Becoming successful, however you define it for yourself, is great but don’t get lulled into thinking there’s only one path.
Avoid putting people whose success you admire, on a pedestal. Lousy leaders can be very successful, but there’s a toll and someone, usually someone innocent, must pay.
Results are important — how you achieve them are more important.
Become discerning. Stop considering people who lie or swindle, to be great negotiators. The fact that they had to lie and swindle proves that they are not. The fact that someone has acquired riches is not sufficient cause to emulate them if their achievement occurs by dishonorable means. Devoting valuable time to learn their darker skills may cause you more harm than it’s worth.
We are imperfect beings prone to shade the truth, lookout for self interests, and make questionable decisions from time to time. We’re human, and mistakes in judgement happen. I’m talking about the habitual behaviors some engage in to create their “success” whether it be amassing fame, fortune, or power. You can achieve these things without being a dick.
Great leaders care about people AND results. Lousy leaders care only about one of those.
Good faith negotiators know the tricks lousy deal makers try to pull, and easily thwart them. Those who are wealthy in their heart first, make a greater positive impact on others, while those who rely on their wealth often create more of it for themselves on the backs of people. Lousy leaders are consumed with self-serving power plays, while better leaders are compelled to help others become more powerful.
Reinforce your moral code, particularly when times are hard, choices difficult, or the temptation for the “easy way” too great. Resist the urge to feed the ego of lousy leaders by cooing over their so-called success. Yes, these douchebags can be charismatic and exciting, but they don’t need to be enriched with your devotion. Instead, starve them from lack of attention and invest in those with stronger character and kind hearts. Invest in yourself. Your success matters.
Also published on Medium.