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These are problems that common approaches can’t solve. The quick, easy, free, and
nfun approach won’t work on the farm because there we’re subject to natural laws or
ngoverning principles. Natural laws, based upon principles, operate regardless of our
nawareness of them or our obedience to them.
nThe only thing that endures over time is the law of the farm: I must prepare the
nground, put in the seed, cultivate it, weed it, water it, then gradually nurture growth
nand development to full maturity. So also in a marriage or in helping a teenager
nthrough a difficult identity crisis—there is no quick fix, where you can just move in and
nmake everything right with a positive mental attitude and a bunch of success
nformulas. The law of the harvest governs. Natural laws, principles, operate
nregardless. So get these principles at the center of your life, at the center of your
nrelationships, at the center of your management contracts, at the center of your
nentire organization.
nIf I try to use manipulative strategies and tactics to get other people to do what I
nwant—while my character is flawed or my competency is questionable—then I can’t be
nsuccessful over time. Rhetoric and good intentions aside, if there is little or no trust,
nthere is no foundation for permanent success. But if we learn to manage things and
nlead people, we will have the best bottom line because we will unleash the energy
nand talent of people.