The 7 Secrets of Neuron Leadership

Chapter 10Our Needs

I do think a carpenter needs a good hammer to bang in the nail.

—OLIVER REED

Before moving on to explore the next two secrets, we need to first spend some time determining and examining our personal and professional needs (Figure 10.1). In this chapter, we will affirm that it's our right and our responsibility—not someone else's—to determine our true purpose in life and have our needs met. All of us have needs, personally and professionally, to enjoy a happy, healthy, and productive life. These needs must be understood and met in an appropriate way.

Figure 10.1 Self‐Actualization Pyramid

Source: Elenaphoto21, Dreamstime.com.

To determine our most important needs, let's reflect on our shortened list of beliefs. These beliefs, and their underlying values, dictate our needs. For example, if our belief is that it's our responsibility to nurture and care for our families, one of our needs may be income. That means we probably need a job or business. But what kind of job? If our list of beliefs does not include the need for superficial, ego‐gratifying luxuries (as fun and desirable as these may be), then do we really need that high‐paying yet highly stressful career that keeps us away from home six months out of the year? Do we really need that brand‐new Mercedes, or does that desire stem from an antiquated and unhealthy belief that our neighbors and friends ...