There's a timeless piece of wisdom that never fades: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Found in James 6:31, this saying from the Bible resonates whether you're deeply religious or just casually familiar with scripture. It's a straightforward reminder to treat others as we'd like to be treated ourselves.
A Meaningful Catch-Up
This afternoon, I had a great chance to catch up with a professional colleague I've known for more than a decade. Our meetings are always a blend of personal updates and professional insights. We talked about our families, shared the latest industry news, and he brought me up to speed on recent changes in regulations and product updates.
During our discussion, we spoke about how some competitors are adjusting their offerings, aiming to cut costs and still drive additional revenue. This led us to a thoughtful debate: Are these changes genuinely beneficial for the clients and customers, or are they primarily about boosting or maintaining profits? It's a fine line, and it made us think about the integrity behind these decisions.
Sticking to Our Principles
Our team follows a simple but powerful rule: we only endorse products and services we would confidently choose for ourselves and our families. My colleague mentioned that he personally invests in the products he recommends and conversely doesn’t recommend products he doesn’t. It struck a chord with me because that's precisely how our team operates. We're committed to recommendations that we would trust for our own loved ones.
Today’s conversation was a great reminder of why I value these meetings. It's not just about business; it's about aligning our professional actions with our personal values. We both prioritize ethical practices and believe in making a positive impact on our clients' lives.
Wrapping up, today reinforced the importance of living by the Golden Rule, not just in our personal lives but also in our professional dealings. It’s about making choices that are defensible and dignified, bridging our personal integrity with our professional duties. I’m already looking forward to my next meeting with this colleague, ready to keep pushing our work towards standards we're proud to stand by.
Mark J Modzeleski, CFS, CLTC, AIF
President, Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY