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Selfless or Self Centered?
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Welcome to Light on Leadership! In under two minutes, our newsletter delivers one book recommendation, one leadership action step, and two leadership tips. We know you're busy, so we've designed this content to be both useful and shareable. Enjoy!
In The Leap to Leader: How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership, Adam Bryant introduces a compelling and unique question: Are we selfless or self centered? It is a question that forces us to consider something deeper. Do we use the people around us to advance our own success, or do we intentionally invest in the growth and well being of those we lead?
At first glance, the statement “Great leaders are selfish” feels wrong. But is it? The kind of selfishness we are talking about is not ego driven or self promoting. It is rooted in intrinsic motivation, the internal drive that sustains us long after applause fades and titles change. Extrinsic rewards may create short term bursts of energy, but only intrinsic purpose fuels long term impact.
Great leaders must be selfish enough to be deeply motivated by helping others succeed. They are selfish enough to lean into difficult conversations, to shoulder responsibility when others step back, and to remain steady when challenges arise. They are also selfish enough to protect their health, mindset, and integrity, because they understand that you cannot effectively invest in others if you are not first taking care of yourself. The most impactful leaders are, in many ways, selfishly selfless. They prioritize their own growth and well being not for personal gain, but so they can continue to serve, invest in, and believe in others at a high level.
As you reflect this week, ask yourself: What truly motivates me? Is my leadership centered on personal advancement, or on the long term success of those around me? When our selfishness is anchored in purpose and service, it becomes one of the most powerful forces for good in our organizations.
👉 Quick Action Step:
Take one intentional step this week to care for yourself. When you take care of yourself, you have more to give to others.
Book Recommendation:
The Leap to Leader: How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership.
By Adam Bryant
Purchase this book! https://us.amazon.com/Leap-Leader-Ambitious-Managers-Leadership/dp/B0CRTMJTPV
Two Tips
This week we talked about being selfish in the right way. Serving others does not mean neglecting yourself. This short clip reminds us that self care is not selfish. When we take care of ourselves, we are better prepared to lead and invest in others.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
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