Self before Others

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What!!! "Self before Others"? What selfish person I am?

Actually, in a lot of situation, we must first think about ourselves, before we can think about others. Board a plane lately? Remember the safety presentation the cabin crew does? Always put the oxygen mask on you before helping others. Self before others.

How can you take care of the sick and poor, if you are sick and poor? Self before Others.

How can you develop and coach others, if you are not coached and developed? Self before Others

There are many bosses, managers, and supervisors I have met, who are adept and skillful in 
  • telling rather than showing
  • instructing rather than developing
  • speaking rather than listening
  • demand rather than earn
  • you get the picture....
I believe they lack the necessary knowledge, skills and most importantly proper mindset to be a leader.

Let's take one simple example. Reading. Look at your boss. Does he/she read a lot. If yes, Excellent. If not, you can tell, they are probably at that post for quite awhile and probably does not have much future.

I am also not saying that, just because you read a book, career progression comes naturally.

Self before Others is not about being selfish. It is about, when you care enough about someone, or something, you give them your very best. If you are not your best, and you have not invested the time, effort and money to be the best, what are you giving away?

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