By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
(This isn’t a joke. Read this or stay small forever.)
In 1988, I was offered a full scholarship to study Geography at the University of Amsterdam.
My sponsor, Professor Marius Angelikis — a Dutch academic genius with a name straight out of a Bond film and the intellect to match — believed I had the mind for global mastery.
I turned it down.
And now, decades later, that decision still haunts me. Because back then, I thought Geography was about rivers, rocks, and rainforests. Turns out, it’s about real power — the kind you don’t find in textbooks or corporate retreats.
Here’s the truth:
Geography is the study of how the world actually works — not just where the mountains are, but why empires rise, currencies collapse, wars begin, and deadlines get missed in five different time zones.
It’s about borders, behavior, belief systems, food supply, water rights, trade routes, migration flows, cultural expectations, work ethic, language, and leadership — all the stuff your MBA program pretended to teach you but never connected to a living, breathing world.
If I’d accepted that scholarship, who knows?
- Leading a global intelligence unit.
- Advising Fortune 500s on how not to blow up their Asia strategy.
- Managing 5,000 employees across 42 time zones and 17 conflicting philosophies…
- While sipping espresso in Milan and reading maps like love letters.
Instead?
I’m catching up.
Reverse-engineering the global puzzle.
And building a Geostrategy Division inside my company like my future depends on it.
Because, frankly, it does.
📉 Your MBA Teaches Strategy.
🌍 Geography Teaches Survival.
If you don’t understand how belief systems shape incentives…
If you don’t grasp why one culture says “maybe” and means “no”…
If you don’t know how borders bend behavior…
Then your global expansion plan is just an over-budget field trip.
Faith vs Work Ethic — A Field Manual
Christians, Muslims, Jews:
Often raised on “God will provide.” A beautiful mindset for worship. But in business? Deadlines are suggestions. Time is flexible.
Solution: Add a dash of Stoicism or Machiavellian realism to the mix.
Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs:
Work is spiritual. Karma is currency. Beautiful balance, but not exactly sprint culture. Expect deliverables wrapped in peace and patience.
Solution: Blend with Confucianism or Taoist pragmatism to spark focused execution. (That’s how Japan, Korea, and China industrialized without losing their souls.)
Global Mindset in 9 Bullet Points
1. Latin America = Catholic guilt + Carnival resilience
2. Middle East = Islam in high gear — business with deep intensity
3. Africa = Islam + Christianity, often on opposite ends of the same street
4. Western Europe / Australia / NZ = Stoic Christianity — get it done, no fuss
5. USA = Gospel + Machiavelli: “God bless” + “You’re fired”
6. Eastern Europe / Russia = Chessboard mindset. Cold calculations.
7. Israel = Jewish heritage + geopolitical mastery. Respect their holidays — or else.
8. North Korea = …Moving on.
9. Sri Lanka = Inner peace first. Deadlines later. But always done with a smile.
The Global Business Filter
Someone tells you they’re Christian, Muslim, or Jewish?
My follow-up:
“Beautiful. But are you also Stoic or Machiavellian?”
If they say no, I nod… and quietly draft a backup plan.
Because belief without execution is the fastest path to failure.
If they’re Hindu, Buddhist, or Sikh?
“Lovely. But do you study Confucius or Lao Tzu?”
If not, I brace for a weeklong retreat of soul-searching — with zero KPIs.
The Bottom Line
Geography is your CEO playbook.
It explains:
- Why your Asian partner won’t say “no” — but keeps missing deadlines.
- Why your Nigerian vendor disappears during religious holidays (without notice).
- Why deals collapse over events you’ve never heard of.
- And why some teams live to work… while others work just enough to live.
Geography isn’t a school subject.
It’s the hidden code behind leadership, strategy, and survival.
And yes — this insight is free.
Until I start billing.
Our Geostrategy Division Is Now Open.
First 15 minutes? $500.
We accept wire transfers, crypto, and juicy insider gossip.
Bonus: Sri Lanka Edition
1. Peace is a strategy.
2. Spirituality is standard.
3. Casual mid-conversation slaps? Culturally within bounds.
4. Deadlines are fluid.
5. Jobs get done. Eventually.
6. Smiling is law.
7. “Thank you” is sacred.
8. And the food? Meditation on a plate. 🍛
Welcome to business without borders.
And if you want to lead globally…
Don’t skip Geography.
About the Author
John is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of JS Morlu, LLC, a Virginia based CPA firm with multiple software ventures including www.FinovatePro.com, www.Recksoft.com and www.Fixaars.com . With operations spanning multiple countries, John is on a mission to build global infrastructure that empowers small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. He believes in hard truths, smart execution, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. When he’s not writing or building, he’s challenging someone to a productivity contest—or inventing software that automates it.
