Why I am one of the most selfish people you will ever meet…

Jake Dixon, Founder & CEO of The Locker Room

Generally, when we think about the word “Selfish”, it carries a negative connotation and rightfully so. However, what if being selfish can also serve others in a positive and uplifting way?

What do I mean? How is being selfish in any way possibly a good thing?

I’m so glad you asked; let me share with you where I am coming from. As a coach and owner of a coaching company, I have learned over the years what it means to be a servant driven leader. It is not always easy separating what is best for you compared to what is best for others and the entire organization. So many selfless decisions must be made. In fact, it is quite common to say things like “leadership can be lonely” and you are even told in books to adhere to things like “Leaders Eat Last.”

Here’s the thing, I agree with all of this!  Over the past 10+ years of my leadership journey, I have had to transition from worrying about what is in it for me, to focusing on how it benefits everyone else. It is a matter of being intentional in order to go from success to then focusing on significance. It involves placing the priority on impact and how you can serve the masses instead of just yourself. After all, doesn’t Zig Ziglar say it best when he said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

So again, how in the world is being selfish a good thing and what makes me one of the most selfish people you will meet?  Here’s how:

I am unapologetically passionate about celebrating in the success of others. Nothing is more fulfilling to me (not even money!) than knowing a real life was impacted by something I personally said or did for someone else. I am obsessed with being a part of someone’s success story. I want to be mentioned in as many people’s stories as possible! This is likely what makes me one of the most selfish people you will ever meet. I want to helps others succeed and reach their personal greatness so bad, so I can have the fulfillment knowing I am going to be a part of their story someday. I want to know I actually changed a life, perhaps, even a legacy with the work that I do. Personal growth is an inside out project and as a coach, one of the greatest gifts we can give another person is asking a powerful question.

This question allows them to self-discover what they have always known. It allows them to uncover what has always been there, deep down inside. Too many friends, relatives, co-workers, and acquaintances never put a friend in a situation to provide real candor or ask the questions that need to be asked. They run away from the awkward moment thinking if they speak up, it would be labeled as confrontational. Sometimes it takes a coach who is not emotionally attached to the outcome to take a stance for that person’s greatness by asking or saying the very thing that no one else was willing to.

So, as one of the most selfish people you’ll ever know – I wear that badge of honor with pride. I want to place myself in the path of others to make a significant impact that leads to a real transformation. And maybe, just maybe, when they look back on their life and share their journey with others – a little old friend by the name of Jake Dixon will be mentioned for a brief second.