I truly believe that Dr. Seuss was a genius. He was a creative genius, writing stories full of rhyme and rhythm and when, if what he was trying to say wouldn’t naturally rhyme, he’d just make up a word that did. He broke all the rules of illustration, language, and content for children’s literature at a time when the standard fare in children’s books was Fun with Dick and Jane. His books are beyond just funny children’s stories; they always offer insights into human nature and society.

A fine example of this is Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories. This book was first published in 1950 and is still completely relevant today, not just as a children’s story, by as a philosophical and ethical guide for business and life. I’d even suggest that Yertle the Turtle should be required reading for all business school students and aspiring CEOs. If you haven’t read it or haven’t read it since you were 6, go out and buy a copy. It is a series of 3 stories that address the deadliest sins of life and business: greed, power, vanity, arrogance and ignorance. I think any of us in business know a couple of people that might benefit from reading this book. Here are a few things that we can learn from Seussian Philosophy:

1. Fear not. Stand up for yourself and your ideals. Speak up if you are being taken advantage of. Express yourself.
2. Respect and listen to those around you. I mean deep respect, not just saying please and thank you. Sometimes the best ideas and solutions come from unexpected sources. (Like a children’s book.)
3. Don’t let greed make you hungry for too much too fast. Strive to be driven by great ideas, great products or services, not just by fast money. Trying to grow too fast on the backs of others or before you are ready is a recipe for disaster. Let your business build naturally.
4. Don’t be seduced by visions of fame, notoriety or delusions of grandeur. Let your business speak for itself. True and honest promotion is so much more powerful than false endorsements by famous people (maybe with the one exception of Oprah).
5. Don’t be ignorant, or if you are, admit it. If there’s something you don’t know, don’t pretend you do. Don’t be let arrogance get in the way of seeking help. When in doubt, seek the advice or direction of an expert.

Creativity and ideas have driven me to take risks and do things that most cubicle dwellers wouldn’t dare dream about. I am a risk taker, as most entrepreneurs are. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. But in the process, it’s important to stay true to who you are, where you’re going and what you hope to accomplish while doing some good along the way. There ARE good and decent business people out there. We should all strive to be one of them.