Something Bigger
Who is the most important person in your organization? I don’t know. But it probably isn’t you.
It’s a small universe if you are its center.
You become bigger when you give yourself to something bigger.
Others Make You Matter
Leadership requires others.
A leader is a person with followers. Leadership only exists in relationship.
The way you view others determines the nature of your leadership.
Enough Ego
Healthy ego seeks significance through service. David Letterman, referring to his service to Habitat for Humanity, put it this way,
“When you help others, you feel better about yourself.”
Leaders who live for themselves live small disappointing lives.
Something Bigger
Barack Obama spoke the following words at Senator John McCain’s memorial service.
“By his own account, John was a rebellious young man. In his case, that’s understandable, what faster way to distinguish yourself when you’re the son and grandson of admirals than to mutiny. Eventually, though, he concluded that the only way to really make his mark on the world is to commit to something bigger than yourself.” (September 1, 2018.)
You aren’t the center when you live for something bigger than yourself.
5 Practices
- Put your team at the center of your focus for one day.
- Get excited about things others are doing.
- Talk less about yourself. Brag more about others.
- Stand up for your convictions with grace. Putting others at the center isn’t being a pushover.
- Determine if your actions matter. “Will this matter next week, next month, next year?”
Reflection: Habitual criticism reveals a big ego.
How does leadership change when service takes the center?
6 Reasons Egotistical Leaders are Exhausted
Appreciating your motivating sentence about becoming bigger when you give yourself to something bigger. Finding a purpose that is one of service can happen for each person at every age. The service reminder keeps us grounded when we may feel inclined to let ego take over. Thank-you again for your aways inspiring messages
Dan,
This is so good and such a wonderful, humbling reminder of the role leaders are called to everyday. It so easy to get caught up in all the things that make us believe we are important to the daily operation. I am blessed to have a great team who is dedicated to something bigger – approaching every day with the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
I found every bit of this post relevant and applicable. However, what may have struck me most was the suggested reflection: Habitual criticism reveals a big ego. I was always known for my snarkiness. One day I began to realize that was NOT what I wanted to be known for and that snarkiness doesn’t serve anyone. Now you’ve got me thinking about my ego as it relates to that snarkiness! Thanks for the opportunity to reflect and grow.
I’ve been reading Tom Rath’s new book, “What’s the Point?,” where he also focuses on what we do FOR OTHERS. Love it when I see the same ideas from multiple people I respect!