Making a significant impact on the world must necessarily involve others. Not to mention the critical importance of intention alignment for any sustainable and effective working relationship.
I was listening to someone on the train talk passionately about changing the world and making a difference recently.
Admirable; until I realised that what they were really excited about was more self-aggrandising than world-serving. The monologue was mainly around how they will look, the recognition they will receive, and the accolade from their peers.
There's nothing wrong with self-aggrandizement if that is what rocks this person's yacht. Not being clear about their intention (or not being aware of it even) is potentially problematic. It could lead to mismatched goals, misaligned values and challenging relationships as this person inevitably starts to work with others.
Other often unnamed intentions behind wanting to change the world could be:
- Unhealthy selflessness; whereby doing something all consuming for others means I don't have to face myself or my demons.
- Making money. It's perfectly ok to say "I'm doing it to make lots of money" If that it's the true intention.
