Why is Wealth Important? LO8687

orgpsych@csra.net
Sat, 27 Jul 1996 16:38:40 -0500

I cannot help, as I read this thread, but notice that self love is not
mentioned anywhere. I think a big part of most problems is the fact that
people do not permit themselves to love their "self." We are taught to
despise our "self" in favor of some other, external, standard of
measurement. This has typically become money and the amount of wealth is
equated with our level of self worth to our "self" and to society. Since
organizations are, to some extent, extensions of the people who comprise
them, our organizations tend to devalue their own existence unless they
are making lots of money. Hence, an organization that isn't tied to the
"bottom line" is without value.

In his book "What they STILL don't teahc you at the Harvard Business
School," Mark McCormack makes a couple of interesting points.

1. Never underestimate the importance of money. It is what allows
people and organizations to remain economically viable.

2. Never overestimate the importance of money. Money without a whole
host of other stuff leaves an empty and unfulfilled person. This
"stuff" includes family, recreation, community, spiritual growth,
respect and value for OTHER people, etc.

This leads to the question, "How much money is enough money?" There
is a BIG difference between having enough money to meet your needs and
the unbridled quest for money. Enough money is an important part of
personal wealth. Obscene amounts of money tend to leave pointedly
"unwealthy" people in its wake.

I can't say how much money is enough. All I can say is that there is
more to personal and organizational life than simply how much money
you make or how much you directly impoact the "bottom line."

--


Clyde Howell
The Howell Group
orgpsych@csra.net
 


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