Hogs get slaughtered; pigs get fat

I was in a meeting the other day in Minnesota and we were negotiating a big contract. One area of the contract was particularly lucrative and the MN firm wanted it for their side. Our company stood to gain enormously in other areas because of their dominating presence in MN so I was inclined to give them what they wanted. Later, however, the conversation turned to expanding our concept nationwide where our company has a dominating presence. I indicated to them that the very lucrative item we gave them on the state level would have to be shared equally on the national front as we offered more in that arena. They readily agreed and we had our deal.

During the conversation I brought up a point that I have made through the years, “Hogs get slaughtered and pigs get fat” and we were partners and partners should be fair to each other; getting too greedy would destroy our relationship I warned. Being too greedy has taken away the fortune of more than one poor soul. It has been my experience that if we give others a fair stake in an endeavor, they will work all the harder and eventually we will make more money, (albeit it we might have a smaller piece of the pie, it ends up being a bigger pie and we still win).

The Bible warns us repeatedly about greed. Ultimately we should be fair to everyone concerned (and yes that does includes us). I admire those among us who can skillfully negotiate a deal and when all is said and done EVERYONE has a big smile on their face. Isn’t it a shame our congress cannot do so. They cannot even be civil to each other much less get anything worthwhile accomplished for our great country.

Jesus was the ultimate example of how we should be to succeed in this area. He is the finest example of demonstrating a serving attitude that we will ever have. He was as humble as one could imagine and it is inconceivable as thinking of Him as being greedy in any manner.

We should think of Him when negotiating and consider other folk’s feelings and needs along with our own, always working towards abject fairness, eliminating greed entirely. In so doing, we can become skillful negotiators and extremely successful.

For best results when negotiating, listen carefully, speak slowly, and try to avoid wrath, just like the Bible teaches.

James 1:19
Let every man be swift to hear,
slow to speak, slow to wrath;
for the wrath of man does not
produce the righteousness of God.