Don’t Be the Biggest Loser

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?