My thoughts post conversation with Simon Lai
Ken
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I recently sat down with Simon Lai to discuss his 20 year career in child and youth mental health services. The conversation was enlightening. Simon brought up the idea of remaining humble in life and taking the time to think about someone else. As a person dedicated to helping others, he pointed out that being selfless is something to consider in a society that is increasingly marked by selfishness.
My conversation with Simon got me to thinking about how the concept of being selfless could be applied to a small business environment. In a business world often driven by competition, selflessness may seem counterintuitive. However, embracing a selfless mindset—prioritizing the success and well-being of employees, customers, and the community—can drive long-term growth, brand loyalty, and profitability.
Selflessness in Leadership & Company Culture
Empowering Employees Leads to Higher Performance
- Invest in employee growth – Providing mentorship, skill development, and a supportive work environment leads to more engaged, productive workers.
- Give employees autonomy – Trusting team members with decision-making increases their sense of ownership and accountability.
- Create a people-first culture – When employees feel valued, they will go above and beyond for customers and the business.
A highly engaged team provides better service, reduces turnover, and strengthens company culture, which ultimately drives revenue growth.
Selfless Customer-Centric Approach
Prioritizing the Customer Over Sales
- Listen more, sell less – Taking time to truly understand customer pain points and guiding them to the best solution (even if it's not your product/service) builds deep trust.
- Provide unexpected value – Offering free resources, advice, or follow-ups without expectation increases customer loyalty.
- Actively solve customer problems – Focus on long-term relationships rather than short-term transactions.
Customers appreciate businesses that prioritize their needs over profits, leading to strong word-of-mouth marketing, repeat business, and higher customer lifetime value.
Giving Back to the Community
A Business That Helps Others, Thrives
- Support local causes – Partnering with local charities or community initiatives increases brand goodwill.
- Offer pro bono services – Helping small nonprofits or struggling startups creates goodwill, potential referrals, and stronger local ties.
- Organize community events – Providing free workshops, networking events, or mentorship sessions establishes your business as a valuable asset to the community.
People prefer to support businesses that give back. Community engagement strengthens brand recognition, customer trust, and local support, leading to organic growth.
Ethical & Transparent Business Practices
Doing What’s Right, Even When No One’s Watching
- Prioritize long-term trust over short-term profit – Being honest with customers, even when it costs you a sale, earns long-term loyalty.
- Fair pricing and policies – Avoiding hidden fees and deceptive tactics increases customer confidence.
- Admit mistakes and make things right – Owning up to failures and correcting them builds brand authenticity.
Ethical businesses attract more loyal customers, reduce churn, and earn positive reputations, leading to steady growth and credibility in the market.
Selflessness in business is not about giving everything away—it’s about investing in people, relationships, and value-driven actions that ultimately create long-term growth, customer loyalty, and a strong brand reputation.
Employees stay longer and perform better when they feel valued. Customers become lifelong advocates when they trust your business. The community supports businesses that contribute to society.
Selflessness is not a cost—it’s a strategic advantage. When done right, it can lead to greater profitability, stronger relationships, and sustainable business success.