Some people believe that you have to be selfish to get ahead. I’m here to tell you that they’re dead wrong. Here are eight myths about winning in the game of life.

Promote yourself to make a great impression. Self-promotion won’t always lead to a favorable impression. In fact, the opposite may be true. If you want to make a great impression, spend your time listening and making others feel special rather than telling them how great you are.

You have to move fast to get what you want in life. Relationships are built on trust, which takes time to develop. When people are viewed as “a bull in a china shop,” their motives are likely to be misinterpreted.

If I don’t take it first, someone else will. When someone makes a concerted effort to be fair, others often return the favor. The opposite is also true — when someone thinks only of himself or herself, it breeds suspicion and contempt.

Packaging yourself is everything. When you work smart and provide significant value, you don’t have to use gimmicks or play dirty to be recognized as a star. The best way to differentiate yourself or your organization is to be honest, caring, and hardworking.

Always try to get the upper hand. Relationships are all about identifying areas of shared interest and creating opportunities for everyone to be a winner. When someone gains the upper hand at the expense of others, it creates envy and resentment.

Don’t compromise if you don’t have to. Relationships are built on compromise. When you watch your partner’s back, your partner will watch yours. Compromise is key. If two people are five steps apart, the best way to meet in the middle is for each person to take three steps forward.

In business, everyone’s a competitor. Some people believe that the best way to propel their career is to outmaneuver their colleagues. But when you make people look good, you’ll earn their trust and respect, and they’ll be supportive of your efforts. Plus, they’ll want you on their team.

There’s not enough time to help others. When you make an effort to help others, you’ll create an army of people willing to return the favor for you one day. But remember, please don’t keep score.

You be the judge as to whether or not taking the high road leads to success . . . Would you consider an egotist to be your role model? Would you choose a self-centered person as a good friend? Would you recruit a selfish person for your team? Would you marry and spend your lifetime with a greedy person? I thought not. It never pays to be selfish.

Do You Think It Pays to Be Selfish?

This is adapted from Follow Your Conscience: Make a Difference in Your Life & in the Lives of Others By Frank Sonnenberg © 2014 Frank Sonnenberg. All rights reserved.

Additional Reading:
The Many Faces of Greed
Reputation:You Can’t Run From Your Shadow
Giving: The Most Important Lesson in Life
The Values on Which Trust Rests
Win-Win Business Relationships

If you like this article, subscribe to our blog so that you don’t miss a single post. Get future posts by RSS feed, email or Facebook. It’s FREE.