Royal and Golden Counsel, You.

Royal Living - Listening and Opening

More from the search of Hezekiah's men.

Proverbs 25:12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. New Living Translation

Getting The Message: Everyday there are lessons from friends that escape our attention. How do we hear beyond the message at hand?

One Thing Leads To Another: It is common to learn from our mistakes. The hard part seems to be in learning when we don't learn. Learning from the observations of a friend or a counsel or authority when we take a wrong turn can be painful. But it brings a golden strength for your future.

Undervalued: During a negotiation Jerry brought in an advisory group. Somehow, he was sensitive that he was overlooking something necessary for a good contract. Win/win is important. He felt he was in a win/lose transaction. After an hour of review, one of the advisors simply stated, "Put it on your terms." That was enough. The agreement was leaning too far from a good profit model. In the long term both parties would be upset.

As he worked to shift the negotiation to a more equitable basis after the consultation, it was evident the other party was looking for a win/lose negotiation. Every small point was countered with a lose proposition. After only a few interactions, the other party withdrew. It revealed intent. They were not looking for equity in the arrangement, but conquest and full advantage. The golden correction and counsel of a friend prevented what would have been months of hardship and consternation. Good thing Jerry took the time to consult and allow questioning of his logic.  Don't you think so, You.

Oddity

After working through the cessation of the negotiation, Jerry reviewed some of the criticisms from the imbalanced other side of the negotiation. One of the criticisms was painfully pointed and true. It had been addressed and resolved, but it showed another issue. A partner on whom Jerry was depending was not being forthright and accurate. It caused several problems over the last months. Jerry was overlooking the problems of the long term partnership believing the best of them. They weren't playing their best. They were playing him to enable transactions in their favor.

Even though the criticism came from a slanted source, You, it was truthful. Received, it opened the ability to look at alternatives. In a few short days, alternatives to the errant partner's involvement were proving to bring significant savings in operational costs. Another golden favor was embraced.

Prayer:

Father of all Comfort, You see when we are going directions of pain and problem. Along our path, plant friend and foe to correct us. Give us insight to learn from all sources at all times. Hinder our pride. Open our ears. Allow wisdom to seep deeply into us even when we are locked in our own positions. Let You live royally and rightly in the kingdom of grace.

Phil Larson, 405-388-8037'
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Oklahoma 73099