LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT ME

"I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well."

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American naturalist/poet/philosopher

It's not the talking so much as it is not really knowing, more so when the subject is you.

I'M SO INTO ME

"When a man is wrapped up in himself he makes a pretty small package."

John Ruskin (1819-1900) English art critic

Very true.

Self-confidence is a desirable trait, quite different from conceit.

The former, mandatory for success, the latter, often confirmation of the opposite.

THE BURDEN OF ASSUMED INFALLIBILITY

"From a worldly point of view, there is no mistake so great as that of being always right."

Samuel Butler

17th century British poet and satirist

Mr. Butler and I may be on the same page for this but just in case . . .

The bigger mistake would be assuming you are always right.

You're not.

GENERATIONAL ARROGANCE

"The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion."

Albert Einstein

20th century German-Swiss-U.S. scientist

The next time you feel your generation is unique, consider what Mr. Einstein might have said about that.

THE IMPORTANCE OF US ALL

"I am a part of all that I have met."

Lord Alfred Tennyson

19th century British poet

There is much compartmentalization in business and all too often a belief by some that their "compartment" is more important than that of the next person.

It's not, there is value in us all.

If our business turns out to be a "house of cards" it is on all not some of us.

You Wanna Know Something?

"He who knows little, quickly tells it."

Italian proverb

Having knowledge you don't use is of no value.

And only telling others what you know is not, by itself, action that will lead to positive results.

Are You Your Greatest Admirer?

"He who is in love with himself has at least this advantage, he won't encounter many rivals."

Georg C. Lichtenberg

18th century German scientist

In business, as in life in general, there is a very fine line between confidence and self-aggrandizement.

Too little of the former, too much of the latter, either way . . . you lose.

Be careful not to cross over.

It's Not My Fault I Have No Faults

"Our own self-love draws a thick veil between us and our faults."

Lord Chesterfield

18th century British statesman

Don't think this applies to you?

Take 60 seconds to list all the positive things about you.

Now take the next 60 seconds to list your faults.

If the first list is twice as long or longer than the second, you might want to rethink both lists.

How Much Are You Worth?

"He who does not think much of himself is much more esteemed than he imagines."

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

18th century German poet

Some of the world's most successful business leaders are also egotists beyond anything the rest of us ever imagined.

Does success create that or are some of us naturally born to like ourselves more than will most?

Does not "thinking much of ourselves" necessarily imply we depreciate our worth?

Self-Assured or Self-Centered Management?

"Too many people over value what they are not and under value what they are."

Malcolm S. Forbes

True, unless you are extremely self-confident (maybe too much so.)

Which are you?