A recent Leadership Wired Blog, Traveling to Infinity and Beyond Means Leaving Self-Centeredness Behind, provides a beautiful and profound insight into how great leaders grow: “Reaching new levels of influence requires self-transcendence, or living beyond yourself.” Here are their thoughts on what “going beyond yourself” means.
1) Seeing Beyond Yourself – People who fail to “see beyond themselves” are usually selfish, insecure, or both. They’re hyper-focused on personal advancement, persuaded the world owes them a living, and convinced that they are indispensable to the fortunes of their team. They stand in sharp contrast to leaders who seek to understand the diverse perspectives of others, see the needs of people around them, and realize that success means sowing seeds that benefit others.
2) Growing Beyond Yourself – Growing beyond your present capacities starts by discovering your purpose, clarifying your priorities, and getting passionate about life. It continues by learning from others who can do more than you can do.
3) Giving Beyond Yourself – Our leadership takes off when, instead of recruiting people to our cause, we invest ourselves in their development. We have to give to others before we can expect to reap their support.
4) Gathering Beyond Yourself – Leaders don’t necessarily gather the people they want; they attract the people most like themselves. To surround yourself with great people, you need to work at becoming a great person. Self-development precedes team formation.
Arthur C. Clarke wrote: “The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.” There is so much yet to be discovered in each of us on our magnificent journey – gifts, treasures, dreams and possibilities that can change the world. We have only to reach, to see, to grow, to give and to gather beyond ourselves to find them, and more… so much more. It is in your hands, in each choice and in each decision. Life is so very good.
Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!
Leadership is often defined as some variation of “getting work done through others.” Too often work is the operative word. As you point out, the emphasis should be on others. To great leaders, people are an ends, not just a means to an end. These leaders don’t just want people to do something; they want to them to be something. Thanks Mike.
Jack,
Hello on this beautiful day, my very dear friend. Thank you for your continuing insights and inspiration. I hope all is well, and you are your family are safe and healthy. Miss you. Please take care.
Have a beautiful day, a magnificent week and a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Mike
This was a jewel…thank you Mike.
Cassandra,
Hello on this beautiful day, my dear friend. I am happy that you enjoyed the note. I hope all is well with you and yours. Please take care.
Have a beautiful day, a magnificent week and a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Michael
Awesome! Greatly appreciate this post and the concept of “beyond yourself!”
Linda,
Hello on this beautiful day, my dear friend. I am happy that you enjoyed the note. I hope all is well with you and yours. Please take care.
Have a beautiful day, a magnificent week and a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Michael
What is the core meaning of going beyond yourself?
Monica,
Hello on this beautiful day, my dear friend. I hope all is well. Thank you for the great question.
I see ‘going beyond yourself’ as transcending personal limitations, boundaries, or comfort zones. It suggests moving past one’s individual or ego-driven perspectives and capacities to achieve something greater or more significant. We all have our own beautiful world view reflecting our life’s experiences in all their depth. Yet, there is something more, our step beyond what we know, something that further broadens and enriches our world view.
Again, thank you. May you and yours have a joyous and Happy Thanksgiving.
Have a beautiful and wondrous day!!!
Michael