537: Lessons taken from Yellowstone

My Business On Purpose

There’s a hit show out right now called Yellowstone, and while I can’t fully endorse it due to there being quite a bit of language and adult content, there have been some amazing quotes that have caused me to think. So... for the next several weeks I’m going to dive into some of these quotes and talk through their application to business and life. Good afternoon friends, Thomas Joyner with Business on Purpose here.

Ok, so why Yellowstone? Why pick a show that’s basically a Wild West version of a soap opera? Instead of sarcastic words, using guns... Well, Because all of life is learning. And I feel like in watching it, I’m learning and using this stuff to make sure I’m not off-axis in any area of my life.

That’s why one of our core values here at BoP is Relentless learning. Because in every situation in life we want to listen first, process, and then learn and implement from that. So that’s what we’re going to do today.

So... before the quote, some backstory in case you haven’t watched it.

Kayce, one of the main characters is haunted by his past and is trying to save his marriage. He takes a new job as livestock commissioner in helping the rural farmers and cattle ranchers in any way possible.

He comes home one afternoon and his wife looks at him and says this.

“You really love this new job don’t you?”

Kayce’s response is what struck me.

“I feel like for the first time I’m fighting for people. I like having somebody to fight for rather than something. When you fight for a thing, the thing doesn't care if you win or lose because the thing ain't alive. But when you fight for people, they care.”

How powerful is that? “When you fight for people, they care.”

I wonder what you’re fighting for? When you look out over the next several years of business, what is it you want? And if you get it, can hold onto it, in your hands... do you think looking back that it will make you happy? Will you be satisfied? Or will you just kick the can further down the road knowing you missed the mark?

Here’s the interesting thing we’ve seen over the past several years. Money can’t be that object. History is littered with people who made it financially and they are just as miserable today as they were 10 years ago. We have seen numerous businesses “make it”... doing more business than they ever thought and bringing home life-changing money. But... if the relationships in their business aren’t sound, if all is not well at home, if their marriage is struggling, it may help, but it doesn’t satisfy.

Look at shows like Shark Tank. These billionaires sit in on these presentations just trying to add a few more millions to their portfolio because all they know how to do is add more.

What if we flipped the script and started chasing after what we really want. And that’s healthy relationships and equipping people.

Because you never sit with someone at their death bed and they say…”I wish I’d made more money in my life.” Or, “I wish I’d worked 5 more hours a week.” No! That never happens. People always wish they’d spent more time with the ones they loved most and invested in the people around them.

So, what does that look like practically?

Is it sitting down with your employees and hearing them out? Figuring out what their dreams are and help them achieve them?

Is it planning some team days where you do speed dating or team day at the go-kart track to promote some laughter and community?

Is there some serious work that needs to be done on the culture of your business so that your team knows you care about them? Do you forget birthdays/anniversaries, do you acknowledge big wins, and celebrate hard work?

Or is your team just punching in and punching out, just waiting for the next Friday afternoon or next week-long holiday?

You spend too much time at work to NOT invest in the people around you. That’s why I love that quote, money, products, your business, it doesn’t care if you win or lose... it’s just a thing.

But people... PEOPLE always care.

So start fighting for the right things. So that years from now, you can look back and realize you were working for the right stuff all that time. So that when you see people succeed and success is lying in the palm of your hand you won’t be wishing you fought for something else.

People care if you fight for them... Man, that’s good.

Have a great week everyone!