By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
Introduction: Virtue in the Wild World of Small Business
Welcome to the exhilarating rollercoaster of small business life, where the daily grind is as unpredictable as it is colorful. Picture this: you’re grappling with weighty decisions such as whether to invest in the latest tech gizmo that promises to “revolutionize” your workflow or debating the merits of a Friday afternoon pizza party as a morale booster. It’s a world where serious financial strategies and quirky office traditions collide in a heady mix of stress, creativity, and, yes, the occasional donut-fueled brainstorming session.
In this whirlwind of chaos, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics might seem like an ancient relic, a dusty manuscript filled with lofty ideals that bear little resemblance to the high-stakes decisions of your everyday business life. After all, who needs Aristotelian virtue when you’re more concerned with whether to splurge on that new espresso machine or how to diplomatically handle the office rivalry over the last piece of cake?
Yet, as we embark on this satirical journey, you’ll find that Aristotle’s virtues are not just the preserve of ivory towers and dusty lecture halls. Instead, they offer a surprisingly entertaining and insightful lens through which to view the absurdities of small business life. From modesty in our self-promotion to courage in our decision-making, and from justice in how we handle office politics to temperance in our snack consumption, Aristotle’s ethical framework provides a comedic yet poignant reflection on the quirks of our professional universe.
So, buckle up and prepare for a humorous yet enlightening exploration of how ancient virtues can illuminate the eccentricities and challenges of modern small business life. Through Aristotle’s lens, we’ll discover that wisdom and humor often go hand in hand, offering a fresh perspective on the daily dramas that make our workdays both memorable and, at times, utterly bewildering.
The Virtue of Modesty: The Art of the Perfect Resume
In small businesses, where roles can blur and job titles often sound like they were invented on a caffeine high, the virtue of modesty—or sophrosyne—is often hilariously misunderstood.
Let’s start with Bob, our enthusiastic office assistant. His resume brags about his “innovative overhaul of the office coffee system” and his “strategic restructuring of the filing system.” What he omits is his real talent for transforming the coffee machine into a complex Rube Goldberg device that even MacGyver would struggle with. Bob’s modesty would serve him well if he admitted his true skills: a knack for not spilling coffee on important documents and occasionally fixing the office printer.
On the flip side, Jane, the CEO, embodies a different flavor of modesty—or lack thereof. She proudly recounts her role in the company’s success as if she single-handedly won the business equivalent of a Nobel Prize. While it’s true she made some crucial decisions, a more virtuous approach might be to acknowledge the collective effort of her team. Instead of a grandiose narrative about her strategic genius, a bit of humble recognition for her employees’ contributions would reflect Aristotle’s idea of modesty in action.
The Virtue of Courage: The Brave Decision-Maker
Aristotle’s virtue of courage, which finds a balance between recklessness and cowardice, can be vividly illustrated in small business decisions.
Take Fred, the owner who dithers over investing in new technology. His hesitation is often mistaken for prudence, but in reality, it’s a classic case of cowardice. Fred’s reluctance to upgrade his outdated equipment means he’s operating with a 2005-era fax machine in a world that’s gone paperless. Meanwhile, his competitors are zipping along with cutting-edge technology. True courage would involve making a well-considered investment rather than hiding behind a facade of “careful planning.”
Then there’s Liz, whose version of courage involves throwing money at every trendy marketing campaign that crosses her path. Her boldness results in a series of extravagant failures, like hiring a social media influencer whose main talent is posing with their dog. True courage would be in making measured decisions based on solid market research, rather than chasing after every shiny new fad with reckless abandon.
The Virtue of Justice: Fairness in a Tiny Universe
Justice, or dikaiosyne, in a small business is often a comedic spectacle where fairness and equity seem to exist only in theory.
Sam, the self-proclaimed “fair” boss, boasts about his commitment to equality but fails to schedule annual reviews or provide raises. His idea of fairness involves using a lottery system for distributing office supplies. Employees receive outdated pens and half-empty staplers, while Sam’s desk is perpetually stocked with premium gel pens and an endless supply of paperclips. True justice, as Aristotle would suggest, involves acknowledging and rewarding the contributions of every team member equitably, not through random distribution of office trinkets.
Conversely, Hannah, a manager with a flair for self-promotion, believes her long hours and heroic dedication to the business entitle her to exclusive perks. She’s convinced that her hard work should automatically translate to accolades and privileges, often at the expense of her colleagues. True justice involves recognizing that while individual contributions are valuable, the success of the business depends on everyone working together, not just a few high-profile heroes.
