NEVER! Why must we question when something is right? If you are questioning it, it is probably wrong. People have made many blunders throughout history and sometimes you don’t know until it is too late. Hindsight is always 20/20. The same could be said in business.
I can tell you I am not rich by any means; however, I know a number of people in sales with much larger checkbooks because they took shortcuts or cheated clients on many occasions. I have to sleep every night therefore I choose to make the right decisions. It’s hard enough to sleep at night just being in sales!
Sadly, the unsung hero rarely gets his/her due. Take Peter Norman: during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City Mr. Norman broke the Australian record for fastest 200M race (which still stands today). Unfortunately for Norman, he came in 2nd and 2 Americans named John Carlos and Tommie Smith won the gold and bronze.
There is an iconic picture taken a few hours after the race the world knows but has often been misconstrued as a nod to Black Power. What better stage than the Olympics for Carlos and Smith to recognize the Human Rights Movement around the globe? The 2 men were never allowed to compete at the highest level again, but what they stood for was greater than that. It was a stance against the unjust wrongs of society at the time.
Carlos forgot his black gloves at Olympic Park and before they went on their way to the podium, Norman suggested they use his gloves on opposite hands to which they did. In a continued effort to respect the cause, Norman found an American who had the Olympic Project for Human Rights pin on him and asked to wear it. This was another profound statement as Apartheid in Australia was still widely felt and Norman did what he thought was right regardless of potential repercussions.
Unfortunately for Norman, Australia was not forgiving one bit. Eventually when his life ended much later at the age of 64, his home country of Australia never appreciated what the man really stood for. At the cost of aiding all human-kind who were unfairly treated throughout history to be treated as equals, Norman died with no money or recognition.
Why am I telling this story, you may be wondering? There are a lot of great salespeople out there who put the client in front of their financial aspirations. Sure, we want to be millionaires, but that shouldn’t come at the risk of doing the wrong thing.
So the next time you get a call from a salesperson, do me a favor and listen to what they have to say and realize there are win-win scenarios, but it might not always be at the advantage of the company we work for.
I promise I am here to help you get to your goals with what I have in hand…and it might not always be what I am selling.
Today San Jose State University dons a likeness of the day with a statue of Carlos and Smith without Norman. Not to eliminate that part of the legacy, rather so you and me and anyone can stand up and represent Norman as Human Rights is everyone’s business and there is never and wrong time to do the right thing.
The Organic Recruiter
For more on Carlos, Smith and Norman
