The Big Picture

William B. Given Jr. meant when he observed, “Whenever you are too selfishly looking out for your own interest, you have only one person working for you—yourself. When you help a dozen other people with their problems, you have a dozen people working with you.”

Accepting leadership responsibilities for the first time exposes an individual’s level of maturity and sense of responsibility. Irresponsible leaders have a “me first” attitude and use their position for personal benefit. Responsible leaders have an “others first” attitude and use their position for serving people, taking responsibility, being an example, giving others credit, and mending relationships. Good leaders understand that for the team to succeed, they must put others first.

An egotist can be described not as a person who thinks too much of himself, but as someone who thinks too little of other people.

Antislavery reformer Henry Ward Beecher said, “No man is more cheated than the selfish man.” That is true because he separates himself from what’s most important in life: people.

If you want to live a fulfilling life, you need healthy relationships. And to build those kinds of relationships, you need to get over yourself. Embrace the Big Picture Principle and remind yourself that the entire population of the world—with one minor exception—is composed of others.

John C. Maxwell, Winning with People: Discover the People Principles That Work for You Every Time (Nashville, TN: HarperCollins Leadership, 2007).

Check out the Society of Mentors. This is a meeting of mentors who desire to personally grow while continually impacting others with reaching the world with the gospel.