Greater Than Yourself
The Ultimate Lesson of True Leadership

Greater Than Yourself (GTY) is NOT any ordinary leadership book. Unlike many of the books I review, and quickly discard, this book is special.

The author, Steve Farber, has taken the concept of The Golden Rule and effectively enhanced it for the benefit of everyone involved.

The challenge of Greater Than Yourself is NOT to become the best leader you can be. No, that will come as the result of giving the most of yourself to someone who you feel compelled to lift up, support, encourage, teach, coach and mentor.

This book is told as an inspiring parable. Farber is a highly effective story teller and he does a fantastic job of keeping his readers glued to every chapter. He wraps thought-provoking ideas into actionable principles of genuine leadership.

Greater Than Yourself: The Ultimate Lesson of True Leadership is built on three solid principles:

1. Expand Yourself - create a deep understanding of who you are and what you stand for in order to pass along those strong qualities to others.
2. Give Yourself - give yourself the gift of philanthropy. You will become better for it and make a meaningful impact in the lives of many. By giving regularly, you will be amazed at how much more you receive in countless ways.
3. Replicate Yourself - as you practice the art of paying it forward, you also will become more confident in demanding that others give of themselves also. As you challenge others to give of themselves, you are in effect giving them a gift they won’t recognize until later down the road, but then they’ll be eternally grateful for your leadership.

The author is the first to admit that the process of GTY can feel awkward at first, even counter-intuitive.

Most of us are taught early on to compete hard and to work hard to maintain a competitive advantage over anyone who might someday threaten our position.

Farber maintains that while giving of yourself may feel strange because of how we tend to be conditioned, giving is actually a human need and the perceived risks of giving are myths.

Helping our fellow man, coaching our subordinates, sharing our best practices with peers – all of these actions make us better, stronger – not weaker.

Leaders who have a loyal following are those who instinctually work alongside their team members, holding their hands and showing them the way to success.

GTY leaders are often heard saying things like:

• “Here, let me show you how – watch me.”
• “Now, you try this and let me observe your approach, then we can discuss how it felt and how you might fine-tune it next time.”
• “Excellent job! You did that perfectly. I’m impressed!”

The Greater Than Yourself approach truly has the power to change the world. I encourage my readers to take the first step and read this book today. You’ll be glad you did.

By the way, there is also a powerful foreward written by Patrick Lencioni and Matthew Kelly, very inspiring!

Author Bio:

Steve Farber is the president of Extreme Leadership. He is a leadership consultant and speaker, and is the author of the national bestseller The Radical Leap, and The Radical Edge. He lives in San Diego, California.

For more information on this book and the author, visit http://www.greaterthanyourself.com.

More Books on Leadership

» Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Made to Stick, with added material is a new release Chip Heath and Dan Heath. This updated version is now said to be “extra sticky”.

» Strategic Acceleration: Success at the Speed of Life
Strategic Acceleration is authored by Tony Jeary. From the beginning of the book to the very end, Jeary provides real hope and instruction for the aspiring leader.

» Work Like You're Showing Off - The Joy, Jazz, And Kick Of Being Better Tomorrow Than You Were Today
Work Like You Are Showing Off - is a great book by Joe Calloway, who pulls no punches as he shares the key factors for creating success.