Whenever we have thanked these men and women for what they have done for us, without exception they have expressed gratitude for having the chance to help - because they grew as they served.
Interpretation
True leaders find fulfillment in serving others and grow through their contributions.
This quote by Clayton Christensen highlights the reciprocal nature of gratitude in service. When we express appreciation towards those who assist us, they often feel grateful not just for the recognition but for the opportunity to serve, reinforcing the idea that personal growth often comes through helping others.
In practice
In a commencement speech, one might use this quote to inspire graduates to value service.
You can talk all you want about having a clear purpose and strategy for your life, but ultimately this means nothing if you are not investing the resources you have in a way that is consistent with your strategy. In the end, a strategy is nothing but good intentions unless it's effectively implemented.
...it's easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time.
Disruptive innovations create jobs, efficiency innovations destroy them.
Focus is scary—until you realize that it only means turning your back on markets you could never have anyway. Sharp focus on jobs that customers are trying to get done holds the promise of greatly improving the odds of success in new-product development.
Don't worry about the level of individual prominence you have achieved; worry about the individuals you have helped become better people.
Intimate, loving, and enduring relationships with our family and close friends will be among the sources of the deepest joy in our lives.
Stress and anxiety at work have less to do with the work we do and more to do with weak management and leadership.
We treat employees as a member of the family. If management take the risk of hiring them, we have to take the responsibility for them.
To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men; and the employment of the people at the proper seasons.
My own experience is that the best outcomes are reached when opposing viewpoints are clearly and strongly presented before decisions are made.
What job is worth the enormous psychic cost of following a leader who values loyalty in the narrowest sense.
I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.
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