“When you become successful is when you should be especially wary you’re going to turn into an idiot.  There’s a lot of evidence to support that.” —Author Unknown
Success in life and business is both a blessing and a curse.  Sometimes our greatest successes are followed by failure. Perhaps we can become better leaders by ignoring our positive press clippings and remaining humble. During my athletic and business careers, I have observed some very successful athletes who have managed their egos and behaviors in positive ways. One athlete who comes to mind is Wayne Gretzky, whom I met when I was 24 years old and he was a fresh-faced rookie. Although he was one of the most highly touted athletes in Canada, to us he was just “one of the guys” and seemed completely unaware of his celebrity status.
In the recent past, I have had the pleasure and honor to meet several of my sports heroes. Trevor Hoffman and Drew Brees were cut from the same cloth. Both were raised by parents who taught them how to behave and deal effectively with those around them. Amazing success, status, and financial rewards have not changed who they are. The final person who deserves comment is the late, great Jerry Coleman. Although he was a war hero, baseball Hall of Fame member and award-winning broadcaster, he had the unique ability to make everyone he met feel special.
Instead of taking credit for their success, the CEOs I know attribute their success to other people. They don’t do this to avoid the limelight, but because they know that people are their most important assets and the foundation of a successful business.
WEEKLY WISDOM from Jerry Rollins, CEO/Chairman of Sage Executive Group