There’s a phrase that gets thrown around all too often when the chips are down and people get hurt – “It’s just business.” Typically, it’s said by someone who’s just taken advantage of another person, cut a corner, or made a decision that benefits them at the expense of someone else. It’s the kind of phrase that’s meant to absolve the speaker of any sense of guilt, to soften the blow of an action that’s clearly self-serving. But if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of this remark, you know that it stings far more than any insult. The rub comes when those same people who wield this adage with impunity suddenly change their tune when the shoe is on the other foot. When it’s their turn to be on the receiving end of a deal that doesn’t go their way, they sure as hell aren’t treating it like “just business” anymore.
What does that tell you? It tells me we’ve got a serious issue at the heart of our society today. The hypocrisy is noticeable, and it runs deep. From massive corporations down to your local real estate agent, these individuals and entities have perfected the art of taking advantage of people, hiding behind the convenient excuse that “it’s just business” when it benefits them. But when it’s their turn to be mistreated or out-maneuvered, suddenly it’s personal. They suddenly want to talk about fairness, loyalty, or ethics. The discrepancy in their reactions is as stark as it is revealing.
This, my friends, is the problem with society today. These individuals, or rather, these opportunists, are among the most notable examples of what’s gone wrong in our world. They mask their self-interest with carefully constructed facades of professionalism, using phrases like “it’s just business” to distance themselves from the very human consequences of their actions. When they act in their own best interests—sometimes at the expense of others—they get a free pass because they’re playing the game. The rules, so it seems, don’t apply to them.
Big corporations, in particular, are notorious for this behavior. They thrive on “just business” as their guiding principle, whether they’re laying off employees to boost stock prices, cutting deals that benefit them at the expense of consumers, or outsourcing labor to pay less while disregarding the well-being of workers. Yet, the moment something happens to threaten their bottom line, watch out. They’re quick to jump on the moral high ground, crying foul when it’s their interests at stake. Have you ever seen a corporation fight for its reputation after a scandal or even after an honest mistake? They suddenly care deeply about their image, their ethics, their customers. Where was that concern when they were making their cutthroat decision? Where was the empathy when their actions harmed real people?
But it doesn’t stop with the big guys. This mindset filters down to every corner of society. I’ve witnessed it in small business dealings, real estate transactions, and even in everyday interactions. Take the local real estate agent, for instance. How many times have we heard, “It’s just business” after they’ve snagged the deal that leaves you with less than you bargained for? They’re quick to remind you that it’s all part of the game, that it’s just a transaction, and that you shouldn’t take it personally. But should the tables be turned—should they be the ones left out in the cold—they’d suddenly expect loyalty and fairness. They wouldn’t dare let anyone play the same game with them. They would demand respect, honesty, and ethical behavior.
It’s this double standard that I believe is a major contributor to the erosion of trust in our society. It creates a world where self-interest is dressed up as rationality, where personal gain is excused as “just business,” and where fairness is a commodity only afforded to those who can pay for it. We need to start holding people accountable for their actions, not just dismissing them as “business as usual.” If it’s good enough to hide behind that excuse when it benefits you, it should be good enough to accept it when the tables turn.
The hypocrisy in this mindset breeds resentment, mistrust, and division. It’s a cancer at the heart of our interactions, big and small. If we’re ever going to build a society that values integrity, fairness, and mutual respect, we need to stop letting “it’s just business” slide. It’s time for people to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. The sooner we start demanding honesty and accountability in all areas of life, the sooner we can begin to heal these deep divisions.
So, the next time someone tells you, “It’s just business,” ask them: “When it’s your turn, will you feel the same way?” The answer, more often than not, will tell you everything you need to know about who they really are.