Reply: 1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1
From: Sim' Hampel
On 8/2/01 12:23:00 AM, Yuchun Chen wrote:
>What does this have to do with
>property investment?
>
>You don't make a business
>decision based on people's
>private life, do you?
Actually I do.
Understanding a persons private life (if you can) and understanding why it is they make the decisions they do, helps you become more intuned to their way of thinking so that you can either work better with them or negotiate against them more effectively.
Now of course, it is not always possible to get to know someone like that before having business dealings with them, and you need to go into any situation fully aware that you don't really know who this person is, where they are coming from, and what their needs are.
The key point is that in my opinion, there is no separation of the personal and professional self. Who you are in private carries over to who you are in your business dealings and vice versa, although some people do try to wear masks and indeed try to lead entirely different lives at home and at work.
The fundamental choices people make every day in any situation are governed by their belief and value systems. People who try to walk both sides of the street tend to trip over while crossing the road.
So what about a situation like the one raised in this thread ?
Forgiveness is an incredibly wonderful and empowering gift. I try to judge people on how they deal with their problems rather than what problems they have in the first place (whether forced upon them or self inflicted).
Everyone has weaknesses, and everyone has the ability to rise above those weaknesses. Honesty, openness, and confession is the first step down the path to forgiveness and healing.
If someone can not be honest and open about an issue they have had in the past, can you really expect them to be open and honest about your business dealings ? Business dealings, and especially partnerships and joint ventures require a significant degree of trust. How can you trust someone with your business or with your money if they are fundamentally dishonest ?
I do not know Michael, or have any knowledge of his past (other than that article and what I know of him through the forum), and I do not currently have any business dealings with him. I have not formed an opinion as to whether I would have business dealings with him or not - because I do not know him.
My comments here have been more of a general nature than specifically relating to Michael and his situation.
Enough philosophising for today ;-)