In Yiddish, the term “mensch” (מענטש) refers to a person of integrity, honor, and decency. It is a compliment that describes someone who is kind, responsible, and compassionate. The word “mensch” is often used to emphasize someone’s admirable qualities and their commitment to doing what is right.
The term “menschlichkeit” or “menschlikhkeyt” (מענטשלעכקייט) is derived from “mensch” and is used to describe the quality or characteristic of being a mensch. It encompasses values such as moral uprightness, empathy, and a sense of communal responsibility.
So, “menschkeit” or “menschkite” (מענטשקייט) can be understood as the state or quality of being a mensch, embodying the traits and values associated with being an honorable and good-hearted person. I heard it used in the movie “City Hall” with Al Pacino. There is a scene (below) where Pacino is talking to John Cusack about Meschkeit….he described it as ” The There Thats There” , the “stuff between men” the “space between a handshake”. In short, the things that bind people together beyond contracts and formulas.
So what does an Irish Catholic Business Broker think Meschkiet is so damn important. Well, I will tell you. All too often novice buyers and sellers with their lawyers and accountants reduce transactions to math, winning, losing. They often forget the mortar between the bricks…the blue sky the holds a deal together.
In real estate, there is an asset that generally retains value and appreciates. The sanity of the math lends parties to looking at the deal in a simplistic mathematical manner…and that is fine. Business deals…well not so much.
Integrity, reputation. trust…the Menschkeit. In Business Sales, details matter but very often that “space between a handshake” gets further and further apart. One side over plays a hand, things they got a win and some of the Menschkeit gets lost. Valuing the relationship is hard and scary because the experts don’t like the gray, the magic that makes relationships stick. In the hundreds of deals I have done I always try to educate on the importance of relationships of buyers and sellers post close. The great deals are those where relationships, trust, and the parties see each other as a Mensch…a person of “moral uprightness, empathy, and a sense of communal responsibility”. In deals where its lacking…well we see pain, suffering, problems.
In short, build a relationship. Be a Mensch…it will pay dividends I promise you.
For more on business sales contact Tampa Business Broker Michael Shea at 321-287-0349 or email him at mike@tworld.com.