Be Fair In Your Dealings

I head up a business that delivers technology solutions to clients.

More than three decades ago, during my induction as an intern, the Chairman of Wipro, one of India’s premier technology firms, Mr. Azim Premji, imparted some valuable advice that I still hold dearly.

His message to us was on the importance of fairness in commercial dealings.

Never be greedy when engaging in any commercial transactions with clients. Even if you’re not going to work with the client ever again. Even if you think word won’t get out or the client will never know. Even if you feel it is your one shot to make it. Be fair in your dealings. If you want to charge a premium, deliver a solution that is valuable enough to justify the premium. Your fairness pays back as trust and reputation.

This is a principle that I always keep in mind in all my commercial dealings, and it has served me well.

Come to think of it, we can apply this idea of fairness to any form of negotiation or engagement.