Looking good is not the same as being good. A world with people sharing is a much better and richer place to live in than a world where everyone only takes care of themselves.
Very few of us share the recognition that Sir Richard Branson enjoys, thus all of us should have more reason to create awareness for ourselves than he has.
Richard Branson writes all his posts himself. Because he needs the attention or recognition? No, he blogs because he has so much he wants to share with the world.
I have never met Richard Branson, but Brian – the brother of my brother in law from Manchester, UK – has.
Brian used to run a boxing club in Manchester. Some years ago he was called to Buckingham Palace to receive recognition for his work keeping youngsters out of trouble by keeping them busy and disciplined in his boxing club.
It just so happened that Richard Branson, on that same day, was also called to Buckingham Palace to receive his knighthood. After the ceremony Richard Branson invited all the recipients for a drink at a hotel around the corner from Buckingham Palace. As Richard was making his way through the line of recipients to shake their hands and hear their stories he also came to Brian.
I heard this story from Brian as we meet at a family reunion in Royton a couple of months after the ceremony. This is what he told me:
Sir Richard Branson came over to me and offered his congratulations. I also congratulated him and told him that I was honored to be at this event with him and that it was very generous of him to invite us all for drinks and snacks. “Call me Richard, please” he said and continued, “I am the last one in this room to deserve this honor. All I have done is made some money, but the rest of you have served your communities. You have taken time out of your busy schedules to serve the needs of others. You haven’t asked for any other remuneration than the warm feeling of doing good. You deserve the admiration and you inspire me.
Richard left Brian flabbergasted and continued to talk with the rest of the recipients. Prior to the ceremony Richard had checked what the other recipients were nominated for. He knew all the stories and could relate to them as he addressed them individually. Richard invested time and effort because he genuinely admired and cared for the people that were being honored for serving their communities.
So what’s the point?
The point is that we should all share our experiences, observations and take a stand. Not for self serving purposes or to become famous, but out of a genuine desire to give and to share what is actually free for us to give and share.
Looking good is not the same as being good. A world with people sharing is a much better and richer place to live in than a world where everyone only takes care of themselves.
Adam Grant wrote a great book on this subject explaining how we can all give without being taken advantage of. An excellent read for the summer holidays.
Thank you to my brother-in-law Wilfred Burton from Royton by Manchester, UK for double checking that I got the Branson quote right.
