12-step programs for client development and firm management and leadership . . .

Start this post by reading Lyman Reed's Twelve Steps for Personal Development Addicts; the 12 steps are funny and probably, for some, a bit close to the truth. A sample . . .

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of Dr. Phil.

4. Made a searching and fearless inventory of our local or virtual bookstore’s self-help section.

5. Humbly admitted to no one, especially not ourselves, that we weren’t really working on any of this stuff, just thinking about it and not taking any action.

6. Were entirely ready to have the latest guru remove all of our defects of character.

Mike DeWitt at Spooky Action commented on this "instant classic" list and explained why he did not buy the latest book in the climb-the-Amazon-ratings promotion even though the book's purchase came with 71 (yes, 71!) free bonuses. DeWitt realized he would never be able to read even a small part of the offerings.

And maybe self-improvement is not that complicated. DeWitt pointed out that Wallace D. Wattles, author of the very old and still-popular book The Science of Getting Rich (download The Science of Getting Rich for free here or here), distilled personal development into four factors: faith, focus, perseverance, and gratitude. A nice observation that rings true.

Following in Reed's footsteps, I bet someone could write the 12 steps for client development addicts or the 12 steps for firm management addicts or the 12 steps for leadership addicts (especially leadership!). You know whom the lists would be about: those people who take the courses and seminars, and read all the articles and books, and maybe get a coach, and do nothing more. Got a list in you?

And I bet we could distill client development, firm management, and leadership each into four factors as Wattle's did for personal development. I even bet that client development and firm management and leadership might share a factor or two. Into what four (or so) factors would you distill each of these three activities?

Now, I am going back over to those 12 steps for personal development addicts. On second reading, I am not sure I find some of them so funny. I would not recognize Dr. Phil if he walked into my Starbucks, I find Tony Robbins jarring, and I have not read Rajneesh since before he became Osho. But  #8 on the list has given me pause. I believe Lyman Reed's list may put a dent in the profits of Amazon. Thanks, Lyman . . . I think.

Comments

[Lyman Reed]

Hi Stephanie,

I've got a feeling that my steps won't do a thing to hurt Amazon's profits... I mean, the original 12 steps were for alcoholics, and as far as I know Budweiser is doing just fine. ;)

Thanks for the mention and thoughtful expansion on this. Much appreciated. :)

[StephanieWestAllen]

Hi, Lyman. Your great list may make just me a bit less likely to buy the latest personal improvement book from Amazon. And I am a very tiny drop in their profit rain.

I love Amazon. For example, I have an order right now for an upcoming book probably not considered personal improvement about neuroscience called THE SPIRITUAL BRAIN. Amazon's is such a great service - as soon as a book is available it will be shipped to me to arrive on my doorstep.

I use the local library a lot. In fact, about two years ago, a librarian told me I was classified as a "heavy user." I asked her if I needed a 12-step program for that.