Are You Making Your Unique Contribution?

"This question is vital - and often unsettling. It has several aspects.

Most importantly, are you making a unique contribution, serving better than anyone else?

When you ask individuals if they, or their company, or their team can serve better than anyone else, more than a few become noticeably uncomfortable. Some are concerned that they cannot meet such a standard. Others regard it immodest to make such a claim.

It's only immodest if you're thinking of it from an inside-out, rather than outside-in. The ultimate answer to the question will not come from you, but who you are serving - to demand the best available service.

This is not to be confused with regarding yourself 'indispensable.' Charles de Gaulle sardonically observed, 'The cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.' To think of yourself in this way would be a symptom of pride, entitlement - the antithesis of service.

It is about making a unique contribution. If you don't believe with all your heart and mind that you can serve better than anyone else, you need to take a hard look at how you can best serve. It's time to update and revise your priorities (p. 87-88)."

From: Strock, J. (2019).  Serve to lead 2.0: 21^st century leaders manual.  Serve to Lead Grouphttps://servetolead.org