Religion and Your Business

• December 31st, 2007
• View Comments (8)

OK. After much debate, I’ve decided to go ahead and post this. I will preface this by saying, I’m not preaching my own beliefs to anyone and in no way expect anyone to agree with me. I happen to disagree that business and religion should mix. The following is my explanation to why.

There are two things one should not readily discuss. Those two things are politics and religion. These two topics almost inevitably lead to conflict and possibly hurt feelings. Why? Because people tend to feel strongly about their beliefs on both issues. It can lead to flagrant, unnecessary conflicts as well. It happens all around the world. So what does this have to do with Mary Kay?

Mary Kay Ash founded her company on the Golden Rule Philosophy. She also implemented a method of prioritizing business and life as God first, family second, and career third. One thing Mary Kay stated in her autobiography is that she was a deeply religious person, however, she did not want to come off as preachy in her business dealings. In other words, there is a time and place for everything and she knew when to turn it off.

I have observed a lot of discomfort as far as reaction to the use of scripture in MK training classes at multiple events — both those run by Corporate and those that are not. Some feel that alluding to Scripture is blasphemous; while others feel it is an infringement on non-Christians. I tend to agree with the latter. I’m not saying people shouldn’t state their beliefs; nor am I saying I don’t believe in God. I was raised Catholic. What I’m saying is that in business dealings it is best to keep religion out of it because it muddies the waters when it comes to operating as a business.

Let’s start with the Golden Rule. What is that? What does it have to do with Mary Kay? The Golden Rule states, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Mary Kay makes this the company’s philosophy. Somehow, it seems that using this Christian value had led to preaching at meetings, sales appointments, and during team building attempts. The Golden Rule is not exclusive to Christianity. Just about every religion (at least the ones I have studied in college) have some version of this statement. It is a rule to live by, not just do business by. Mary Kay is not alone in use of this noble philosophy. I read recently, the J.C. Penney also follows this philosophy.

So there are two sets of issues that come into play. One the one hand, you have the effects of this on the sales force. On the other hand, you have the effects of this on the customers. Although these are two separate sets of issues, the affects they have on individuals can be quite similar and damaging to all involved.

Consultants may feel uncomfortable if their religious beliefs (or non-belief) do not coincide with the material at an event. It is my opinion that one’s beliefs can be implemented into one’s daily workings in both personal and business matters. On a one on one basis, it’s not a problem. Where I see it as a potential problem is in group settings–especially guest events. I don’t think it is good to assume everyone in your audience shares your religious beliefs. It could create alienation and discomfort. That is my main gripe–the assumption that everyone interested in selling MK is Christian. There’s also the fact that different Christians have very different beliefs.

The customers (and sales force to some extent) feel that MK’s Christian affiliation makes them superhuman somehow and that it is less of a business. A Golden Rule Philosophy is one thing; running a Christian business is another. Mary Kay made no secrets about her religious devotion. Following the Golden Rule and running the business in a “Christian manner” doesn’t mean that mistakes don’t happen and it certainly doesn’t mean that everyone can be pleased all of the time. What it means is that in business dealings, people are treated as people and respect is maintained. The company pulls this off rather well in my experience. This doesn’t mean that the company is going to continually lose money if someone is dishonest (either a consultant or a customer). The company is still a business. I regard it as a business with strong morals. In making business decisions, it maintains the Golden Rule and treats all with respect. Business is business, however. In order to stay afloat, and to be as successful as MK is, decisions have to be made that are in the company’s best interest. I do believe that Mary Kay keeps everyone’s best interest in the picture when making decisions and policies. I think they do this very well. They have approximately 700,000 consultants in the U.S. You can’t keep that many people happy all of the time. They have many customers to keep satisfied as well. On top of sales force and customers, they have their own staff to satisfy. To be perfectly honest, I think they do it well and I think they do display a Christian approach. The bottom line is, it’s still a business.

I hope I made my point without being too vague and as inoffensively as possible. This has been my one and only post on religion.

Tags: Beliefs, Business Etiquette, Mary Kay Ash, Personal Responsibility, Principles, Priorities, Religion