"If I can stop one
heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching,
or cool one pain, or help one fainting robin unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain."
~ Emily Dickinson
I've had the pleasure of helping Jonathan Keyser edit his upcoming book on how he converted from a self-centered, egotistical life of seeking business success, to a life of selfless service.
The book inspired me to search for a quote that best described Jonathan's heart and soul. That's the quote you see up there from Emily Dickinson.
It sure doesn't look like a quote that has anything to do with business.
Which is why it is perfect, because Jonathan and his team of like-minded, service-obsessed commercial real estate consultants do not do business in a normal way.
For example, let's take a look at their operating principles that the team co-authored for itself. And before you allow yourself to be pleasantly stunned by these, what's even more impressive to me is how his team continuously imprints these by reading them aloud at meetings and reporting back to each other about how they are being lived out there in the real world:
1. We SERVE our clients, partners, and each other fully, selflessly and completely and only involve ourselves in projects, activities and conversations that can truly add value to another individual. We are known by one word….SERVICE…and we live the statement: “It is not about me.”
2. We outwork our competition and win as a result. We work relentlessly, tirelessly, and passionately towards our cause and do not allow ourselves to be distracted, discouraged, or deterred from our mission by ANYTHING, no matter how enticing it may appear.
3. We encourage bold action and are not afraid of making a mistake. We never punish mistakes, but rather embrace them because to fear mistakes makes a person timid, and keeps them out of bold, fearless, massive action which is precisely where value is created.
4. We always do our best, and produce more than our clients request or expect every single time. We provide the highest quality service, materials, and deliverables to our clients and partners, and nothing is ever done half-ass. Everything is done to the very best of our potential.
5. We expect to win every single time. Period. We do this because we think and act as we truly are…the best in the business. No one delivers greater service or quality representation than our team. We are the BEST and we honor ourselves by being and doing our best.
6. We are one team, and each person plays an integral role. Together we are more successful than we would be on our own, and we honor the importance of everyone’s contribution. We each serve a critical team function, and no team member is superior to another.
7. We give first, fully and exuberantly, knowing that if we focus on giving and truly seeking opportunities to help others in real, tangible ways, then we experience true joy and fulfillment in our own lives, and as a side benefit, experience resounding success as well.
8. We always follow through with the commitments we make…always. People can rely on us because we do what we say we will do, and when we see that we cannot, we quickly clean it up. We are our word, and as a result, what we speak into existence actually occurs for us.
9. We have fun with what we do, and with the members of the team. This is a mission we are thrilled to be a part of, and we won’t take on a client unless it will be fun for everyone. Nothing is worth sacrificing our happiness over, and so we are lighthearted and playful in all we do.
10. We invest in our own self-improvement, always striving for greater awareness of ourselves and our creator, for we know that as we align with our true identity and remain focused on our purpose that the power within us will manifest and create our highest potential.
11. We are a family, and always protect and serve each other. In love, we hold each other accountable through authentic, honest, and kind discussion. We are a tight knit brotherhood, and we love and care for each member of the team at all times because they are family.
12. We are 100% coachable. We do not resist feedback, we are never defensive, and we look deep within ourselves to find where feedback could be even partially true. We find great value in the perspective of others and are fully committed to the consensus of the team.
13. We are 100% present in all that we do. We commit all of our mental energy to what we’re creating and do not allow ourselves to be distracted by Anything (technology, other people, or our own thoughts). We are fully present, and thus maximize every action and interaction.
14. We are disruptive, we embrace change, and we are forward thinking in all that we do. We continuously explore and integrate new tools and innovations, to maximize personal responsiveness & efficiency, and provide best-in-class service to each and every client.
15. We are strong, healthy and fit. We value and respect our bodies with regular exercise and proper nutrition, knowing it increases productivity, confidence and well being. We care for ourselves, and as a result, discipline flows into every aspect of our lives.
Jonathan Keyser has not created some kind of blue sky ideal future scene for his team and him to live toward. I know the man (he and I share the same transformational unstoppable coach). Keyser's principles are a description of how he lives NOW. He's performed this way for quite some time, in fact, and is now devoted to teaching his team, and even beyond his team..... (when his book comes out) the entire world the profitable results of living for service.
I received a quote from Brian Johnson this week that made me think of Jonathan and the company they call Keyser:
“A path is only a path, and there is no
affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart
tells you . . . Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many
times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself alone, one question . . . Does
this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't it is of no
use.”
~ Carlos Castaneda
The Business Jounal had a great little article on Keyser that you will want to read, here.