This was me some years back.
Thereโs a wheelbarrow guy who normally comes to our office to dispose of our waste. He usually charges between N700 and N1,000, but somehow, I would still price him down. ๐
One particular day, he came as usual to pack the refuse. We were all outside, and I was bargaining with him to collect N300 instead of the N500 he asked for.
One of my drivers quietly put his hand in his pocket, brought out N1,000 and gave it to the man.
Then he looked at me and said:
โBoss, God has blessed you to a certain level. There are some conversations you should be above.โ
Omoโฆ my feet dragged on the ground. ๐
That statement humbled me.
Sometimes, itโs not about whether you can get something cheaper. Itโs about understanding that there are people whose little earnings mean far more to them than the few hundred naira you are trying to save.
Since that day, Iโve learnt to ask myself: Is this really a negotiation, or am I simply trying to save money at someone elseโs expense?
That was one of the simplest but deepest lessons Iโve ever received from someone who works for me.
โDo you know you can be so wealthy, but youโre so ingratiated into the worldly system that in your SUV you have the audacity to wind down your window with your AC, and youโre pricing plantain. Why are you pricing plantain? You want God to pun!$h you?โ โ Pastor Emmanuel Iren