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“Success always calls for greater generosity…”

Cyrus the Great is quoted as having said, “Success always calls for greater generosity – though most people, lost in the darkness of their own egos, treat it as an occasion for greater greed.” Before we move on, let me give you some context about Cyrus (you can also click on the link above). He was the founder of the first Persian empire and was known not only for his rule, but also for his respect for the customs and peoples of conquered regions. He’s a fascinating historical figure, especially in an age known for “might makes right” mentality.

I came across quote this in a note I made to myself several months ago. It struck me then because I was thinking about what defines success. The measuring stick of success is different for each of us, if we are willing to allow the difference. However, we often get caught up in the wheel of success being glory, fame, money, etc.

In business, how do you define success? You need to generate revenue, of course. No revenue means you cease to exist. But past that lies the real crux of the issue, since there are lots of ways to generate revenue, and not all of them equate success. For example, say you are running a tight operation that generates revenue but yields a stressful and disappointing working environment for your employees – and you have high turnover as a result. Is this still success?

For Cyrus the Great, success wasn’t just conquering! This is what I find really fascinating about him – it wasn’t enough to just strongarm a new territory. He measured success by the experience of the people therein and their allegiance to his rule. He gained loyalty by his respect of persons – a much more powerful approach than that of ruling by fear.

The dictionary defines success as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” What I love about this is that it pushes us back to determine this for ourselves rather than falling into the trap of what everyone else tells us success should be. For myself, success is having a positive impact on the people around me that encourages, exhorts, and supports them in attaining their potential.

Returning to our quote, and to Cyrus, consider the concept that success requires me to give more, not take more. Finding myself successful gives me an opportunity to give away what I have so I can keep pressing on towards that same goal of positive impact. It also brings me into a very real space of asking myself if, when faced with success, I veer towards generosity or greed. This illuminates my motives, which I need illuminated. I believe that this is the only way, as humans, we are able to be humbled by our successes rather than be made arrogant by them. Success in whatever form is a heady thing, and we need to have ourselves in check to be able to keep growing in our own purpose rather than get caught in the trap of thinking we have done enough and have the right to take what does not belong to us.

Your activity: Set the clock for 5 minutes. Answer these questions honestly. How might you use the answers to find yourself meeting success with greater generosity rather than what we are all predisposed to (greater greed)?

  • How do you know you have been or are successful? What’s your metric?
  • Think of the last moment of success you experienced. What was your immediate response?
  • How does success allow you room for generosity?
  • How does fear interact with your concept of success?