Reflections on skills vs character, and on being a mensch:
For those who may not know, “mensch” is a Yiddish word that translates as “a person of integrity and honour“. It has colloquially come to mean someone who has good values, who strives to be a decent human being, and who cares about others.
This is an old photo of me and my Zaida, my grandfather. He wasn’t perfect, but most anyone who met him would agree that he was a mensch. In business, as in life, he treated everyone with kindness and respect, no matter their background or station. The company his father founded, which he and his brother led for decades, just celebrated 100 years in business, still run by a 3rd and now 4th generation of family. That’s not an accident.
In my career, as in my life, I’ve been fortunate to know some great mensches. They’ve been role models to me. And while I know I don’t always live up to their examples, they’ve made me want to try.
When I think about the people in my career who I’d gladly work with again, the first ones who come to mind are not necessarily those with the greatest skills. They’re the people who were good, kind, and decent. The ones who went the extra mile for their employees, customers, or suppliers. The ones who, if they saw someone who needed something, would be the first to offer to help. The ones who, if they reach out to me, can always expect I’ll happily take their call.
Skills are important, sure. But skills can be taught. Character, in my view, matters even more.
Mensches may seem in short supply these days. As we lament an era of celebrating business leaders for their ruthlessness, of an epidemic of ghosting, of transactional relationships, and of treating people with a lack of courtesy or trust, it sometimes feels like these values are outdated, archaic, and a thing of the past. But that’s the thing: They don’t need to be.
So here’s my Friday thought: Let’s think about small ways in which we can all strive to be mensches in life. Who can we help? What can we offer our families, colleagues, and communities? How can we take that extra step to be kind and decent?
Perhaps it’s taking the time to craft a personalized reply to someone when delivering bad news, rather than leaving them hanging or responding with a form message. Maybe it’s giving an employee some added flexibility in their work schedule to help them take care of a sick child. Maybe it’s offering someone a job, or some mentoring. Maybe it’s recognizing when a friend is feeling blue and reaching out to offer them a listening ear, or a hug. Sometimes it really is that simple.
Be a mensch.
Work with mensches.
Hire mensches.
Happy Friday.