I discovered The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz many years ago and found its principles incredibly beneficial in my personal life. So much so, that I made my kids read it once a year. The book is concise yet powerful, and I soon realized its principles could greatly benefit my employees' work and personal lives. I also shared it with the second-year MBA students I mentored at the Marshall Business School at USC. They reported back on its incredible helpfulness and even suggested it should be incorporated into the MBA curriculum.

Application of The Four Agreements in Business:

1. Be Impeccable with Your Word

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• Clear Communication: Ensure all business communication is clear, honest, and respectful to prevent misunderstandings and build trust.

•  Integrity: Make and keep commitments, building reliability and a good reputation.

• Positive Reinforcement: Encourage, motivate, and support your team, avoiding gossip and negative talk.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally

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• Objectivity: Use feedback or criticism as an opportunity for improvement and growth, rather than a personal attack.

• Professional Boundaries: Understand that others’ actions and words reflect their own experiences, not your value or performance.

• Resilience: Develop resilience to navigate business challenges without letting emotions cloud your judgment.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions

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• Clarify Expectations: Seek to clarify and confirm assumptions about tasks, roles, and responsibilities to reduce errors.

• Ask Questions: Encourage an open environment where team members feel comfortable asking questions and seeking clarification.

• Feedback Loops: Establish regular feedback mechanisms to ensure continuous understanding and alignment.

4. Always Do Your Best

 

• Consistent Effort: Encourage everyone to give their best effort in their roles, recognizing that ‘best’ can vary day-to-day.

• Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement prioritizing learning and development.

• Recognition: Acknowledge and reward efforts and achievements, reinforcing the value of striving for excellence.

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