I hope you don't have to be an ass to be a success

I should rephrase that. I'm commonly the one who's "the asshole" in my business, however it's more for being the one who doesn't dance around fragile egos, and incompetents . A weakness of mine, for sure.

Tom sent me this Forbes article and it really hit home. Some of it.

This quote really hit home, Tom even included it in his email to me.

From James Sorenson, the largest shareholder in Abbott Laboratories.

From there it sort of degenerated I have to admit. I have great respect for anyone who can "Make it" as it were, but I worry that "making" it leads more often than not to becoming an ass hat ego maniac.  Clearly some are better able to resist basking in their own shadow, but many, at least of those Forbe's spoke to, weren't

When asked about their favorite book, many said it was either a book they had written or whichever book they were writing. Really? You see yourself as that good of a writer? No one else has anything to say or write, worth hearing or reading? I've read plenty of business books and most are so full of shit it's sad. Most are simply vessels for ego stroking "I'm successful because I'm great and this is how I did it." shit like that, that is useless as far as actually teaching anything.

When asked who'd they like to sit down for a drink with, many said themselves. Really? You're so into yourself that there's no one you'd like to sit and talk with? Not the Dali Lhama? Not a great writer? Not another business person who's been successful? No many said they'd like to sit and talk to themselves, no one else is worthy or your time and or attention?

I have to say, knowing that, I'm in no way inclined to ever WANT to talk to some of these men. I don't believe you have to act like that to be successful, I don't believe that success makes you the center of any universe. Know now how these people feel, I don't feel that they have anything to tell me that will help me in my business. That's sad.