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ROBIN SHARMA is a globally respected humanitarian who, for over a quarter of a century, has been devoted to helping human beings realize their native gifts. One of the top leadership and personal mastery experts in the world, he advises companies such as NASA, Nike, Microsoft, Unilever, GE, FedEx, HP, Starbucks, Yale University, PwC, IBM Watson and the Young Presidents' Organization. His #1 international bestsellers, such as The 5AM Club, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, The Greatness Guide and Who Will Cry When You Die?, have sold millions of copies in more than ninety-two languages and dialects, making him one of the most widely read authors alive.

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The Greatness Guide

HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Chapter One

I'm No Guru

The media sometimes calls me a leadership (or self-help) "guru." I'm not. I'm just an ordinary guy who happens to have learned ideas and tools that have helped many human beings reach their best lives and many organizations get to world class.

But I must be really clear: I'm no different from you. I have my struggles, my frustrations and my own fears—along with my hopes, goals and dreams. I've had good seasons and some deeply painful ones. I've made some spectacularly good choices and some outrageously bad mistakes. I'm very human—a work in progress. If I have ideas that you find insightful, please know it's simply because I spend my days focused on the knowledge you are about to experience. Thinking about practical ways to help you play your biggest game as a human being and reach greatness. Dwelling on how I can help companies get to the extraordinary. Do anything long enough and you'll get some depth of insight and understanding about it. Then they'll call you a guru.

A man at a signing I did at a bookstore in Bangalore, India, heard me say, "I'm no guru." He came up to me and said: "Why are you so uncomfortable being called a guru? 'Gu' simply means 'darkness' in Sanskrit and 'ru' simple means 'dispel.' So the word 'guru' simply speaks of one who dispels the darkness and brings more understanding and light." Nice point. Made me think.

I've had good seasons and some deeply painful ones. I've made some spectacularly good choices and some outrageously bad mistakes. I'm very human?a work in progress.

I guess my discomfort stems from the fact that if you think I'm different from you, then you might say, "Well, I can't do the kinds of things Robin talks about because he has talents and abilities I don't have. All the stuff he talks about is easy for him to do. He's this guru." Nope. Sorry to disappoint you. I'm just a guy working hard to make the best of his days, trying to be a great single dad to my two wonderful children and hoping he's—in some way—making a difference in peoples' lives. No guru here. But I do like the "dispelling the darkness" point. Need to learn more about that one. Maybe some guru can help me.

Excerpted from The Greatness Guideby Robin Sharma Copyright © 2008 by Robin Sharma. Excerpted by permission.
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