By this time 2 weeks from now, tax returns for individuals and certain types of businesses will need to have been filed or extensions requested. Some of you may have already had to file your taxes by March 15th or requested an extension. This time of year brings both feelings of challenge and some feelings of reward. It all depends on how you view the concept of what taxes are used for and how your part is appropriately applied.
As business leaders we try our very best to operate successful businesses. This business not only provides goods and services to the community but also critically important it provides jobs, careers, and individuals a sense of self-worth. Bundled behind all of this is the execution of processes, procedures, and the production of deliverables which the marketplace consumes. Woven into all the operations of the business is the “Tax Man” or should I more appropriately say – “IRS, Department of Treasury or other taxation authorities.”
First, I want to make it very clear that I’m absolutely in support of participating in the payment and collection of taxes so that our society and communities can operate to provide its associated goods and services no differently than our businesses deliver to our customers. In addition to such support, I also believe that the “Tax Code” is a set of rules by which we leaders should be aware of and do our part to utilize them as allowed by law.
Cheating or falsifying data to obscure taxable obligations is just wrong. If one of your employees was to twist any one of your organization’s policies to subvert an obligation there is likelihood the employee would have some level of intervention to bring resolution to the matter. It is interesting how rules get manipulated depending on their application. If the twist provides for a tax advantage to the business, it might be viewed as acceptable by some (we are not condoning this practice). When a twist to internal practices are done by team members then as some might say – “They make a federal case of it!”
It boils down to consistent behavioral actions governed by your organization’s Purpose, Core Values, Principles, Vision, and overall environmental culture. If the culture allows for weak accountability to the organization’s standards, then the probability of twists and subversion to company and non-company rules is condoned and allowed to be in play. Consider it like your team is playing a game and various people are using different rules to gain an advantage. In sports there is an official, referee, or governing body not to impose their view of the contest but to assist in ensuring the contest is executed using a set of standards so the outcome is based on the talent of the participants and not the tweaking of the rules.
This week as you look at your plans for the next 9 months of 2023, give some consideration as to how you view the true application and execution of your organization’s Purpose, Core Values etc. Once you review your own alignment then look at how is the rest of your team aligning to the same standards. Is there an opportunity to yield more productive results by bringing everyone into alignment?
Need to step back and have a conversation with a Promise Guide about your organization’s truth – Your Purpose, Your Core Values? Reach out to JKL Associates to set up a complimentary initial call with a Promise Guide. FL (407) 984-7246 MI (313) 527-7945.
Journey On!
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Celebrating 30 years of Delivering on “Promises”
