When you think of inspiring business books, the Bible doesn’t often spring to mind. But there are some valuable lessons to be learned from “The Book of Esther” — and you don’t even have to be religious to appreciate them.
If you are unfamiliar with the story, check out this summary from Wikipedia.
Naturally, “Esther” is my favorite book in the Old Testament. First, there’s that name. I like the fact that she was a brave heroine and royalty. Think of her as a real-life Wonder Woman without the golden bracelets or lasso of truth. And okay, she also was evidently quite the looker.
Second, it is a great story of palace intrigue, danger and triumph over evil despite jaw-dropping odds. I mean, she stopped a genocide, for crying out loud.
But I never thought of Queen Esther as a mentor for running my business until some years ago, when I bought the book, “What Queen Esther Knew: Business Strategies from a Biblical Sage” by Connie Glaser & Barbara Smalley.
The book points out that the same principles Esther followed 2,500 years ago to save her people can be used in the 21st Century to succeed in business. And what are these principles? Read on:
No. 1 — Make a great first impression: Do your research
Let’s face it: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Esther prepared for her initial meeting with the king (Ahasuerus—don’t even try to pronounce his name unless you know Hebrew) by making sure she was extremely presentable. She also found out about his likes and dislikes ahead of time. She studied up on palatial news. By the time she met the king, she was well-versed in the culture of the palace.
Today, before we meet with a potential client for the first time, it is important to learn as much as possible about their business, daily operations, and rituals. If it is possible, find an insider who can give you the “skinny” on how the company operates.
No. 2 — Find a mentor
Esther had two mentors. Inside the palace, she had Hegai, who helped familiarize her with the royal protocol. Outside the palace, she had her cousin, Mordecai, who was politically savvy and had many palace connections.
Today, studies show that those who rise to C-suite status more often than not have been mentored.
No. 3 — Keep your ears to the ground and stay educated
Through her cousin, Mordecai, Esther (the new queen) heard of a plot to assassinate the king. She intervened and saved him, thereby enhancing her profile and credibility.
Today, it is essential to stay aware and up-to-date about developments in our industry. It is unlikely we will catch any killers, but it pays to get a jump on industry news, whether for our own or for our clients’ benefit.
No. 4 — Fight for your cause
To plead for the safety of her people, Esther approached the king without being summoned. According to Persian law, this was a transgression punishable by dethroning and, more importantly, death. But she persevered by preparing for the meeting (see No. 5) and approaching him strategically.
Today, without taking calculated risks and embracing change, it is unlikely that any of us will succeed. The big lesson here: Follow your heart and your passion.
No. 5 — Plan ahead
Esther knew that blowing the whistle on Haman (bad guy alert; see No. 7) had to be done with political correctness and tact. So she planned out a scenario in which she got close to Haman, which would make the king (a chronic lush) listen to her revelation. She had a mission and she planned out her sneak attack step by step. She took some “me time” to prepare and rehearse everything she would say and do.
Today, having a mission statement and embodying it can make your company’s entire raison d’être clear to colleagues, clients and employees. And having a business plan means you know what to do and when in the life of your business.
No. 6 — Communicate powerfully
Esther had to time her revelation and ensure her story would have an impact that would save both her and her people, and so she chose her timing and her words very carefully:
“If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life - this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king…”
Do you see what she did here? She played to the king’s ego.
Today, we would all love to communicate with impact, both verbally and in written form. But business schools do not teach how to speak with clarity and assuredness, and they should. They also do not teach body language, but again, they should. Knowing how to speak to your audience (whether it is a boozy monarch or a difficult client) is super important to get your message across and have it land with oomph.
No. 7 — Deal with bad people
Haman was an evil guy, no two ways about it. And Esther had to be strategic in how she would expose him and, ultimately, take him out of the picture.
Today, dealing with people we cannot stand is not quite as life-threatening as what Esther faced. But nasty people exist everywhere and in every time period, whether they are control freaks or some other type of toxicity. Strategy can conquer them, but that isn’t always possible. Since no one is about to get assassinated, there may be a point at which you fire your Hamans, whether they’re an employee or a client. Life will be better after that.
No. 8 — Believe in yourself
Esther rose from adversity and persevered, despite the life-threatening situation.
Today, all we have is our faith in ourselves to persevere and follow our business dreams. We cannot change anyone but ourselves. We all face adversity of one kind or another; how we deal with adversity is what sets us apart.
No. 9 — Toot your horn
“The Book of Esther” is read every year on the holiday of Purim (which generally happens in February or March), when we celebrate the heroism of Esther and Mordecai, and the triumph of good over evil.
Today, all of us need to toot our own horns, to let the community know what makes us tick and what we’ve done for others.
Even though the original story is over two millennia old, these principles are timeless. Emulating a biblical queen can indeed boost your business. Take it from Esther—either one of us.
Esther Friedberg Karp is an internationally-renowned trainer, writer and speaker from Toronto, where she runs her QuickBooks consulting practice, EFK CompuBooks Inc. Consistently in Insightful Accountant's Top 100 ProAdvisors, she has been named to the Top 10 twice.
A ProAdvisor in three countries, she has traveled the world with Intuit, spoken at QuickBooks Connect in San Jose and Toronto, among other places, and has written countless articles for Intuit Global.
Esther has been named one of the “Top 50 Women in Accounting,” a “Top 10 Influencer” in the Canadian Bookkeeping World, and is a repeat nominee for the “RBC Canadian Women’s Entrepreneur Awards.” She counts among her clients many international companies, as well as accounting professionals seeking her out on behalf of their own clients for her expertise in multi-currency and various countries’ editions of QuickBooks Desktop and Online.
She can be reached at esther@e-compubooks.com or 416-410-0750.
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