A Useful 2022 Resolution

On Saturday, we welcomed the new year with a list of promises and resolutions. While many leaders are well-intentioned and have purposeful goals, some will inevitably imitate Johnny Rocco from “Key Largo” in the scene above.

“More,” Rocco says. “That’s right. I want more.”

Rocco is never content. He wants it all — and is willing to harm anyone to get it.

Instead of wanting more, our greatest resolution as leaders in 2022 should be to give more. Give more guidance to those we lead. Give the gift of mentorship to someone young and aspiring. Give back to our community. And, most of all, give the gift of time to the people we love and cherish.

The notion of the "selfless leader" is not new. It can be traced back to at least Plato, who said that the good ruler must refrain from seizing power for oneself.

True leadership is never about being selfish, but about benefiting those around us. The selfless leader is the one who puts his/her needs aside to see what he can do for the team. This sets him/her apart from those simply looking out for themselves.

The selfless leader cultivates an environment in which people can grow and be successful. He/she creates opportunities that others would’ve never otherwise had.

The selfless leader is interested in the success of the whole, not merely the individual. He is willing to sacrifice for the team's sake, even if it means less recognition or more difficult tasks or assignments in the future.

In 2022 year, let’s make being selfless our No. 1 goal.

We don’t need more.

We need to better share what we already have.