When we consider the standard features of successful individuals, we often think about qualities such as perseverance and productivity. But one habit that stands out from Grant Cardone’s “The 10X Rule” is a very subtle yet profoundly effective one: Habit #27: “Be Very Ethical.” What’s intriguing here is not only the cold-blooded focus on ethical practice, but how Cardone makes this tie into real business success in an environment where unethical business practices are all the rage.
The Author’s Perspective on Ethicality
Cardone pitches a ricochet at the illusion that ethics is about not getting jail time. He concludes with absolute certainty that no matter how exalted an individual’s achievement, any involvement in moral vice is a precondition for success.
And contrary to what you might think, being moral is not a matter of not lying or stealing. It’s about staying true to one’s commitments to one’s family, friends and coworkers – acting entirely in these roles is where morality shines.
“Finally, like an old horse on a rugged track, persistently good morals will guide you to the kind of victory that can outlast short-lived victories and give you a reputation that cannot easily be buried.”
One of his intriguing observations is that being unrelenting in your commitments is like telling a lie. Cardone does not shy away from this: attempting to do without actually accomplishing anything, he says, is simply a lie to oneself.
Ethical individuals, in Cardone’s compelling account, pursue the goal aggressively, carving out enough success to make them – and their neighbours – stable.
Putting Ethics to Work Everyday
How does it work for me to be extremely ethical in my own life, then? Now let’s do something a little more intimate.
Let’s say you are in the middle of a tight deadline at work, your children’s sports schedule, and your failed attempt to learn how to bake sourdough (trust me, it didn’t fly). You’ve promised your supervisor an exhaustive account, and when stress becomes a concern, there’s temptation to cut corners.
But armed (or, perhaps, tormented) by the moral force of “The 10X Rule”, you fight back. Sending work that lives up to your commitment doesn’t just mean pressing ‘send’ before midnight; it means making sure every spreadsheet cell and every paragraph lives up to your promise, your promise.
And when you do, there’s a sense of deep satisfaction, one that compensates, paradoxically, for the sourdough catastrophe. It is a philosophy that not only enriches your work but also enters your personal life: sticking to promises of time with loved ones and just being present.
The cascade of highly moral behaviour? It grants credibility and forms a solid bank of trust that’s worth having in any venture. And yes, it makes for some great dinner-party tussles, particularly when you compare moral devotion to learning how to make scrappy bread.
Finally, like an old horse on a rugged track, persistently good morals will guide you to the kind of victory that can outlast short-lived victories and give you a reputation that cannot easily be buried.
