The Secret Power of Immutable Laws: Building a Business that Fits Your True Self
Deep down, we all have a set of unbreakable principles—rules we follow, even when things get tough. In business, these Immutable Laws act as your compass when choices get complicated or pressures rise. One owner found relief and focus when she stopped trying to fit into stuffy industry expectations and instead stuck with her law: 'No Dicks Allowed.' So she released clients who didn’t respect her or her team, even if turning them away felt risky in the short run. Another business drew a line at 'Blood Money': frugality mattered more than impressing anyone with fancy gadgets or flashy offices. For some, it’s generosity; for others, reliability or crazy-fast response times.
Decisions get easier when you know your laws. When a big potential client wanted a project with impossible deadlines and costly demands, a quick check against core rules made the decision obvious. Even hiring and vendor choices started to feel less like a guessing game and more like finding friends with similar values. And there’s a payoff: clients who share your values stick around longer, are easier to work with, and introduce you to more people just like them.
In behavioral science, this is a blend of identity theory and congruence—when your actions match your self-image and values, stress drops and authenticity skyrockets. Research suggests that businesses rooted in personal values build stronger customer loyalty, attract better partnerships, and are more resilient during hard times.
Tonight, spend ten minutes reflecting on what rules you refuse to break in life or business. Which situations have left you uncomfortable or energized? Write down at least three Immutable Laws and revisit them as you evaluate clients or tough decisions. Share these laws with your team, or even display them for clients—being public about what you believe in makes it easier to attract the right people and repel the rest, which can transform your daily work experience. Let your actions follow your compass, and feel how much more natural leadership becomes.
What You'll Achieve
Greater alignment between personal values and everyday business choices, reduced internal conflict, and better relationships with clients and team members.
Declare and Live by Your Immutable Laws
Identify your core, non-negotiable values.
Reflect on times you’ve felt really proud or deeply uncomfortable in your work. Write down the 3–4 values or rules you refuse to break, no matter what.
Check how your business decisions align with these laws.
Review recent choices in hiring, spending, and client interactions—are any in conflict with your values?
Update your Assessment Chart to include Immutable Laws.
For each client—or even major project—rate whether they fit with your core rules, not just revenue.
Make your laws visible.
Share these values on your website, with your team, or in your workspace so others know what you stand for.
Reflection Questions
- Which rules or values am I most proud of following, even under pressure?
- Have I made decisions recently that went against my core beliefs?
- How would my business—or life—change if I declared my Immutable Laws publicly?
- What kind of clients or team members do my values attract or repel?
Personalization Tips
- A health coach writes 'No shortcuts, only sustainable habits' on her office whiteboard and turns down crash-diet requests.
- A teacher publicly commits to 'Respect every voice' in her classroom, even if it means managing tough discussions.
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