Thoughts - 2008

21st Century Skill Highlight 5

Giving Skills - Listen to the Thought Pod

"As you value the lives of others, yours achieves value."
 -Bernard Malamud as quoted in Breakthrough Business Development by MacPherson & Miller (Wiley 2007)

I often work with a Leader who is concerned about how he/she appears when speaking in front of a group. To get the individual started on the right strategic path, I offer this base advice - "It's not about you, it's all about them."

I remember when these words were shared with me. They helped me focus on the most important thing as a facilitator - others. My time in front of others was not, and is not, about how I look or about what they think of me. It's about what they need from me - the process I lead them through. It's about what I have to give them through the respective process.

Part of your authentic growth is helping others grow authentically.

Part of our own authentic growth is realized when we learn to consciously focus on the needs of others. Helping others grow authentically can be an imposing role to assume when you aren't giving yourself the same respect. If you want to do some thing for others, you must be able to do this thing for yourself.

Effective giving, to both individuals and to the community, is most congruent when cross referenced with your Brand.

As I think back, I can correlate a conscious effort to build a personal brand with a more focused effort of giving - giving of my time and energy in the community. Our giving is most effective when we are present with our authenticity. When you operate from your strengths and allow your values to guide you, your giving is pure and you are most likely to make the desired impact.

Some timeless advice that can serve us personally, professionally, and globally: Leave things better than you found them.