How greedy are we?

Greed is an enormous word and mostly tainted with a negative association, but the truth is, that we all embody greed in one way or a another. Why does a catastrophe have to happen, that we learn to share again?

The reason why I write about this issue was a talk show on ARD “Hart aber fair” hosted by Frank Blasberg. The topic was “Sufficient is still too little. Why does greed dominate us?” It was so interesting, that I thought about greed in my life and how greedy I am. That’s why I dedicate my weekly blog to this topic and want to present to you some voices in that panel discussion.

The most interesting fact for me was that we are all born greedy. It is scientifically proven by Matthias Sutter (professor of economy in Innsbruck) among others that newborns don’t share. Only due to a good education they learn to share. So does that mean that all the greedy managers went through a bad education?

I think I went through a very good education and know how to share, although I am the youngest of three children. But nevertheless, I remember me being 6 or 7 years old and greedy. I used to collect these figures in the chocolate eggs (Überraschungseier) and a friend of mine had the complete line of the “happy hippos” and oh my god, I was so envious and wanted to have the missing hippos, which were about 7 out of 10 (I just started collecting them). My friend went to the bathroom and the figures were in my pocket. I could have taken just two of them, and perhaps she wouldn’t have realised anything, but my mind went blank and I took them all. I still remember the feeling of greed I had and I think we all can tell similar stories. Besides I was not only greedy but pretty mean, but I said sorry and gave her the figures back. Still, we don’t know each other today, well, no surprise.

Jutta Ditfurth, a journalist, says in that panel discussion that greed is the essence of capitalism, but personally, I think one just cannot limit greed to the economy, as it is a human vice, which everyone should control carefully. I would love to see these people, who complain about today’s manager, in their position, when the next million seems to be so attractive. I don’t want to credit the greedy top managers, not at all. Nevertheless, I can understand them to some extent or at least know where the behaviour is coming from, as nobody is immune from greed and as a saying states: “Wealth is like sea water. The more you drink of it, the thirstier you get.”

Another thought came across my mind. We all study “International Business Management”. Do we have to be greedy in order to be successful later on? Well, greed is such a negative word, but it can be a driving force. And greed does not always have to be the desire for money, it also means greed for knowledge (Wissbe-gier) and curiosity (Neu-gier), which are necessary for success.

So how greedy are you?

Advertisement