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« Newswire: October 28, 2008 Learning from Success and Failure | Leading Blog Main Page | Leadership Books: November 2008 » 10.29.08
Richard Branson on SuccessWhen we place too high a value on achievement and fulfillment, we often overlook the important parts of life like character, relationships and service. Richard Branson made a profound statement on success in his book, Business Stripped Bare. The last sentence may take a few reads for its implications to soak in.Successful people aren’t in possession of secrets known only to themselves. Don’t obsess over people who appear to you to be “winners”, but listen instead to the wisdom of people who’ve led enriching lives—people, for instance, who’ve found time for friends and family. Be generous in your interpretation of what success looks like. The best and most meaningful lives don’t always end happily.
Posted by Michael McKinney at 01:11 PM
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Comments
Richard Branson is an extraordinary leader, one who is always challenging conventions in business and life.
He recently attempted to set the transatlantic crossing record in a sailboat but failed. During the trip he shared the experience using social media tools like Twitter, his blog and YouTube. http://tinyurl.com/6lmfm7 After the trip he took questions via Twitter and his blog and I was fortunate to have 2 of mine answered via audio comment on his blog. http://tinyurl.com/6owohm All of Sir Richard's answers are worth a listen.
Thanks for this post. I enjoy your blog. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Peter A. Mello, Weekly Leader | October 29, 2008 08:37 PM
Life is meant to be lively. Success is important only to the extent that it may contribute in making it lively. There is no point in missing the important in the mess of trivials. I liked the last line very much. Thanks for putting it so nicely.
Posted by: sambit | October 30, 2008 11:42 AM
I feel like my poem is even more apropos here as well.
Leaders define success
Success manages failure
Failure is merely a result
Actions lead to results
As a society, we have to stop trying to define success in terms of money or power. Real success is any parent who raises a child who becomes a productive member of society. Conversely, a successful society is one that is conducive to that result. Who wants to be a billionaire and live in war torn Somalia. Mother Theresa sought only to care for the Poor. Dr. King sought only to live in a better America. Chase the success of a personal life filled with great stories, good friends, and strengthened family ties. Yes, there will be sad stories as well.
Posted by: Matthew Laos | November 1, 2008 03:18 AM
While I agree with Richard Branson's sentiments, I wonder if he had those values on the way up or whether he has acquired them since arriving?
Posted by: Simon Cooper | November 2, 2008 03:59 AM
I think Branson has got it right. Two of the lessons featured in my recent book Leadership From Below http://www.leadershipfrombelow.com talk about fact that leadership touches life in too important ways to be ignored:
Lesson # 10: Decide where you need to be, and spend time in the locations that matter the most to you.
Lesson # 11: Keep a healthy work-life balance.
Leadership From Below explains how the workplace is being changed by ideas from Asia, Scandinavia, and the socially-networked Internet.
Posted by: Trond Arne Undheim, Ph.D. | November 3, 2008 08:04 AM