“Quality begins on the inside, and
then works its way out.”
This
very interesting observation was recorded by Bob Moawad, a very successful American author who’s several
inspirational books have received international acclaim. In this simple
statement, he affirmed that for any meaningful quality of a person’s thought or
behavior to be worthy of its name, it must of necessity begin deep within the individual’s
psyche, long before it is expressed on the outside. He insisted that any other
effort, however impressive the outcome may appear, will not deserve to be
considered as genuinely self-generated quality, but merely a reflection of someone
else’s work.
Quality itself
is difficult to define or to quantify, but it is easily recognizable by most people,
as a measure of excellence that will consistently meet or exceed expectation,
and one that is not the result of chance but is readily reproducible by the individual.
It refers to those inherently distinguishing characteristics which everyone readily
recognizes, even if they can neither understand or reproduce in themselves. If
a group of people were asked to define the term, each will probably give a
completely different answer, and yet they will all agree to its presence. Conceptually
they will recognize the inherently distinguishing property or characteristic of
the action taken, even if they may or may not agree with it. This indeed is the
intention of the very popular and quite appropriate observation so commonly
used:
“I don’t know how to describe it,
but I know it when I see it”
In much the same way, the true Quality of Human behavior as it relates to the individual’s responses is
intangible, and cannot
be defined in any precise terms, nor can it ever be subjected to any strict psycho-dynamic
analysis. By its very nature, this type of quality is largely manifested as external
subjective and emotional responses, and therefore not based on intention or reason.
It is based on essentially reactive factors which at best, are quite
elusive and not easily quantified. Their structure is often multi-faceted, and
based on such imprecise, subjective factors as the individual values,
context, experience, personal interpretations, and expectations of the observer.
It is for this reason that the ‘quality’ of a person’s behavior cannot be readily
reproduced, but only recognized by the resulting effect it induces. The great
ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle sought to convey this fact when he observed:
“The quality
of your life is determined by its activities.”
Marcus
Aurelius, one of ancient Rome’s greatest emperors and a respected stoic
philosopher, several thousands of years ago explored this principle further,
looking more closely at the determining factors, and described this in clear
and succinct terms when he said:
“To understand the true quality of people, you must
look into
their minds
and examine their pursuits and their aversions.”
He reasoned that the true quality of a person’s life, and that of the
people with whom he is associated can only be determined by the quality of the thoughts
generated by the individual, and those of his associates. He argued that these two
factors taken together, will play a major role in determining the ultimate quality
of the life the person will live. Aurelius
concluded further, that the degree of true happiness anyone can achieve in his
lifetime will depend far more on the quality of his thoughts than on anything
else in his life. These observations have remained unchallenged and unchanged
over the succeeding centuries, and they continue to be as relevant today as they
have been in the past. So too, his advice about choosing the right behavior to
live by, which even today, remains equally appropriate and relevant:
“The
happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts; therefore,
guard accordingly, and take care you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue
and reasonable nature.”
Good quality behavior
cannot ever be copied; it must be earned. It will only survive on a foundation
of truth, good intention, integrity and honest performance. It demands a high
standard of behavior that is predictably consistent, uniform and dependable. Although
quality may not necessarily always have to be synonymous with excellence, it
must of necessity be genuine. It can
only begin deep within the individual’s ego, will not be generated by other external
influences or needs, and must strictly reflect the individual’s true nature and
beliefs. Without these elements, there can be no certainty that the quality of
behavior generated is a reflection of both the individual’s performance and his
intention; and that they both are operating together to ensure success. This is
probably what an Unknown Author meant to convey when he wisely observed:
“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person; your
behavior does.”
Consistent quality of
behavior is very strongly dependent on integrity, since good behavior
will only survive in a milieu of truth, honesty and self-value, and none of
these will ever survive in the absence of integrity. Henry Ford, founder
of Ford Motor Empire, and considered to be one of America’s greatest
entrepreneurs, brilliantly placed the fundamental relationship of quality and
integrity in the right context when he said:
“Quality
means doing it right even when no one is looking.”
He insisted that any
person who exhibits quality must not only possess integrity, but must demonstrate
sound moral and ethical principles, and must be committed to actions consistent
with accountability, responsibility and truthfulness. He concluded that such quality
can only be justified if it succeeds in defining the individual, his beliefs and
his principles; any other manifestation is probably manufactured and deceitful!
In psychological terms, quality in any
person’s behavior is founded on a commitment to exercise the right choice of
action, and to do so, over and over again. Quite unlike the instinctual
responses which are concerned with survival and self-preservation and not with interpersonal
relationships, quality is neither inherited nor necessarily passed on from
generation to generation. Quality behavior however, is more likely a product of
environmental influences, and like so many other behavioral characteristics, is
more likely a reflection of learning and experience. A child who is exposed to good,
strong, consistent behavioral characteristics is far more likely to continue
the pattern than one whose life was surrounded by wanton negativism and
cheating.
Quality clearly is as varied as behavior
itself, but irrespective of the underlying factors, there are a number of personality
factors that appear to consistently accompany its application. Among these are:
Humility
and Compassion: quality
can only begin when there is genuine
humility and compassion present. Without these factors operating, the basic animal instinct of self-preservation will dominate.
Generosity
and Understanding: without
true understanding and inner generosity,
there can be no empathy and therefore no urge to help or care.
Honesty
and Commitment without
a foundation of honesty and a commitment
to do no harm, quality will neither survive or be
appreciated.
Trust and
Forgiveness: without
trust and confidence in oneself and a willingness
to forgive oneself, quality will remain buried and its
value will not be seen by others.
Respect
and Gratitude: without
the undercurrent of personal respect and
gratitude flowing in everything, there will be no appreciation or personal reward, and no reason to continue.
All of the above and a good deal more of
these basic human traits will continue to lay dormant in the individual psyches
waiting to be engaged correctly to produce quality, if we allow them to do
so. This is perhaps what the very successful and highly respected Hindu Vedic Guru, Maharishi
Mahesh Yogi, founder and spiritual leader of the Transcendental
Meditation movement may well have pointing to as the answer for anyone seeking
a full and quality life when he noted:
“There is nothing difficult, there is nothing
complicated.
One only has to have a desire to have a better quality
of life.”
-The answer therefore,
for anyone who prefers to choose quality in his life, would be better served by
looking inward, rather than spending all his time staring at others, for his
inspiration.
< >
No comments:
Post a Comment