More than just one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin is widely regarded as one of the most important and impactful men in the history of the United States. His list of achievements is both broad and deep, and includes some of the great inventions of our time, including the lightning rod, bifocals, and the first political cartoon. He single-handedly invented the idea of the “self-made man.” Despite being born into a poor family and only receiving two years of formal schooling, Franklin became a successful printer, scientist, musician, and author.

When he was just 20 years old, he set a seriously lofty goal: moral perfection. To help him accomplish this goal (which it is questionable if he ever actually did or not), he created a list of thirteen virtues, to which he dedicated his life. I think that many of these virtues have direct applications to business and leadership, so I thought I’d share my thoughts on each with you here:

“TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”

Your business is not the place to indulge your fantasies or create the façade of a successful life. It is the place that you will spend most of your time, and therefore the place that requires the utmost kindness and patience. Do not portray something to others that which you wish for them to see, but that isn’t true.

““SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”

Avoid the temptation to step in and do everything for your employees. Allow things to sort themselves out, without your interference or micromanagement, as often as you can. Do not take over.

“ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”

Reduce the required parts of your business to the essentials and ensure that they have their place. File papers and forms neatly and do not keep anything that you do not require as a part of your daily operations. Do things simply and do not over-complicate simple tasks.

“RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”

Commit. Stop thinking that it might be better to “just go get a job” or “maybe I should just sell the business.” Double down on your commitment to making your dreams come true by mastering your business and your life.

“FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”

It may sometimes be necessary to leverage debt in your organization, or spend heavily on an improvement or repair. However, at all times you must be more focused on improving the bottom line of your organization and on creating cash flow, than you are on generating top-line revenue. Do not grow your expenses before it is absolutely necessary.

“INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”

Use your time appropriately. Create an ideal week and use time-blocking to ensure that your most important actions are always top-of-mind. Reduce or eliminate distractions caused by phone calls, emails, or disruptions by becoming a relentless defender of your calendar and schedule.

“SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”

Say what you mean and mean what you say. Do not expect customers, employees, or colleagues to read your mind. Admit when you are wrong and advocate for yourself when you are right. Be vulnerable when necessary. It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of courage.

“JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”

Always act with the highest levels of integrity in your dealings with people. Even if it would be easy to “get away with” a small transgression, you must resist the urge and seek to always do what’s right. Do not overcharge customers or underpay employees. Be fair and you will reap the rewards of integrity.

“MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”

In all things that you do in your business, beware of the extremes. Stay focused on the “boring middle” and make it your passion to enjoy the struggles of everyday business. Don’t overextend the company finances or efforts whenever possible.

“CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.”

Keep your vehicles, your buildings, your showrooms, your offices, your shop floors in tip-top condition, both functionally and visually. Have a dress code for your employees and enforce it regularly. Do not shy away from hard conversations about the way that things should look and feel.

“TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”

Let things go and rely on great people and great culture to regulate the challenges that arise. Never yell at or chide an employee, customer, or colleague. Never blame conspiracy when you can blame ignorance. Be the wise and patient sage and resist elevation of conflict.

“CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”

Never abuse your power. Use it for the good of your employees and your customers. Respect and honor the fact that, although you may have every right to dictate within the confines of your business, that benevolence is often the best choice.

“HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”

Don’t try to be something that you are not. Do not overstate your finances, or brag about your accomplishments, even if they are true. Seek to understand before seeking to be understood and use your ears and mouth proportionately.