Those who successfully serve others have a work attitude that says,
- When I am here, working for you is number one.
- I plan to be here a lot and, if necessary, available the rest of the time as well.
- I am committed to extensive independent reading, discussion, issue sensitivity, and personal learning that is of value to those I coach and counsel.
- I will take the initiative to help those I coach and counsel move in useful new directions and rely far more on foresight than hindsight.
- I recognize that going even a small extra distance will be the difference between mundane and magnificent results. Extra effort, extra sensitivity, extra focus are what make the difference from the client’s perspective.
Read these five commitments carefully. If becoming a Trusted Strategic Advisor is truly important to you, then you must be willing to commit to each and every one of them. This is because the CEO has already made them get to where he or she is. You have to make them, too, if you want to operate on the inside.
*©2006-2025, James E. Lukaszewski, “Why Should the Boss Listen to You, The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor, page 25,” Josey Bass. Contact the copyright holder at jel@e911.com for information and reproduction permissions. Editing or excerpting forbidden.
