The Power of Quiet Leadership: Lead Without a Title, Rise Without Ego

 

 

The thing about a master is they always think they are an apprentice.And the thing about a professional is they keep the mindset of an amateur, always hungry to learn, improve and evolve.

We visited this concept before. Yet it's essential that I reinforce it for you. So that you remember it, after our time together is over.

Becoming an expert in your field is dangerous. Why? For the reason that experts fall into the trap of believing they know every-thing. They develop a huge sense of pride in all they know. So they stop being willing to change their minds and they stop studying, preparing, working, innovating and optimizing. So they rest on their laurels and think that because they're at the top they I automatically remain at the top. This arrogance is the beginning of their end.

I encourage you to do whatever it takes to insulate your humbleness as you rise in the success that will attract more money to you.

Humility is necessary for enduring mastery. And the greatest leaders don’t think too much of themselves. I'm not at all saying not to have high self-worth. I'm just saying in this culture of too many people tooting their own horns and trumpeting their own genius be quiet. And stay open.

Now, you might not think you're a leader, but in fact you very much are.

Years ago, I wrote a book called The Leader Who Had no Title. Really, you can lead without a position, influence without an office and impact without formal authority.

When one of my kids was little, I asked them what it meant to be a leader. The reply was unforgettable: "Dad, at school, when we all have to walk to the playground the person at the front of the line is the leader. But the cool thing is that every day, someone new gets to stand at the front of the line. So everyone in the class gets their turn to be a leader.

But leading without a title isn't the main point of this mentoring message My key here is to gently remind you to be humble in the skills you pursue, work you do and life you make. Because the humblest is the greatest.

Which brings me to a story I've never forgotten about Konoske Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic, the global electronics company.

One day, he was set to have a meal at a steak restaurant in the heart of Tokyo. The staff at the restaurant were on high alert and their best behavior, knowing that one of the icons of japanese business would be visiting their place.

With the eyes of everyone in the room on him, the luminary of industry was carefully served a perfect steak, painstakingly prepared by the eminent chef. Matsushita ate part of the steak that had been made for him. But then left most of it.

Those who watched from the kitchen appeared distressed and slightly heartbroken. They felt they had failed to impress their revered guest. And took it as a personal defeat that the had failed to deliver.

The grandmaster of commerce asked to speak to the chef, wich made the team even more nervous. All thought jobs would be lost and reputations ruined.

Yet something completely different happened. After the chef came out of the kitchen, Matsushita said, with his head held low, in an aged and whispery voice, "Please forgive me. Your food was superb. I'm an old man so I don't eat that much anymore. I just wanted to let you know this so you don't think that I didn't enjoy your exquisite food. I thank you. And I thank your fine team for your generous hospitality."

As you lead without a title and create the financial fortune that feels truest and most honest to you, As champion you to keep your feet on the ground. As you rise, grow even more modest. Even more willing to learn. Listen. Invent. Optimize. Serve. And never, ever, show off. It's bad manners. And degrading to your greatness.

Do all that I'm suggesting and you'll be assured of being at the top for a long time. And one of the primary goals when it comes to success isn't just to reach it. It's to sustain it. Ordinary producers aspire to reach the peak. Legends are dedicated to remaining there for an entire career. So the generations who follow them know that they were there.

My beloved father used to say this: "Robin, the tree that bears the most fruit bows overs the most." Please think about that over the hours ahead. Even in a society with people going out of their way to show you how smart, strong and rich they are, be a humble leader. And a grounded human being.

 

 

 

 

Culled from:  ‘The wealth money cant buy” by Robin Sharma