“The Power of Leadership”

Today’s ‘Thought’ comes from a discussion I’ve seen reprinted several places, so forgive me if you’ve read this before, but I think it’s brilliant and worthy of regular re-reads as needed…

The now famous “Chicken Soup for the Soul” co-author Jack Canfield had the good fortune to begin his professional career working for the great W. Clement Stone.  Mr. Stone was a self-made millionaire, worth about $600MM in the 1960’s, and was America’s top success guru of that era and founder of many of the resources still in use today, like Success Magazine.   Below is Jack’s memory of an important discussion with Mr. Stone:

When I was completing my first week’s orientation, Mr. Stone asked me if I took 100% responsibility for my life.  “I think so,” I responded.

“This is a yes or no question, young man.  You either do or you don’t.”

“Well, I guess I’m not sure.”

“Have you ever blamed anyone for any circumstance in your life?  Have you ever complained about anything?”

“Um… yeah… I guess I have.”

“Don’t guess.  Think.”

“Yes, I have.”

“Ok then.  That means you don’t take 100% responsibility for your life.  Taking 100% responsibility means you acknowledge that you create everything that happens to you.  It means that you understand that you are the cause of all of your experience.  If you want to be truly successful, and I know you do, then you will have to have to give up blaming and complaining and take total responsibility for your life – that means all your results, your successes and your failures.  This is prerequisite for creating a life of success… you see, Jack, if you realize that you have created your current conditions, then you can uncreate them and recreate them at will.  Do you understand that?  Are you willing to take 100% responsibility for your life?”

“Yes, sir, I am!”

“And I did,” adds Canfield.

“All I want to do is change the world.” – W. Clement Stone

Take 100% responsibility today!

Shawn
Performance Institute – A Global Leader in Human Capital and Business Development

Russ M. Miller, LLIF – Chairman and CEO

Sunny Hong Zhang – Managing Partner – China

Shawn M. Miller – Managing Partner – USA

P.S.  Your thoughts on our Thoughts are valuable to us and other readers; please post your comments in the Reply box…