77.
Make a Dent in the Universe
I’m up earlier than usual as I write this chapter. Listened to some beautiful music that is part chillout and
part Indian. I wrote in my journal a bit. Wrote about how much I love my children. Wrote about where my
life’s at. Wrote about where I want to take it. And I wrote about my hunger to have an impact. Leadership –
as a human being – is about having an impact. Making a difference. Leaving things better than you found
them.
When I met Shimon Peres, I asked him what he believed the purpose of life to be. He replied
without hesitation: “To find a cause that’s larger than yourself and then to give your life to it.” What would
this world of ours look like if each of us had found our cause or life’s purpose and were then passionately
pursuing it? There would be less hatred, fewer wars and more love. And we’d be united as one race. As
Coretta Scott King said: “When you are willing to make sacrifices for a great cause, you will never be
alone.”
Apple CEO Steve Jobs used to tell his people that by showing up at their best they would have the
opportunity to “make a dent in the universe.” Jobs definitely gets it. Sure it’s important to make a profit in
business. Sure you want your enterprise to be operationally excellent. Sure you want high – quality
products and services. And sure you need to keep innovating and growing your brand. But isn’t having an
impact in the world – by helping your clients and positively influencing others – what business is ultimately
about?
Isn’t having an impact in the world – by helping
Your clients and positively influencing others – what
Business is ultimately about?
So a gentle question from a man who wishes only the best for you: “What dent will you make
today?” What cause will you pursue? What contribution will you make – at work, at home – in life?