Empower every man

Robin Hood's sales pitch seems to be the one of social media's, too.

But it also entails elements of one of the greatest truths: do unto others as you yourself would like to be treated. One missionary truth is, that one shouldn't help people to helplessness but to help themselves.

A few weeks ago I read an HBR article by Clayton M. Christensen.

“Look, I’ve got your model. Just tell us what it means for Intel.” -- But instead of telling him what to think, I taught him how to think—and then he reached what I felt was the correct decision on his own.

The great change we are experiencing has two sides. It can suck you into an endless hunt of more and more to yourself. On that road you're bound to be seducted to choosing wrong, against your better judgment. Or you can get a sort of glimpse what it's all about, and choose to want to help others.

Mr. Christensen writes that according to Frederick Herzberg the powerful motivator in our lives isn’t money; it’s the opportunity to learn, grow in responsibilities, contribute to others, and be recognized for achievements.

Two of the 32 people in my Rhodes scholar class spent time in jail. Jeff Skilling of Enron fame was a classmate of mine at HBS. These were good guys—but something in their lives sent them off in the wrong direction.

That's why this great teacher takes his students to some very basic questions. They don't seem to handle managing at all, or so it seems at the first glance. But come to think of it, a Man is an entity that cannot separate his private Self from his working Self.

Or at least, the behavior is a co-creation of motives and values: that's why these questions are, in fact, the only right ones!

First, how can I be sure that I’ll be happy in my career?

Second, how can I be sure that my relationships with my spouse and my family become an enduring source of happiness?

Third, how can I be sure I’ll stay out of jail? Though the last question sounds lighthearted, it’s not.

I've loved this social media community that co-creates, shares and helps one another. Then there would seem to be the other kind, like in all life: those to whom everything is a great sales pitch on Me (Myself and I).

Someone once asked, Can humans truly act with altruistic motives? Or should even the rewarding feelings from an unselfish act be counted among selfishness. What do you think?