8
- Take time for work; it is the price of success.
- Take time to think; it is the source of power.
- Take time to play; it is the secret of youth.
- Take time to read; it is the foundation of wisdom.
- Take time to be friendly; it is the road to happiness.
- Take time to dream; it’s hitching your wagon to a star.
- Take time to love; it is the highest joy of life.
- Take time to laugh; it is the music of the soul.
Give your people the resources and support to be magnificent.
Give them permission and protection. A story about Pablo Picasso
illustrates how you can have lasting impact. When a patron asked
him what she could do to support the painter’s success, Picasso
responded, “Get out of my light.”
You are at your best when you give your associates your time,
your insights, your encouragement and enthusiasm, and then step
out of the way.
The rules for success keep changing, but success stays
centered. You succeed in having an impact by realizing that your
ideas and your knowledge aren’t enough. Serve your people’s
fundamental needs for recognition and appreciation. Relentlessly
push your team to improve. Value their performance.
Consider this: If Mozart and Paul McCartney traded places in
history, would Mozart become the greatest rock star of our time?
Would McCartney have been the greatest composer of that era?
Both had prodigious work ethics, spectacular dexterity, compelling
ambition, and the charisma to charm royal audiences as well as
common laborers. How about Jack Welch and Mother Teresa?
Both had a passionate vision, strong beliefs, a crowd of zealous
followers. Would they be as successful if they found themselves in
each other’s shoes?
The answer is “yes” for the same reason that you will succeed
in whatever industry or career you choose. The inherent qualities
that make artists great, leaders outstanding and coaches excel are
relevant and unchanging regardless of time or audience. Those
qualities are respect for your people, flexibility, communication,
So What and Who Cares!