lip-service. Display hubris. The smoke and mirrors are often effective, though

temporarily so. Eventually, as song says, truth is found out. "I never found anyone to

fulfill my needs." Translation: The heroes never came through. True heroes are rare. True heroes exist because of a concept that few contestants

in The Confidence Game apply. Spot key word below. "I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow.

If I fail, if I succeed, at least I did as I believe.

No matter what they take from me, they can't take away my [*integrity*]."

(My adaptation.) Yes, folks, word is *integrity.* The original lyrics used word "dignity." Not

as important as integrity, in my book. Integrity and dignity don't necessarily go

hand in hand. Integrity means telling truth, even when you've failed. Many do

not see dignity in doing this, and prefer to go more cowardly route of covering

up. The world is in desperate need of heroes. Heroes who work diligently and with

integrity. For higher good, good of all, not just for their own personal gain,

not for their egos. Do you walk talk with integrity? Do you follow-through on your promises? Do

you work for good of all? Do you realize that we must cooperate together from

our smallest societal unit, family, on up to our companies, organizations, towns,

states, countries, and world? We are all connected. You are one unique link in great multi-faceted chain of

humanity. The Confidence Game is just that, a game. Stop playing games and attend to real

lives. We can start by walking our talk with integrity. By making conscientious

efforts on behalf of higher good - good of all. Song: "The Greatest Love of All," lyrics, Whitney Houston.

============================= Hershey Wier, MBA, is a Career & Self-Development Specialist specializing in career

and life transitions. Visit http://www.HersheyWier.com

* Depending on your business, consider a performance guarantee instead of promising a refund. For example, a termite-control customer might prefer your promise to make problem go away, no matter what it takes, to getting her money back if treatment doesn't wipe out pests.

* If you can stand behind outrageous-sounding guarantees, go for it, as in, "We guarantee that your credit-card application will be approved by one of listed banks, or we'll return every penny you paid us, plus $10.00 extra for your trouble." Since this company knows that only 4 percent of applicants get turned down, their offer motivates without bankrupting them.

* Try guaranteeing some aspect of your product or service rather than main product or service itself. One advertising firm promises that all calls will be returned in less than one hour, or caller receives a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant.

* Act graciously and promptly when a request for a refund comes in. See what you can learn from customer's dissatisfaction. Software returns were killing one catalog merchant until she wrote catalog copy more carefully and tested it on her friends for clarity. Customer service research reveals that people whose complaints are handled well often turn into more loyal customers than those who never had a problem!