Should we be Driven by Personal or Organizational Success?
by Joe on September 26, 2011
Lately I’ve been merging my drive for personal success with the success of my organization. If I’m honest, it hasn’t been working. It is wrong of me to align the two – because when I do, I find myself frustrated. But if I can be focused on the success of the organization and her ability to achieve her goals, when we achieve them, I can be certain the personal success will follow. So its about time to think about how we can recognize it and be more intentional about combating.
So after thinking about this all week, I wondered what questions will help me determine if my drive is healthy. Thankfully, Michael Hyatt posted two questions that leaders should ask to determine what is driving them:
1. Am I using my strengths for the good of the project or the organization, or am I mainly seeking affirmation from outside sources like my boss or peers?
2. What is my true motivation for working on this project? Is it for the sake of others and the bigger picture or just to elevate my own status?
Now, I’m off to act on them. My goal is to spend the day for the sake of others and the bigger picture. Tomorrow, I’ll wake up and try again. It’ll take training, but the great thing is that we can choose to be teachable.
Today, I’m choosing to be taught. What about you? How would you answer these questions?
I am a student of process, but not process outcomes. Operations, accounting and IT are the circles where I enjoy focusing on processesand the people that drive them. So if that's what gets you excited too, lets connect:
4 comments
It must be hard to expect that the success of organization will be aligned to personal success. I am not really good in working for organization but it seems nice to work if the leader is determined and open to listen to their subordinates. It seems nice that Michael Hyatt made two question to leaders to know what is driving them. Good luck with working your goal.
Stephan Hilson´s last blog post ..Loi Châtel et résiliation de téléphonie mobile
by Stephan Hilson on October 3, 2011 at 8:20 am. #
Stephan, its important to note that I am not saying the Organization works for your personal success. Rather that by you working for the success of the organization, you will achieve personal success. Its much as Patrick Lencioni notes in The Five Temptations of a CEO, a temptation is that “you may be more interested in protecting your career status than you are in making sure your company achieves results.”
by Joe on October 3, 2011 at 4:38 pm. #
Hi Joe! Very good post.
If you haven’t already, I’d love to recommend you check out Simon Sinek’s short, daily newsletter called “Notes to Inspire” in which he shares something inspirational about leadership, motivation, etc. Head over to http://startwithwhy.com
Daniel Johnson, Jr.´s last blog post ..I’m ready to switch to Mac… almost.
by Daniel Johnson, Jr. on October 4, 2011 at 11:47 am. #
Thanks, Daniel! I’ve signed up. Looks like an awesome newsletter!
by Joe on October 4, 2011 at 5:04 pm. #