MaineBusiness.com

Seek Not Glory!

Have you ever committed your blood, sweat and tears to a project only to have someone else take all the credit for it? Don’t you just hate the jerks who take credit for other people’s ideas?

"Therefore, the general who does not advance to seek glory…but cares for only the people's security and promotes the people's interests, is the nation's treasure." Sun Tzu.

Sun Tzu is one of my favorite “Wise Guys.” In fact, I subscribe to an on-line course in Sun Tzu’s Art of War specifically designed for business people. You’ll find this course at www.SonShi.com; I highly recommend it!

I can’t stand people who steal, particularly those who steal other people’s ideas. I’d rather have someone steal my car than to steal one of my ideas…unless that person works for me and he’s using that idea to make money for the company!

In fact, when you work for me I’ll even try to get you to steal my ideas. I’ll leave a good idea lying around in plain view just begging you to take it. Why? Because when you steal an idea it becomes yours, and you’re always going to work harder on your idea than mine.

When you’re in a position of leadership, it’s not your job to advance your personal glory; it’s your job to advance the mission and profitability of your organization. You can’t trade credit for your ideas on cars, houses and vacations; but you can cash your bonus checks when your people work at peak efficiency and produce record profits.

The fact is people always work harder when they own a particular task or idea. If your sole ambition is to be glorified, then be prepared to do all the work yourself. If you’re willing to share the glory, the people under your charge will respond with more enthusiasm and commitment.

Of course, as a leader it’s part of your job to come up with good ideas! The challenge is how to engage people so that they become fully vested in your idea and will commit themselves to its success. To do this you sometimes need to be cleaver; to encourage others to “steal” your idea you’ve got to leave it in plain view. You need to sometimes leave a trail of crumbs by giving background information and clearly expressing need. You’ve got to ask questions.

Most of all, when you get the response that will take your idea forward, do what Dale Carnegie recommended way back in 1937: “Let the other person fell that the idea is his or hers.” It worked in 1937 and it works now!

If your aim is glory, prepare to enjoy your own company. “The Rabbi who sings his own praise often has a congregation of one!” If you’re willing to put aside your need for recognition to further your cause, your cause is going to go a whole lot further!

You should show appreciation for the people who help you make your vision of success a reality. They deserve and appreciate the credit. As the leader, glory should be your last priority and should be generously shared with those who helped you fight the battle.

Speaking of stealing ideas: Here’s one I want YOU to steal…RIGHT NOW! As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the past and resolve to make changes in the New Year…Bullsh#*t!

Resolutions suck! This year create a New Year REVOLUTION. Visit the Free Download section at www.JimBouchard.org and steal your FREE New Year REVOLUTION audio program and PDF workbook! STEAL IT! REALLY!

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