To the Humble Goes the Prize

“In the final analysis, only one’s family really matters,” writes Robert Dilenschneider. The contrast here is one’s ego or wall of fame (that proverbial wall of plaques and honors many accomplished professionals have on display, either in their offices or in their homes. It’s not necessary, he says. One’s self confidence should stand on its own, pictures of you with the President notwithstanding!

HUMILITY and ACCESSIBILTY - - that’s what important, from the kid shining your shoes to the loftiest Chairman of the Board. All individuals deserve the respect and humility the power-player can extend fully. Courtesy to all and being able to LISTEN as well, no matter how powerful or influential you become.

Put another way, believing one’s own news releases can be dangerous!!!!!

Your Blogster: Believing one’s own college references can be most difficult to entering Freshman at Ivy League colleges. Their high school teachers, parents friends and associates have bent over backwards to be kind in their accolades. It’s you, the student, who now has to perform at the college level, from scratch and without help, reference letters or not!

He points out that the more powerful one becomes, the more important it is to be restrained in dealing with those surrounding you that hold extreme views and opinions. Another way of saying this is the powerful need to maintain a balance in their lives - - business and home lives in synch, avoiding extreme focus on one or the other. And, team players never let another down. Never. In doing do, it can be amazing what is RECEIVED in return.

Extending that helping hand to others, regardless of thanks or a returned favor, also sets the power player apart from peers. People rarely forget this help. Inoffensive questioning until one get to the inner core of other’s beliefs also can pay big dividends to the powerful and influential. In doing so, you give back to the organization and the institution in meaningful, essential ways.

Pro bono work (extended at no cost with no expectation of return) also separates the leader from the powerful and influential. Similarly, remembering one’s friends and, occasionally, asking them for help can be very useful to gaining and wielding power.

This network building also differentiates the powerful from the others. They maintain contacts and nurture these relationships to the betterment of both. Finally, their vigilant to opportunities around them and seize the moments, for sure, for action.