The Virtue of Temperance: The Moderation of Office Snacks
Temperance, the virtue of moderation, is often tested in the realm of office snacks, where excess and deprivation create a comical imbalance.
Take Dave, the employee who insists on bringing in donuts every Monday morning. His dedication to sugary treats is admirable, but his inability to practice moderation leads to a workplace sugar rush followed by a collective afternoon slump. Dave’s approach to temperance might involve a bit of self-control or perhaps a more balanced offering, like a fruit basket alongside the donuts.
On the other hand, Sarah, the snack hoarder, operates with a different kind of immoderation. Her desk drawer is a treasure trove of granola bars and pretzels, which she claims are “emergency rations.” In reality, her stash creates a black market of snacks and fosters resentment among colleagues who are left scavenging for crumbs. True temperance would involve sharing and perhaps a more rational approach to stockpiling snacks.
The Virtue of Practical Wisdom: Decision-Making for the Absurd
Practical wisdom, or phronesis, is about making sound decisions based on a deep understanding of the practical aspects of life. In small businesses, this virtue often grapples with the absurdities of daily operations.
Consider Tom, who decided to implement a new, elaborate time-tracking system to improve productivity. The result is a labyrinthine spreadsheet that requires a degree in engineering to navigate. Employees are bewildered, and productivity is hampered by the time spent trying to understand the system. Tom’s practical wisdom could benefit from a simpler, more intuitive approach, like a basic time clock that doesn’t require a PhD to operate.
Then there’s Amy, who believes that extravagant team-building exercises are the key to improving morale. From trust falls to elaborate scavenger hunts, her ideas often result in more awkwardness than camaraderie. Practical wisdom here would involve recognizing that a casual team lunch or a low-key happy hour might be just as effective in fostering a positive work environment without the need for staged events that leave everyone feeling uncomfortable.
The Virtue of Friendship: Office Politics and Its Virtues
Aristotle’s virtue of friendship emphasizes mutual respect and shared values. In small business settings, this virtue often clashes with the more cynical aspects of office politics.
Take the office clique, where friendships are formed based on shared grievances rather than genuine respect. Members of this clique bond over their mutual dislike of a certain coworker, creating a toxic environment where loyalty is rewarded, but true virtues are overlooked. Aristotle would advocate for friendships based on mutual respect and shared goals rather than negative alliances.
Then there’s the office hero who offers “advice” under the guise of friendship but often uses it to subtly undermine others. This behavior is a far cry from the virtue of true friendship, which involves genuine support and constructive feedback rather than self-serving tactics. True friendship in the workplace would mean offering help and encouragement to colleagues rather than using them as stepping stones for personal gain.
Conclusion: A Virtuous Path to Small Business Success
Applying Aristotle’s virtues to the world of small business reveals a landscape rife with both comedy and insight. By navigating the nuances of modesty, courage, justice, temperance, practical wisdom, and friendship, small business owners and employees can find both humor and wisdom in their daily interactions.
The key is to embrace these virtues not as abstract ideals but as practical guides for improving the workplace environment. Through modesty, we can balance self-promotion with genuine acknowledgment of others; through courage, we can make thoughtful decisions rather than relying on reckless enthusiasm; through justice, we can ensure fair treatment and recognition for all; through temperance, we can practice moderation in our indulgences; through practical wisdom, we can make decisions that enhance rather than hinder our productivity; and through friendship, we can foster a supportive and respectful work culture.
In the end, Aristotle’s virtues offer more than philosophical musings—they provide a roadmap for navigating the absurdities of small business life with grace, humor, and a touch of wisdom. So, as you face the trials and tribulations of your business, remember that a virtuous approach can make the journey not only more successful but also infinitely more enjoyable.
Author: John S. Morlu II, CPA is the CEO and Chief Strategist of JS Morlu, leads a globally recognized public accounting and management consultancy firm. Under his visionary leadership, JS Morlu has become a pioneer in developing cutting-edge technologies across B2B, B2C, P2P, and B2G verticals. The firm’s groundbreaking innovations include AI-powered reconciliation software (ReckSoft.com) and advanced cloud accounting solutions (FinovatePro.com), setting new industry standards for efficiency, accuracy, and technological excellence.
