None of us wants to be thought of as average or inconsequential. Not many of us strive to be "that CEO counting his cash"—there's a lot more gratification in being the leader counting his cache of contributions to bettering people's lives.

You may want to start thinking about reinventing yourself as a "builder"—unique, accomplished, and always paying forward. It makes for a good life!

Sander A. Flaum is managing partner of Flaum Partners and chairman, Fordham Graduate School of Business, Leadership Forum. He can be reached at sflaum@flaumpartners.com