defines your company values.
A couple years ago, I read a book called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. This Mexican author uses ancient Toltec wisdom to offer readers a powerful code of conduct to free themselves from self-limiting beliefs and find personal freedom, happiness and joy.
This book offers profound principles that can significantly improve workplace interactions, teamwork, and overall, a unique culture by applying four agreements:
• Be Impeccable with Your Word
• Do Not Take Anything Personally
• Don’t Make Assumptions
• Always Do Your Best
So here we go.
The first agreement
“Be Impeccable With Your Word”
Miguel says, “It is through the word that you manifest everything… What you dream, what you feel, and what you really are, will all be manifested through the word.”
Let me give you an example. It’s pretty common in a business environment to have gossiping and/or comments that do not produce any virtuous results. This type of situation won’t lead you anywhere but to frustration. In order to keep it simple, my advice is “what you think is what you become.”
By committing to these agreements, businesses can navigate challenges more effectively, build a positive and productive culture, and achieve sustainable growth and success.
According to the author, words create states of consciousness; and these determine your thoughts, which, in turn, are manifested in the results. Therefore, you have the power to make the decision that you want to create, and that situation could be a real misery or real blessing. You have the choice to become what you want to be.
To incorporate the first agreement in the office: Encourage employees to communicate clearly and transparently with colleagues, supervisors, and clients. Talk less and do more. Watch your thoughts. Evaluate before speaking. Discourage gossip and information that can erode trust and create a negative work environment.
THE SECOND AGREEMENT
“Do Not Take Anything Personally”
Miguel says, “Whatever happens around you, don’t take it personally… Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.”
When someone insults you and you take it personally, that means that you agree with it. If you agree with it, then you’ll start believing it. If you believe it, then you’ll start acting in the world based upon it. Thus, the other person’s garbage has become yours. Yes, you have been possessed by the word of another person.
On the contrary, if you take nothing personally, then you are immune and free to create your own beliefs because you know who you are. Therefore, whenever we encounter this type of situation it’s essential that we understand that this reaction has nothing to do with us, it’s only a reflection of the other person’s reality. Once we are immune to the opinions of others we will be incredibly confident.
In the workplace, the second agreement can be applied by: Learning from your differences with others. Respect what others think or believe, be tolerant.
Don’t take things personally, but communicate your feelings with others. Realize that other people have their own troubles and their behaviors or words aren’t always a reflection of their character. Avoid living from the ego: Learn about compassion, humility, conscious listening, open-mindedness to live better experiences. This will help you to have more peace in all aspects.
THE THIRD AGREEMENT
“Don’t Make Assumptions”
Miguel says, “Whenever we make assumptions, we’re asking for problems.
We make an assumption, we misunderstand, we take it personally, and we end up creating a whole big drama for nothing.”
The process of guessing is unconscious and part of the brain’s cognitive biases, and one of the worst and dangerous human mindsets. The reality is that human beings are used to assuming all kinds of things and they draw conclusions.
That’s why it’s important to ask questions. The clearer you communicate and understand something, the closer you’ll be to the truth and the more appropriate will be your behavior.
When you assume something, you start from an incorrect base because beforehand you believe and assume that you have the absolute truth about something. So, next time you suspect something, before jumping to conclusions, ask what’s going on. Chances are the answer will surprise you.
In the workplace, the third agreement can be applied by: Asking more questions, being more patient, spending time in reflection and connecting better with people. Before making a decision, ask as many questions as you can, and not only with one person but also another one who can help you to get a clearer situation and, thus, a better decision. Avoid assuming by applying active listening and clear communication. Focus on the facts and don’t make decisions abruptly.
THE FOURTH AGREEMENT
“Always Do Your Best”
Miguel says, “Just do your best – in any circumstance in your life. It doesn’t matter if you are sick or tired, if you always do your best there is no way you can judge yourself. And if you don’t judge yourself there is no way you are going to suffer from guilt, blame, and self-punishment.”
The message is simple: We should always give our best in order to achieve the goals we set out to achieve. However, if we do not give our best we will waste our energy, and frustration will begin to appear when we see that our goals are farther away than we would like. Do you see the difference?
So, in the workplace, the fourth agreement can be applied by: striving to give and become a little more each day. Don’t just judge yourself for the results you get, but by the effort you give.
All that is required on your side is that you do, always and at all times and places, your best effort. It is giving a little more than usual. Watch your progress, for instance, where are you now and where were you in the last five years? It’s getting out of the comfort of downplaying things and doing them fast to get rid of them. It is making a conscious choice to be a better person every second of your life.
To further incorporate this agreement: Check your progress; If you fail, do not judge yourself. Start again. Stay focused on the present moment and recognize that every moment is a new beginning; practice giving a little more each day; make an effort in those aspects that you need to improve.
Get inspired by people who have already done it; talk to people who are exemplary from your perspective. Learn from biographies, uplifting movies, and experiences where you learn. In the face of failure, revalue it with the learning it has left you. Remember, “sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” (John C. Maxwell)
Leaders play a crucial role in modeling these principles and integrating them into the company’s core values. By committing to these agreements, businesses can navigate challenges more effectively, build a positive and productive culture, and achieve sustainable growth and success.
Embracing the “Four Agreements” is not just about improving individual behavior but about transforming the entire organizational culture. It leads to a more cohesive, motivated, and high-performing team, ultimately contributing to the long-term success and prosperity of the business.
Blessings.
Carlos Barboza is the owner of Eco Green Auto Parts, Orlando, FL. Their website is https://ecogautoparts.com and they can be found on Facebook @ecogreenautoparts.
