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The Art of Significance – A Book Report
Brandon Heimericks
Webster University

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What is Significance? Significance can only be defined when compared with a very similar, and often mistaken for word like success. The author defines the difference between the two as, “success is getting what you want and finding happiness on a superficial level. Success is achieving goals-without having much purpose behind those goals. Success is crating the life you want-but leaving no legacy and making no difference in the grand scheme of things. Significance is a higher state of happiness and fulfillment beyond the merely successful. Attaining significance means becoming aware of your purpose and working hard to bring that out in the world.” (Clark, p.4, 2013) When we think of the difference between the two, and we want to use real life examples to bring this to life, the author explains this in real world terms that we can understand. When using a doctor as an example, “significance is the difference between your average physician who has succeeded academically and graduated from a recognized medical school, and that rare doctor who travels to a developing country, and performs cleft lip/cleft palate surgery on children, seeking no money, recognition or glory.” (Clark, p.5, 2013) But, realistically we can infer that significance is much more than about the present. Instead, significance is about what legacy we choose to leave on this earth. Regardless of whom we choose to leave a significant and lasting impression upon, and despite the fact that significance is non-discriminatory in its recipients, it is important to note that “what we do for others and the world remains and is ever-lasting.” (Clark, p. 7, 2013) In this paper I will attempt to describe the authors observations on how to be a significant person through a series of techniques learned from a lifetime of achievement. And lastly, show how his techniques can help us be successful in our careers way beyond what we have previously expected.

