The biggest loser conforms.
What’s left when you lose yourself?
You are your greatest contribution.
You are the biggest loser when you lose yourself.
Don’t Be the Biggest Loser
#1. Tap Your Roots
Speak from conviction, not convention. Lead from inner reality, not borrowed opinions.
- Teach what you’ve lived, not what you’ve read.
- Choose consistency over popularity.
#2. Keep Your Hair
Don’t run around with your hair on fire. Frantic schedules lead to shallow lives.
An overbooked calendar reflects unfocused leadership.
- Schedule whitespace.
- Go home and unplug. Don’t work to the point of fatigue every day.
#3. Follow Love
Get out of leadership if doing hard things frustrates you. Don’t endure life. Do things that energize your heart.
“Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it.” Thoreau
- Notice when energy goes up. Do more of that.
- Approach difficulties with a can-do attitude.
Motives contribute to meaning.
#4. Refuse Bribes
“The community has no bribe that will tempt a wise man.” Thoreau
You lose power when you crave approval.
Lead by conscience, not for applause.
- Restrain your inner people-pleaser.
- Do the right thing regardless of recognition.
#5. Padlock Your Brain
Attention is treasure. Discipline your think-time. Devote attention to essentials. Reject trivialities.
- Limit exposure to gossip, outrage, and trivia.
- Create reflection time.
- Encourage teams to pursue purposeful work.
Attention is your leadership asset.
#6. Defy Convention
Crowd-followers pursue sophistication.
Stay sincere. Keep wonder alive. Play.
- Challenge systems that reward corruption or mediocrity.
- Model moral clarity with humility and openness.
- Pair a tender spirit with strong conviction.
#7. Rototill Your Garden
Nurture inner growth.
- Nurture solitude and introspection. Keep a journal.
- Speak less.
- Encourage others to grow inwardly, not just outwardly.
How can leaders protect their identity?
