I Only Hire Generous People

“You keep saying that. I don’t think that word means what you think it means.”

That was my favorite line from the movie, The Princess Bride, and it fits my experience with teaching and learning about generosity in business.

My friend, Dr. Erich Longie, is the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation. For years, he has talked to me about the four core Dakota values of courage, honesty perseverance and generosity.

To be honest, at first, I wasn’t sure what Erich was talking about. Over the years, I’ve slowly learned that generosity is just as important a value as the others. In the long run, I only work with generous people.

From day one, I totally understood how running a business takes courage — you have to step out from the safe job you have, quit being like everybody else drawing a paycheck and take the chance on failing. I see how courage is required.

Perseverance — sure, you have to work a lot of hours, not quit the first time (or the second time) you don’t get a contract, you get blindsided by some expense you didn’t expect, an employee you really counted on leaves.

But — generosity? Sure, it’s good public relations if you donate to events in the local community. Being generous with your employees — in salary, in praise, in good working conditions — is a good way to attract and keep good people. If you come late, don’t do your share of the work, spend your days on your cell phone while your co-workers…