A conviction in the benefits of an ethical approach to business has driven Yonason Goldson to sharing his beliefs more widely.
What’s your story?
I work with leaders to create a culture of ethics that builds trust, sparks initiative, and drives productivity.
After four decades studying and articulating the wisdom of the ages, I now apply 3000 years of rabbinic teachings to address the challenges of the modern secular world. Through live and virtual keynotes, training, and executive coaching, I train professionals to recognize how good ethics is good business and appreciate the benefits of intellectual diversity.
What excites you most about your industry?
The world of executive leadership is a world of stories — dazzling successes and scandalous failures, professional heroism and professional catastrophe. These are the stories we need to learn.
Our society is structured to convince us that we have to choose between being good and being successful, when just the opposite is true. Sacrificing long-term values for short-term payoffs is a formula for disaster, not success. Working with leaders so they recognize the true ROI of building an ethical culture serves bosses, employees, and clients by illuminating the path to passionate partnership and collaborative achievement.
What drives you in business to push beyond what other people consider normal?
In everything, you get out what you put in. The greater the investment of time, energy, passion, and imagination, the greater the rewards.
When you have a sense of mission and purpose, you don’t think about pushing yourself; the push comes from within. Fulfillment of purpose is the definition of success and the source of true happiness.
What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?
The willingness to listen and strive to understand both sides of any question or problem before attempting to find a solution.
The world is filled with wisdom and experience. Listening to people I thought had nothing to teach me has changed the course of my life and defined my work.
Understanding others and awareness of the impact our actions have on them are the keys to building relationships that form the bedrock of any successful enterprise.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Say yes to opportunities first, then consider. I missed out on many opportunities because I didn’t recognize them when they arrived. I’ve had to work much too hard later because I didn’t seize the moment when it was at hand. When I started saying yes first and then considering how to rise to the occasion, new opportunities began to materialize everywhere.
Who inspires you?
Jonathan Haidt. His intellectual integrity is second to none, and he has a gentle way of communicating seismic ideas. He has helped me refine my own concepts and style of presentation.
Simon Sinek. His message is so clear, so authentic, and so relevant, he inspires me to add my own voice to the conversation of changing our culture for the better.
What have you learnt recently that blew you away?
A global company I talk about in my keynote repeated an inexcusable blunder only a few years after a devastating scandal. Their inability to learn from their mistakes demonstrates how desperate is the need for education on ethical leadership and ethical mindset.
Only by cultivating proper perspective and objective evaluation will we avoid repeating the same mistakes again and again.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Challenge myself, take more chances, seize opportunities more eagerly. We are in this world to achieve, and nothing is more bitter than the regret over opportunities missed.
Be more disciplined in developing skills early on so I wouldn’t have to play catch up later.
Ask more clearly and directly for what I need.
How do you unwind?
Exercise, meditate, read, go hiking in the mountains and national parks. Creative work like writing always makes me feel alive and fulfilled.
What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your business?
It’s not enough to be good. We have to communicate the value of what we do in order to benefit others through our work. The challenge is to project sincerity, competence, and a commitment to serve in a way that those we can help will recognize the value we offer them and ask us to advance their cause.
Everyone in business should read this book:
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Abraham Lincoln’s presidency provides the most relevant, universal lessons for extraordinary leadership through challenging times.
Shameless plug for your business:
Ethics builds trust. Trust commands loyalty. Loyalty generates passion. Passion drives productivity.
Companies ranked highest for ethics grow fastest, have the most engaged, committed, happy, and self-motivated employees. I teach the ethical mindset that produces a vibrant work culture and drives success according to every metric.
How can people connect with you?
https://www.yonasongoldson.com/
Social Media Links?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonason-goldson/
https://www.facebook.com/yonasongoldson
https://twitter.com/yonasongoldson
https://www.instagram.com/yonasongoldson/