The best leaders are selfless servants who place the interests of their organization (and other people) above their own. They are ready to make personal sacrifices for the greater good. But is it really so?
To what extent can one agree with this?
Whoever agrees will be among the majority. Nevertheless, modern research provides evidence that was probably always true - happy people are the best leaders, and vice versa. In fact, in leadership they put their interests above others and are happy as a result of this. Sounds weird? Isn't good leadership a sacrifice and service to others? Not. And that's why.
When a person sacrifices, he remains with a feeling of loss. “I gave up my career to be a mother to my children,” or “I sacrificed precious family time (or more lucrative opportunities) to serve the community,” these are general statements that are heard from time to time. The bottom line here is the word “victim”. This is a rejection of something dear. Unconsciously, this failure sows the seeds of indignation in the inner world of man. In most cases, people feel entitled to have high expectations, because "they paid a high price and sacrificed something." When these expectations are not met, there is a feeling of deprived and deceived hopes.
The truth is that true leaders do not sacrifice. They make a choice. If family is the most important thing, they focus on family, not career. Unhappy people cannot make others happy, because deep inside them live regret and bitterness. Even if they don’t know, or don’t want to admit. For the same reason, unhappy people do not become good leaders.
What is happiness and how to find it?
How to balance between work, life and family? What if you want a little, but everything? The answer lies in understanding what happiness really means for every single person. Most people do not even try to reveal its true meaning and feel unrealized, not revealing their life potential. By default (wrong), happiness is understood approximately like this:
- As soon as I have a good job, I will become happy.
- As soon as I have a leading position, I will be happy.
- When I become famous, I will be happy.
- If a person appears in my life who loves me unconditionally, I will find happiness.
- When I provide for my children, I will be happy. And so on...
It seems to always depend on external factors, such as wealth, power, or someone else's affection. By virtue of this justification, people tend to put off their happiness and, in the end, are disappointed. The key to happiness is in the harmony of man with himself. It should not depend on others.
What is happiness?
Former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt confirmed this by saying: “Happiness does not lie in the mere possession of money. It lies in the pursuit of creative efforts, in the thrill of achievement. " In other words, happiness consists in clearly understanding your most important values and setting life goals based on these values.
How about a balance between work and personal life?
Those who have realized their most important values and have chosen a life goal based on them have no problems. They make choices, not sacrifice. They get their happiness from pursuing a meaningful goal, and not just from the pursuit of power, position or wealth.Ironically, some of the busiest business leaders turn out to be the best parents and spouses. Because they are essentially happy, living in harmony with their emotional values and the main goal in life. This inner happiness makes them grateful. As a result, they joyfully work even harder to become more caring, patient, and forgiving in their families.