Dear Reader,

I’ve resolved to try to help every person I come across to be better. No scorn for imperfections, no punishment for errors, no bad blood after a quarrel: just encouragement, coaching, advice, understanding, some dedication on my part.

Why should I do that? First of all, there is no need for harsh reactions. They have a worse effect on you than on the other person. We could cite Marcus Aurelius on and on about this subject, let me give you just a piece of advice:

Does what’s happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforwardness, and all the other qualities that allow a person’s nature to fulfill itself?

Marcus Aurelius

I’ve noticed that when I do not act in such a way and let bad behaviour flow out of me, I feel worse afterwards, and I feel like I’ve taken a little step back instead of forward. Moreover, I sense that I’ve missed a chance to make the world (well, at least my immediate surroundings!) a slightly better place. I want to live in a world that conspires for every one of us to be better, and I want to be both victim and conspirator!

The world is already on my side, and I sometimes forget to recognise the many gifts I’ve received from others: stable social structures, growing technology, education and teachers, medical care… I can try to pay back my debt one action at a time, starting with the person in front of me.

In November I’ve got a speeding ticket, and my son asked about fines. I started with the usual “I made a mistake, so I need to pay” logic, only to realise its basic flaw! It should be “I made a mistake, so I need some help”! While there is no doubt about repaying damages, after the penalty the world is substantially the same, if not a little worse. Let’s put aside the speeding ticket, which is just what caused me to think about the matter, and consider a more general situation. Left to my means, I could repeat the same mistake if I lack the proper training, mindset, advice and so on. This idea is, of course, not new, I just had a little eureka moment.

What I’m sure of is that the best and better-performing organisations are those who train and support their members, especially when they make a mistake. Let me wrap up with another quote:


“Recently, I was asked if I was going to fire an employee who made a mistake that cost the company $600,000. No, I replied, I just spent $600,000 training him. Why would I want somebody to hire his experience?”


Thomas John Watson Sr., IBM

Until next time, remember that the poor chap in front of you is fighting your same struggle.