December 02, 2011

Who Are You?



"Nationalist pride, like other variants of pride, can be a substitute for self-respect."




Eric Hoffer
20th century American philosopher/author

And the equivalent in business would be what, pride in one's company?

I am not suggesting that large numbers of those who work for companies with well known/respected brands have no self-respect.

Were that the case the brands would not be successful.

But you do meet a lot of people who, when asked what they do, answer with a title prominently focused on the company brand as opposed to them as individuals.

Individual self-respect first or nothing good will follow for the company.

2 comments :

  1. Interesting point. Can you be successful working for a well respected brand if you yourself do not have self respect?

    Probably at least in the short run but long term? I don't think so.

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  2. I don't either Kevin.

    And it makes me wonder if some companies consciously or otherwise work to subjugate the individuality of their employees.

    For example if you work for Harley, which has such a powerful brand image, can your personality, whatever that is, ever breakthrough the public's perception of what a Harley employee would be like?

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