Could Freemasonry be the Ultimate Management Training School?

There is a saying that there is ‘no smoke without fire’ and people have always seen Freemasonry as the society for the rich and successful. Could it however be that the success of our members in the outside world is in the main due to the training they receive inside the Lodge? The way I see it, Freemasonry teaches our Brethren the most important lessons needed for successful business management and entrepreneurial endeavours.

Bravery

Freemasonry starts with a leap of faith a step into the unknown. It is like the blind-folded step on the tarot card of ‘the Fool’. Entering into the Lodge not knowing what will happen takes guts. The interview process, the balloting, the whole thing is a trial of manhood. After this, what job interview or presentation would be anywhere near as stressful?

Public Speaking

In Freemasonry you learn to speak. You start off learning the answers to set questions and then work up to memorising small sections of Masonic ritual. You also learn how to make speeches and toasts. After a couple of years most Freemasons feel undaunted by having to make impromptu toasts and speeches often in front of over a hundred men with little or no warning. It seems to be a Masonic tradition to surprise you at the last minute with such duties.

Management

As you work up the ladder in Masonry you learn all sorts of skills. You learn to be a ‘doorman’ (Tyler) a ‘messenger’ (Deacon) an overseer (Warden) and in the end a CEO (Worshipful Master). Then you learn humility by returning to the ranks. By taking every responsibility you learn how to function in many different roles. You also get a big picture of management in a way that no other training can give.

Tolerance

In the Masonic Lodge you learn to get on with everyone. You meet people from all religions and all walks of life. You learn a lot more about other people and learn to be charitable and understanding towards others with different opinions to your own. Most of all you learn to get on with and work with others no matter how different you naturally are.

Morality

Most of all Freemasonry teaches you to be moral and upstanding. In business, as in building, a house without firm solid foundations will not stand and a wall built on a slant will fail to hold.


In summary I suspect this is the true reason Masons become so successful in the business world, because Freemasonry is in fact the ultimate business training school.