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What is Significance? Significance can only be defined when compared with a very similar, and often mistaken for word like success. The author defines the difference between the two as, “success is getting what you want and finding happiness on a superficial level. Success is achieving goals-without having much purpose behind those goals. Success is crating the life you want-but leaving no legacy and making no difference in the grand scheme of things. Significance is a higher state of happiness and fulfillment beyond the merely successful. Attaining significance means becoming aware of your purpose and working hard to bring that out in the world.” (Clark, p.4, 2013) When we think of the difference between the two, and we want to use real life examples to bring this to life, the author explains this in real world terms that we can understand. When using a doctor as an example, “significance is the difference between your average physician who has succeeded academically and graduated from a recognized medical school, and that rare doctor who travels to a developing country, and performs cleft lip/cleft palate surgery on children, seeking no money, recognition or glory.” (Clark, p.5, 2013) But, realistically we can infer that significance is much more than about the present. Instead, significance is about what legacy we choose to leave on this earth. Regardless of whom we choose to leave a significant and lasting impression upon, and despite the fact that significance is non-discriminatory in its recipients, it is important to note that “what we do for others and the world remains and is ever-lasting.” (Clark, p. 7, 2013) In this paper I will attempt to describe the authors observations on how to be a significant person through a series of techniques learned from a lifetime of achievement. And lastly, show how his techniques can help us be successful in our careers way beyond what we have previously expected.
Dan Clark has an interesting and intriguing perspective. Throughout the course of his book, he focuses not on the “why”, but the “what.” He pushes us throughout the duration of the book to assume roles that are higher than ourselves. To be better people intrinsically and therefore, outwardly we project better to others. He outlines a step-by-step process in which we will learn the Art of Significance; consisting of 12 steps he affectionately calls “The Twelve Highest Universal Laws of Life-Changing Leadership.” According to Clark, “the twelve laws include all of the other universal truths found in the laws of attraction, intention, abundance, and cause and effect; they are constantly at work, even if we are not.” (Clark, p. 12, 2013) He suggests “how following the laws catapults you above the masses – morally, ethically, emotionally, and in terms of your impact to the world.” (Clark, p. 13, 2013) It would be virtually impossible for me to explain, in great detail, what exactly each of these laws entailed. But instead, I will further your understanding of its higher purpose, and pick specific excerpts of the reading that I find to be relevant to advancing one’s leadership capability and managerial prowess. As Ralph Waldo so eloquently stated, “what all of us really seek in a leader is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could become.”
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The “Twelve Laws” as defined by Clark are: Practicing Obedience, Exercising Perseverance, Proactively Stretching, Trusting Predictability, Knowing the Whole Truth, Focusing on Winning, Doing and Being Right, Seeking Harmony, Accepting Others, Striving to Be Needed and Loved, Establishing Covenant Promises, and Learning Forgiveness. Also, what makes this book so special, and assists the reader in its implementation, is the fact that the author provides “Four Suggested Action Steps to Learning” at the conclusion of each law. This enables the reader to put into motion and act upon his or her newly found abilities provided to them.
When considering practicing obedience, and based off of our current discussion in class. I can’t help but be drawn to two particular selections of the book that speak to not only the discussion we had about being a manager, but also my military background. Clark asserts, “our right to order around a subordinate at work doesn’t mean that this is the right thing to do, and, in fact, our rudeness will ultimately cost us their professionalism and respect.” (Clark, p. 19, 2013) As we discussed, sometimes bringing your position down to a subordinate level, and not using positional leadership as a right to gain, may allow us the respect that we so richly seek. Also, in being obedient, it allows us the freedom to become something greater than ourselves. Not only for the purpose for which we are serving, but also for those who are enduring the same efforts beside us. As part of the Army Rangers creed, and a quote by Steven Pressfield states, “when a warrior fights not for himself, but for his brothers; when his most passionately sought goal is neither glory nor his life’s own preservation, but to spend his substance for them, his comrades; not abandon them, not to prove unworthy of them; then his heart has truly achieved contempt for death; and with that he transcends himself and his actions touch the sublime.” (Clark, D. and Pressfield, S. p. 37, 2013)
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In Clark’s Second Law, “Exercise Perseverance Instead of Patience,” he describes to ability to not just endure “mindless hardship,” but instead he pushes us to have an “active, mindful embrace of hardship in service of a higher goal or purpose.” (Clark, p. 41, 2013) My favorite take-away from this chapter is Clark’s “Bottom Line,” he states: “you have never been this old before, and today, you will never be this young again. So right now matters. Perseverance at its core rests on identifying and pursuing our personal priorities in the moment. It’s not just about staying in the game – that’s mere patience. It’s about staying in the game and remaining aware of why you’re doing it, what higher purpose you’re trying to serve. Plod along and never give up, knowing that when you reach those crisis points, you’ll rise to the occasion.” (Clark, p. 50, 2013) It’s important to know that we’re always moving forward, working towards a goal, and persevering when difficulties arise that seek to derail our confidence and shake our resolve.
At its very core, the author rings true some very simple and basic truths. He uses words like stretching instead of change; he uses trust as the basis for taking chances. It’s very easy when he explains it, because his logic is so sound. When speaking of stretching, he reminds me very much of my flight training. He states, “all strengthening occurs in the area past the point of discomfort; while you can get to the point of discomfort on your own, you need someone else whom you admire and respect to push you past discomfort and then support you while you strengthen. “ (Clark, p. 56, 2013) There are times during flight training, that only realistic and worst case scenario training will adequately prepare you for conditions you might encounter. There are numerous times in training that I have been pushed beyond my comfort zone, and its purpose is clearly to prepare me for the worst situations should they arise. Even though at the time, I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to do these things, when difficult situations arose outside of training I was ready for them. Trust, therefore, plays a large role in growth and the ability to take chances when “stretching” for greater significance.
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Trust, open communication, feedback, whole truth, winning, preparation, fear, personal accountability, right, overcoming obstacles, overcoming ego, no regrets. All of these premises are bound in one simple and infinite truth: do what’s right. What does this mean to you, and how can doing what is right tie all of these ideals together? Well, very young in my military career I was given a helpful and guiding piece of advice that still helps guide my role in today’s military. The piece of advice was given to me by my commanding officer in Officer Candidate School, and put simply it is this; “do the hard right, not the easy wrong.” I will never forget those words and how they shaped my career. If you stop to think about it, it’s almost applicable to any situation, and if you follow that guidance you will never discover yourself in a situation of which your conscience couldn’t drag you out. Clark explains, “doing what is right is often difficult but always simple. We naturally know what’s right by looking inward and honestly consulting our consciences; indeed, the standards of right conduct are universal, available to everybody in every socioeconomic, political, religious, or ideological circumstance.” (Clark, p. 140, 2013) Admittedly, doing the right thing may not always achieve your intended result. However, if we are to be significant, then it is through these values that we must live.
In summary, Clark’s book is about life. This book and its entirety is about how to be a better version of yourself, and in the process have a significant positive impact on those around you. There are no simple answers in this book. There are no easy buttons to press in order to be both significant and successful. Instead, it focuses on the journey, and not the destination. I’m inspired by reading many of the stories in this book, and not because I’m dissatisfied or jealous, but because it is encouraging to know that there is always a beginning to everyone’s journey. Whether you are 87 or 27 years old, it’s never too late to be significant. One small act of kindness or generous action, may seem insignificant, but can have immeasurable or everlasting effects on an individual. As an example, Clark quotes his dear friend “Rose” and writes, “too may love things and use people. We must love people and use things. All of the greatest 7
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accomplishments, successes, and possessions mean nothing if you are alone and only making a living instead of a difference.” (Clark, p. 228, 2013) And continues with; “achieving success is a pursuit of finite triviality usually measured by income, whereas the pursuit of significance is endless, creative, even artful and always measured by the outcomes it brings for those around us.” So, the next time you think about your significance and career, do what Dan Clark would want you to do; be honest with yourself, trust completely, stretch yourself, and take a calculated risk. All of these principles, will lead you to be a better, more complete, and significant person.

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References
Clark, D. (2013). The Art of Significance. New York, NY. Penguin Group (USA) Inc.