I was watching “Locked up Abroad” last night, one of my favorite shows, and it was telling a story of a British born journalist who got into Afghanistan through a connection he had in the tribal system in Pakistan.  Long story short, he was thrown into jail as a possible spy from India because he was Indian.

An amazing part of the story was that his tribal connection was the son of one of the big warlords and was quite the aristocrat; nonetheless the journalist was accused and incarcerated.  Even more amazing, his aristocratic connection let him know that he would be going to jail with him as his protector.  He went on to explain that it was customary for the guest of any tribal house to be extended “Pashtunwali,” which meant that regardless of background they must be protected without return payment or favor.  So off this “prince” went in shackles to jail with his guest to make sure he remained safe.

I LOVE THIS KIND OF THING!!!  I love seeing examples of people standing up for what they believe despite personal hardship.

In my business life I have had to swallow some tough pills to do the right thing and it was those pills, despite causing immediate issues for me which opened some of the most profitable and fulfilling doors.  I want to do business with people who stand on principal and they can count on that from me as well.  When this shows up it is a beautiful thing.