Successful are the selfless – They are motivated to do what’s right for others rather than what’s just expedient
“You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
Zig Ziglar
Business Beatitudes (“BB”) says Huzzah! or Amen! or YES! Selflessness IS the Name of the Game…BUT it demands clarification and unpacking.
| Selflessness is NOT: | Selflessness IS: |
| Manipulation | Heartfelt |
| Feigned Caring | Sincere |
| Martyr Complex | Contemplated |
| Self-Congratulating | Curious |
| Obvious | Patient |
| Always Perfectly Planned | Sacrificial |
| Scripted | Often Spontaneous |
| Judgmental | Open |
| Goal-less | Quiet |
| “Me” Focused | Visionary |
Without doing a word-by-word, side-by-side comparative study, BB wants to say this:
It’s pretty much impossible to feign or fake caring for any substantial length of time and if anyone thinks he or she can fake it in the moment just to achieve a certain goal…
FUGETABOUTIT! The receiver will see through you like a streak-free, sunshine-reflecting windowpane. If it’s not detected the first time, just give it a while. A pattern will emerge, and your insincerity will be exposed.
So how to do this Selflessness thing? BB offers this little systematic Self-Check:
- What need does my potential client have that I can fill or what questions could I ask to uncover the need?
- Have I properly researched my client’s business in order to develop my own understanding of what’s important to them?
- Am I willing to listen and find common ground, so my client feels important and validated?
These 3 Starter Questions will prime the pump for a Self-LESS attitude. They will put you on the road to sincere interest and caring, patient and sometimes quiet reflection on their needs, curiosity to find solutions that benefit THEM, openness to new ideas and spontaneity or course-change because that’s what THEY need, not you.
Related Blogs:
Successful are the Forgiving – They Build Bridges from a Strong Foundation.
About the author, Scott
I am Scott MacKenzie, husband, father, and passionate industry educator. From humble beginnings as a lathing contractor and certified journeyman/lineman to an Undergraduate and Master’s Degree in Business Administration, I have applied every aspect of my education and training to lead and influence. I believe in serving and adding value wherever I am called.
