In one of the memorable scenes from Godfather II, Hyman Roth, played by Lee Strasberg, shares a profound insight with Michael Corleone, portrayed by Al Pacino, about the nature of their chosen profession: "Someone put a bullet through his eye. No one knows who gave the order. When I heard it, I wasn't angry; I knew Moe, I knew he was head-strong, talking loud, saying stupid things. So when he turned up dead, I let it go. And I said to myself, this is the business we've chosen."
This quote resonates beyond the fictional world of organized crime, highlighting the power of choice in shaping our lives.
Adult humans possess a significant advantage over lower species: the ability to make choices. While it may sometimes feel like we're cornered in a situation, our current circumstances are primarily the outcome of our decisions. As highlighted in my writing in MM #48, "The Boy and the Dam, Crisis Averted," even in the direst circumstances, we retain the power to choose how we respond – our attitude dictates our course of action.
In the realm of our careers/jobs, we are constantly making choices that have consequences. Whether taking on a high-pressure managerial role or becoming an integral member of a team, each decision comes with its responsibilities. As a corporate executive may find themselves on call even during vacations, entrepreneurs like myself understand the weight of providing for our people and partners.
Recently, I found myself in a situation where a business deal went sour because the counterparty backed out and did not communicate. In my anger, I reacted impulsively, sending a message that didn't reflect my true character. However, the response I received, acknowledging that my actions weren't typical, led me to reflect on the importance of taking responsibility for my choices.
I have written about work-life balance and how there is no "work-life balance" but "work-life choices," and choices have consequences. When one takes on a position, especially in management, one assumes specific responsibilities. For example, a friend was an executive at a Fortune 100 company. Sometimes, he got called on a Saturday and had to be halfway around the world the next day to deal with an issue. This is the business that he has chosen.
When a person becomes a parent, they assume all sorts of new responsibilities. As a parent, you are responsible for providing for another person who is helpless for the first several years of their life- it is not just about “you” anymore. As a leader of people in an organization, it is also not just about "you" - you are now responsible for the well-being and success of your team. Your employees will look to you for guidance and for you to set the example.
As I prepare for a long-awaited vacation, I grapple with finding an equilibrium between enjoying quality time with my family and fulfilling my obligations to my business. Some advocate for complete detachment as a means to avoid burnout. I do not necessarily agree with the concept of burnout, I've come to realize that my chosen path demands a level of engagement even during downtime. As a former C-suite executive humorously said, "Vacation is email with a view," echoing the sentiment that our responsibilities are ever-present, even amidst relaxation. This is the business that I’ve chosen.
Life is a series of choices, and our paths reflect those choices. Whether in business or personal endeavors, embracing our responsibilities with integrity and mindfulness allows us to navigate the complexities of our chosen paths with purpose and fulfillment. Like Hyman Roth, we accept that this is the business we've chosen, and in doing so, we find empowerment in our decisions and the resilience to face whatever challenges come our way.
Quote: "There's no such thing as work-life balance, there are work-life choices, and you make them, and they have consequences."- Jack Welch
Book Recommendation: Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant
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