Reflection before I turn 30: Water and Oil Don't Mix (Week 5)

Have you mixed water and oil together? For those that haven't, I will fill you in on a secret. They don't mix. What will happen is the oil will just stir like a glob inside water.

The reason why I bring up mixing water and oil is the metaphorical concept behind business.

Before I go into the details of the metaphor, I want to touch basis on why I didn't learn this concept sooner. First, I want to say that my favorite entrepreneur is Walt Disney. Walt became my favorite entrepreneur when I started studying different entrepreneur's biographies at age 19. It touched my heart, because Walt always placed the family first. The fact that he was able to attain a successful marriage, and achieve his dreams is an impressive feat.

Upon reading Walt's biography, one of the lessons that made his life successful was that he believed his employees were his friends. Working at the Disney Studio during Walt's time people were on a first name basis. In fact, Walt would reprimand a person if they ever called him Mr. Disney.

Walt had many great qualities that I started to emulate how I deal with my professional relationships. There seemed to be a trending way that entrepreneurs did business. They entrusted people that were either family or friend recruiting them as a business partner. Some examples, include, but not limited to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak; Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Suavarin; and Walt Disney and Roy Disney. Two of these relationships were successful, but two also were strained relationships. Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Suavarin were no longer best friends when Eduardo's name was removed from the Facebook masthead. Walt and Roy Disney had constant fights over finances that it was a miracle that they stayed as business partners while not disowning each other as brothers.

I could find other examples regarding the successes and failures of friendships in business. For some it works, and for others it doesn't work. I have learned a valuable lesson that if there is inconsistency in the answer then it is best that one should stay away from it. In this case, it means that it is best that friendships don't belong in business relationships.

I used to believe that a person can be both a business partner and friend. But, my experience has changed that viewpoint. First, it provides confusion of relationships. This causes bitterness in parties especially when there are disagreements and tough calls that need to be made. Second, favoritism can take place especially among employees which can cause disharmony in the workplace. Third, treating your friends like customers makes other people feel like they are being sold. This feeling of being sold can make people feel like they are a dollar sign rather than a person whom you value.

It is important to note it prevents fraternization among people we consider friends.

I could talk more about this lesson, but it is important note that I need not to mix water and oil; and not friends as both business partners and people I value.

This is an important reflection before 30.

Journal note: I will be talking about the importance of keeping a journal, and how my journal has been a benefit.