The Business Success Traits We Learned in Rome
We’ve just returned from Rome.
(“The Eternal City”. Is that what they call it?)
For the six of us “A Week of Unmitigated Disaster” is a better description!
Which is sad, since our ‘Gang of Six’ look longingly to our Autumn holiday together each year.
So, why are we still laughing?
And what did we learn about Business Success…that’s so powerful?
Well, first of all let’s list the little disasters.
(Then it’s easier to understand the Business Success element.)
Let’s see…
We were pick-pocketed.
We were robbed.
And we had a good laugh.
Our flights delayed.
Our flights cancelled.
And we started chuckling
Our suitcases were lost.
Our meals were probably the worst Italian food any of us had ever tasted!
(Some we sent back to the kitchen).
We met insulting, heartless ‘service’ when trying to buy food.
And we were giggling our heads off.
We were misdirected so often (by people and software) that we walked 10,000 to 15,000 steps each day… whether we liked it or not!
There were hotel shuttle buses that didn’t appear (after an hour of waiting)
And the disgusting toilets-without-seats! With no loo paper!
(Don’t ask!)
Meanwhile…
We roared so hard that our sides and bellies ached!
So, why did we laugh so much, when we should have been utterly miserable?
The answer?
Because Rome reminded us of two traits – two emotional qualities – that have enriched our lives… personally and in business.
Those two qualities?
- Perspective
- Purpose.
You see…
Between us we have 11 amazing children.
Between us we have 23 stunning grandchildren (and counting 😊)
We’ve run businesses.
We’ve led international organisations.
We’ve known dire poverty.
We’ve known homelessness.
And worse.
Given all of that background, you can be sure of this…
We’ve encountered just about every Disappointment… Dismay… Disaster… Despair… Heartache… Heartbreak…
that you can imagine.
And a few you probably can’t.
And all of this gives us… PERSPECTIVE.
Helps us to see what is trivial and temporary.
As opposed to what matters most.
It also tests whether our life has Meaning and PURPOSE.
Meaning and Purpose… in devoting ourselves to something bigger than ourselves.
Bigger than our individual appetites and comforts.
Perspective and Purpose.
When applied to business…
Changes the rules.
They give you an edge, an energy, a driving force and a resilience…
(When others make do with Making Money and Seeking Comfort.)
Rome reminded us of these lessons.
And those lessons are Eternally Powerful.
So, yes. In that sense it became for us an Eternal City.
