Quality 15: Selfless

Guest Blogger: Lora Roth

Favorite Quote: “We’re here on earth to do good for others. What the others are here for, I don’t know.” Poet W.H. Auden

There is no I in Team
By our nature, most educators are not self-aggrandizing horn blowers. We are genuinely in this profession to help others and can thrive on little recognition. However, in any team setting there is often an underlying current of competitiveness that interferes with attaining true selflessness.
Maxwell uses the story of World War II POW officer Philip Toosey to bring to light the power that one person’s choices can have on the welfare of the group. Toosey persistently advocated for his troops even when his efforts regularly brought about increased personal suffering. His whatever-it-takes attitude ensured the survival of numerous Allied prisoners.
While it is admirable to be humble, selflessness only benefits the group when you can reach beyond and promote others with no regard for your own status. “No team succeeds unless its players put others on the team ahead of themselves. Being selfless isn’t easy, but it is necessary.”

To “cultivate” your selflessness:
1. Be Generous- success can easily be achieved if all members give generously with their time and gifts.
2. Avoid Internal Politics- value relationships within the team with no regard for personal gain.
3. Display Loyalty- not only when things are going well, but especially when times look bleak. “Loyalty fosters unity, and unity breeds team success.”
4. Value Interdependence over Independence- remember Menlo Park? Two heads usually are better than one.

To be more selfless today…
· Promote someone other than yourself- actively seek opportunities to give genuine accolades about another team member to supervisors or family members.
· Take a subordinate role- try for a day to consciously serve others and let them go first
· Give secretly- donate something anonymously without seeking any acknowledgement