Win or play by the rules? I By G.P. Anderson recently posted in Ethical F&I Managers facebook group an interesting and thought-provoking question- “Which is more important: To win or to play by the rules?” Pretty straightforward question that should be easy to answer. Naturally, you could expect many responses from readers, and though a few were waxing philosophical about the definition of rules, most universally agreed you can’t have one without the other if you’re committed to doing things the right way. In fact, the consensus was the satisfaction one will experience playing by the rules. So, back to the question. Winning and playing by the rules at the very least is arduous to the point of exhaustion. I mean, we all know there are shortcuts in anything and quite often the temptation to take the easy way can have its rewards. You can generate both but at what expense? Just ask any professional or Olympic athlete who has an asterisk (*) by their name or have been banned from the sport if it matters. While they may brush aside the question if asked, you can bet they privately ache concerning the question. The amount of time spent to reach super stardom levels through competitive physical activity and maintenance is taxing to say the least and some just can’t resist cheating. Consider the hard work of improving one’s abilities and skills at the highest level by doing things the right way. These cheaters were obviously too impatient or wanted to win so badly, that they threw the rule book away preferring a faster route. But the rules caught them. Lance Armstrong is the most famous rider in cycling history, but for all the wrong reasons. True, he won the sport's most prestigious event-the Tour De France-seven consecutive times from 1999-2005 and that should be what he’s known for. However, his reputation was ruined when he admitted to a doping scandal that led to him being stripped of all his Tour De France titles after his retirement. Think about it. He prepared and trained upwards of 1,000 miles a week even after surviving stage three testicular and brain cancer. He was no slouch and worked hard reaching the top but as with all things, it takes continued dedication to remain there. I’ve often wondered how many titles he would’ve won had he not been doping. We’ll never know but I have a feeling it would’ve been more than one. So, with all his experience and team strategy, why did he succumb to cheating? My first thought is the high of being number one in the world was something he couldn’t get enough of and one far more addictive than anything else. Most cheaters are clever believing they’re smarter than everyone else. Armstrong was no exception, and he dodged the bullet well into retirement that is, until he was outed by a former teammate. Up until that time many of us believed hatred and jealousy from other teams was driving the accusations. I mean, here was an American Texan taking it to the French on their home turf. The crowds thronged him all along the bike routes and the excitement around him was effervescent. He had a whirlwind relationship with superstar Sheryl Crow and was sought after by everyone on the celebrity circuit. The fame must’ve been intoxicating. I don’t know what he thinks of himself today after the scandal has faded but you can bet, he isn’t proud of doing things the way he did. Sure, he’s still worth tens of millions but at what personal cost? Well, that’s the real question before us. If winning is so important that you would sacrifice your reputation to achieve stardom in your craft then, you’ve already lost no matter your accomplishments. Human nature is the essence of who we are collectively as human beings. This means the traits, behaviors, and characteristics including ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that we humans are said to have naturally. So how is this relevant to me? Pertinent skill sets within the Finance and Insurance office include written and verbal communication, customer service, interpersonal skills, document management, self-management and organizational skills. These are the building blocks of a pro but there's one more. It’s called ‘character’. That honest attribute you practice when no one is watching. Skeptical people question winning or playing by the rules each day as though they must make a choice. On the finance manager's island where no one is watching, you're defined by the quandary to do both, win and play by the rules. True professionals in any field of endeavor experiences the knowledge or skill gained as a result of that occupation. But it’s character that truly defines them. Win or play by the rules? So, how do YOU answer this question? Your customers, employer, and family are counting on you to get it right. 11 GP Anderson is the Finance Manager at Thielen Motors in Park Rapids, Minnesota
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