Moral Authority

Isn't it interesting that a topic like Moral Authority is relevant in today's business environment, especially in the "home business" arena?  I have thought about this topic for quite some time and reflected on my life experience to illustrate something that I hope will be beneficial.

When my kids were in Junior High, I started asking the same question in a couple of different ways. The first was, "How are you going to distinguish yourself as you get older?"  The second was, "What makes you exceptional?"

I was trying to impress upon them that they need to stand for something.  I wanted to convey that someone trusting you - implicitly -  is the highest compliment and honor you can ever receive.  There is a great deal more that I tried to do in helping (them) form their character, but you get the idea... So, this is a nice tidbit of family nostalgia... but what does it have to do with business and the subject of Moral Authority?

Moral Authority has everything to do with perceptions we create.  We are in the business of managing perceptions and (to a degree) need to control what conclusions people draw about what we say and do.  This is accomplished pretty easily if we simply choose to not over-inflate nor over-simplify.  Moral authority is earned based upon consistent truthfulness and how we posture what we do.

This is why we lead with statements like, "Not everyone can do this... and, not everyone will be successful."  We talk about needing to learn things and how difficult it is to integrate change into your life.  We talk about competence and being worthy of being followed.

As such,  the people we attract to our business need to know that our motives are genuine and we have their best interest at heart.  When we say "we help people" they need to feel it, not just hear the words.  We need to demonstrate through the investment of time - teaching and helping people - that our actions align with our words.

In this context, our mission in attracting people to our community is pretty simple.  And, moral authority must be at the foundation.  If people do not trust us, they will not do business with us.  Therefore, talking about the negatives is as equally as important as the positives.

This is just one more way we distinguish ourselves.