It’s Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. This was a post from several years ago. As I read it over, looking for inspiration for something to write on the subject of change and business based on the holiday, I realized that I had expressed my thinking pretty well in the earlier post. Those of you who celebrate the holiday are probably not reading this until sundown (I scheduled this yesterday in keeping with the spirit of not working on the day). Whether you do or don’t celebrate, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect.
Yesterday was Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. For those of you unfamiliar with the holiday, it concludes the 10 day period at the start of the Jewish calendar – Rosh Hashanah – head of the year – during which all Jews are supposed to reflect upon the past year and examine how they’re going to change their lives going forward. One also seeks forgiveness from those against whom he has transgressed – both those of this earth and higher powers. There is a lot of other imagery connected with the period – inscription in the Book of Life being a big one – but I think there’s something each of us can take as a business lesson in a non-denominational way.
We all get off track. Sometimes it’s in little ways like eating badly or drinking too much. Sometimes it’s in big ways like alienating our families or hurting friends who love us. The concept in Judaism of repentance is called Teshuva which means “return”. I love the notion of coming back to one’s self as well as to the basic human tenets that are common to all religions and peoples.
We can take a period of reflection and “return” in our business lives as well. The most obvious way is for us as individuals. Who have we alienated this year? What client have we taken for granted? But it a bigger opportunity. How has the business diverged from the mission? Why have we stopped getting better and are just marching in place? What can we be doing to grow our people but are ignoring?
We ask those kinds of questions from time to time, but I guess I’m suggesting that it become a more formal process. Set aside a period every year for “return” thinking. A period of repentance? Maybe, in some cases. But in all cases a chance to change. A chance to regret past bad actions and to vow not to repeat them. Most importantly (this is true in the religious sense as well), to correct the transgression. To apologize. To make restitution. Whatever is right and lets everyone move forward with a clear conscious and a vow to do better.
Sound like a plan?
Consult Keith 