Investment = Value
What are they worth?
I recently invested money in some semi-risky stock and other exchanges. Why? Because I felt there is great value in this, and it has paid off well. I thought it was worth it. What are you investing in?
Clarity is the first law of learning….let’s define some things. The word invest is actually defined as (webster’s) “committing something to gain something”. For instance, money. I commit money to get a return. Webster also states, ‘to make use of for the future’. ‘To endow with a quality’. But, my favorite definition comes from Webster’s 1828 version, ‘To clothe with or adorn.’ Why is this one so important? Because in it, there is no return. We aren’t investing to gain something. We are investing for the sake of growing others. This leads me to my signature statement in regard to Value.
The degree to which you invest in people is the degree to which you value them. No investment….No value. Whoa!
Let me prove it to you.
If I could view your bank statement, I would be able to tell you what you value. I would see what you invest in, spend money on. Some of you value fine foods. You go to nice restaurants. It’s what you value. And, for those that have children, you invest in them every day to ensure they have all they can to be all they can.
If you are not investing in others, simply for the sake of ‘clothing and adorning’ them with something, you DO NOT value them. That’s a powerful statement. Maybe a controversial statement. And I welcome the discussion.
As a leader, or even as being another human, do you invest in others around you, working for you? How do you do that?
- Find out what is important to them, what do they value & what are their personal values, and invest in those things.
- Coordinate your time management so that you have the time they need, and you are ready to invest when the time is right and necessary.
- Do good. Simple. Do good to others and they will feel valued.
Take time this week to find out what others value and invest in them. Take time this week to manage yourself and your time so others feel valued. Investment = Value.
