theceomagazine.com | 61WHY I WROTE THIS ARTICLE
From the time we are born, we learn about how to live by modelling our
behaviour on those around us; we emulate their examples. In the very first
instance, we look to our primary caregivers, our parents usually, for cues
on what to do in this big and confusing world.
Happiness is a full belly and the warm, loving embrace of your parents.
Success is a relatively simple concept.
However, we grow up and new role models and ideas come into
our lives. Gradually, the happiness equation includes having a shiny
new dump truck or a packet of glitter pens. Success is being able to
ride a bike as well as your best friend can.
A couple of decades on, happiness might be about buying that
prestige car you’ve always wanted or having the latest and greatest
tech gadgets. Success is about the corner office and a big desk.
The idea of success becomes more complicated. The once-hermetic
world of childhood explodes into a kaleidoscope of people and ideas
all yelling for your attention, and all professing to know what will make
you truly happy, what will finally make you feel like you have achieved
success. But a time comes in our lives when we need to take stock –
when we ask ourselves: What makes me happy? How do I define
success? Am I being true to myself?
This is a moment of self-awareness, an awakening of the
consciousness of self. Some of us get there earlier than others;
for others, it’s a bit later; for some, it never happens.
THE STORY OF MY SUCCESS
People have always interested me. I am naturally empathetic and curious
about what makes people tick. Growing up in a Greek family, I was
inevitably surrounded by philosophers, so that probably contributed
something to my interest.
My corporate career started in banking and I knew right from the
word go that I had an affinity for the people side of things. What
motivated them, what drove them to act the way they did? Why take
this path and not that? Over two decades, I climbed the ladder of
corporate success, from suburban branch teller to private banker.
I was completely focused on my clients, regardless of their nationality,
heritage, beliefs, title, appearance, or what they stood for.
That didn’t matter. Their story mattered. I wanted to understand
their journey and see if I could make a positive difference in their lives.
And, proudly, I can say I mostly succeeded.
In 2008, I took over the business I currently own and operate,
The CEO Circle. What a time to go it alone. The world I had known was
collapsing around me. The global financial crisis shook banking and
finance to the core. It hit my new clients hard and I had many sleepless
nights thinking, ‘What the hell am I doing?’
I’ve learned much from that experience. I had access to the thoughts
and ideas of an inspiring group of people – the members of The CEO
Circle – who were navigating their companies through the GFC wreckage.
Happiness often seemed elusive during those times. Success was
measured by survival. The stress and strain of professional pressures bled
into personal lives.
WHY I WROTE
THIS BOOK
For years, I had a burning
desire to get a message
out; to write a book
and share my insights,
views and observations
around this all-important
word ‘success’.
I wanted to write
a book to make people
think; to help them put things into perspective and
focus on the most important elements of success.
What I call the eight circles of success are depicted
in each of the eight chapters of this book.
For Greater Success starts with a Greek word
that played a fundamental part in shaping my life- philotimo. The idea behind philotimo is so rich
in meaning that no word in the English language
comes close to defining it.
It can be roughly translated as ‘love of honour’, but
it means so much more. It’s a complex configuration
of the highest values and beliefs. I associate this word
most closely with my parents, poor Greek migrants who
came to Australia with nothing but the clothes on their
backs and hearts bursting with gratitude. Philotimo is a
way of life for me. It influences all that I do.
With philotimo at its heart, the book explores the
primary concepts that intersect and overlap self and
success: harmony, authenticity, resilience, connection,
discovery, happiness and legacy – all the things that go
into what I think of as Greater Success: something
bigger than the sum of its parts; something that
transcends the personal and professional; something
that enables you to live a more fulfilled life.
To live with happiness, peace, contentment and
pride, knowing your why and always staying true to
your authentic self – no-one else can do this for you.
This is yours to live. This is why I wrote this book.
Why I Wrote This Book: For Greater Success is available
from johnkaragounis.com“ For Greater Success starts with
a Greek word that played a
fundamental part in shaping
my life – philotimo.”
Lessons in leadership | INSPIRE