Dear John,

What is Selflessness?

Growing up we had a family tradition about food leftovers. If there was food leftover and more than one person wanted it, one person would cut it in two, and the other got to pick which piece they took.

On one occasion Dad and I were both eyeing the extra piece of steak. I wanted that piece of tasty steak but not as much as I wanted to find out what Dad would do. We had spent a great day together and I was beginning to understand that relationships were built on more than just fun.

He asked if I wanted to split the steak and when I said yes he gave me the knife to cut it. Instead of splitting it as close to 50/50 as I could I intentionally split it 65/35. The look on Dad’s face was priceless - never before had such an obvious error occurred! Dad reached over and grabbed the smaller piece. Before he could bite it, I said “Dad, I want you to have the big piece.’’ Without a doubt that was the best piece of steak either of us have ever had.

How are you “splitting the steak” with your people? People know a tasty steak when they see one and Top Performers seek out Coach Leaders because they both know what really makes steak satisfying.

Selflessness is not a myth - it is the sauce that makes the steak!

You are a Coach Leader!

Tom

P.s. If you are looking for our newest items and our best collections (at a great discount), you can find them here!

P.p.s. You can find more stories like splitting the steak in my book 10 Leadership Virtues For Disruptive Times. Get the book right here.