“You’re so concerned with squabbling for the scraps from Longshank’s table, that you’ve missed your God-given right to something better. There’s a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it.” -William Wallace (Braveheart)
Stop
Stop! Just stop already, will you?
Stop whining about what is or is not fair. Stop plotting how to achieve the next promotion or avoid losing out to a colleague. Stop worrying about ulterior motives. Stop thinking, “I deserve this” or “I deserve that”. Stop looking at others with envy and thinking, “why not me?” Stop wondering if you can win the next corner office or coveted parking space.
Just stop it already, will you?
Scraps or Steak?
Stop squabbling for the scraps. For that is all they are. A few points on your professional record, a shiny new title or a bigger window. A few less steps from your car to the door. Sraps – all of the them.
Scraps that is, compared to what you could achieve if you focused on the larger goal. Scraps compared to what a team can achieve together rather than in competition. Scraps compared to the big fat juicy steak that sits on the table for those willing to look up from the grime of the floor called self-interest and onto the table of servant leadership.
What is that steak? It’s your organization’s goals. It’s the vision you dreamed of when you joined. It’s the passion you lost when you stopped looking past yourself and focused on selfish goals instead. It is what you could make of your organization and is far greater scraps.
Lift your head higher. Grab a seat at the table and feast. Serve as you lead.
Question: What scrap will you no longer waste your time squabbling over?
