The rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve Meaning Factcheck Usage

Context

In the book, this idea isn’t presented as a soft, feel-good notion. It’s positioned as a core principle of human relations, a practical strategy for anyone looking to lead, sell, or collaborate more effectively. It’s the antidote to the me-first approach that so many people default to.

Usage Examples

Think about this in real terms. For a team leader, it means asking “What’s blocking you?” instead of “Why isn’t this done?”. For an entrepreneur, it’s spending a discovery call purely understanding a client’s pain points, not pitching. For anyone in a relationship, it’s actively listening to understand, not just to reply. The audience is literally anyone who interacts with other human beings.

Common Questions

Question: Doesn’t “unselfishly” mean I should work for free?

Answer: Not at all. It’s about your primary *intent* in the interaction. You can have a profitable business while genuinely wanting to solve your customer’s problems. The service and value come first; the reward follows.

Question: How is this an “advantage” if I’m always serving others?

Answer: Because it makes people *want* to work with you, help you, and refer you. You become a gravitational center for opportunity. You build social capital that is far more valuable than a short-term win.

Question: How do I apply this without being taken advantage of?

Answer: You set boundaries. Being of service doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means being strategic and generous with your expertise and help, focused on mutual benefit over the long term.