Archive for the ‘Getting Started’ Category

Sometimes we just need a little perspective. We may think things are difficult, even insurmountable at times, but consider for a moment what one of our country’s greatest leaders faced, then remind yourself that this courage lies within you as well, waiting to be discovered. For many people Lincoln will always stand as one of the utmost heroic figures in United States history.

But what most of us don’t know is that Lincoln’s life before his presidency was marked by one failure after another. He failed in many ventures; in business, in elections for Speaker of the House and to the state legislature, he lost a Congressional nomination, a land officer appointment, twice to the US Senate, and in a nomination for the Vice President. Finally, it was only after these eight sizeable failures that Lincoln was elected President of the United States. How many of us would have given up after so many defeats?

Many of the problems our country faces today pale in comparison to what Lincoln had to overcome as president. During his presidency, eleven states seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America. Americans may think the divisions between parties is great today, but think of this divide which Lincoln faced. Americans on both sides were literally killing each other.

The American casualties in the Civil War during Lincoln’s presidency were greater than the America casualties lost under all the other Presidents combined. Lincoln’s responsibilities were so immense, yet he managed to keep the country together so that we can still call our nation a united states.

Lincoln also dealt with depression without the luxury of modern medicine. Nevertheless he led by example. He is known to have been one of the kindest, good-hearted presidents in the history of our nation. In his second inaugural address, Lincoln said that there should be “malice toward none” and that he intended “to bind up the nation’s wounds.”

Indeed, we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for his great service to our country and for the heroic example of leadership he left for us. Clearly, our responsibilities do not match his, yet we can still meet our challenges with the fearless kind heart of President Lincoln.

We have all achieved merit in our own way. We might think it is insignificant, but somehow we learned to walk and talk, to get an education, and to overcome some memorable obstacles of our own over the years. Think about it for a moment and I am sure you will grin about at least one personal accomplishment. No matter how trivial it might seem in comparison to Abraham Lincoln’s, allow it to remind you that you too can find your own greatness within yourself if you put your mind to it.

It is estimated that our brains receive information through our senses that result in some four billion neuron impulses per second. Of these four billion pieces of information we are only consciously aware of about 2,000. That’s a mere 0.00005%.

It is happening to you right now. Possibly, until we mention it now, you were not even aware of the sense perception of your clothes on your skin. Or, aware of the noise in the background. Or, aware of all the multitude of objects just inside your peripheral vision. Until we mentioned them you were paying attention to something else.

If you had to be fully aware of all the information that you receive at all times you probably would be so overwhelmed you wouldn’t be able to function. Unwanted information is filtered out through a process of Deletion, Distortion and Generalization. This filtering process is driven largely by our beliefs of how things are at any given time.

Whilst this can be tremendously helpful in keeping you from being overwhelmed it can lead you into making assumptions about situations that might not serve you well; you can easily become a victim of the vagueness that you accept as fact.

To make matters worse, when you communicate with others you pass on your assumptions, with the additional assumption that the recipient makes the same assumptions. Your assumptions create gaps in your communication that you expect the other person to fill in with the SAME understanding. All too often because of your assumptions you do not deliver what is or was expected.

Here are some examples of vagueness. What assumptions are you making as you interpret them?

“Go and increase the morale in the team!”

“Make sure that they fully appreciate your efforts!”

“Spend more time on customer relations!”

Now try this: Being a Champion of Clarity

First off, to be a Champion of Clarity you have to recognize that communication is filled with assumption. A Champion of Clarity recognizes the pitfalls of assumption both as a speaker and as a listener.

As a listener they are very aware of the following phrase:

“The meaning of your communication is the response that you get!”

As such, a Champion of Clarity takes full responsibility for ensuring that their communication is thoroughly understood.

As a listener they recognize that they all too often interact with Victims of Vagueness, and they take steps to avoid relegating from a Champion of Clarity by ensuring that they fully understand the intention of the communication behind the words that they hear.

A good way to ensure proper understanding is getting sensory cues that provide evidence of the successful desired outcome.

In response to the vague statements above, a Champion of Clarity would ask something like:

“And when I have increased morale in the team, what will let you know that it has been done well?”

“What is it that will let them know that we put in effort in a way that should be recognized?”

“And when we are spending more time on customer relations, what will you see and hear?”

Give it some thought. Don’t be a Victim Of Vagueness, become a Champion Of Clarity.

Turning Your Wheels: 8 Steps Towards Becoming The Leader You Need To Be To Succeed!

An important part of success in life is the ability to lead. It is important that we not only be able to lead others but be willing to lead ourselves. No one succeeds in life by simply following others. Sometimes we simply must strike a bold new path for ourselves.

Being a good leader is more than simply being at the forefront of the crowd. A leader must act, and act skillfully. Too often in America, we simply accept that someone looks or sounds like a leader and too rarely do we actually look at the actions that leader performs — and that is the true test of leadership.

However, in order to become good leaders ourselves, we need to concentrate on solid and wise actions rather than simple appearances. The title of this article refers to eight steps, but do not think of these as progressive steps like so many recipes or instruction manuals describe. Instead, think of these as actions that you must take on a regular basis.

First, be alert to new potentials. “Reality” is not absolute but rather subject to constant change. Think about inventors, explorers, and agents of social change who have achieved greatness. Some might simply say that certain people are successful because they are lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Maybe so, but if they hadn’t had their eyes open for the opportunity, then it wouldn’t have mattered if they were in the right place.

Second, accept inspiration from wherever it comes; even your opponents. The wisest leaders constantly study their peers and their competition. In war, politics, and business we constantly see examples of this research and reconnaissance. Too many times though people concentrate on finding a weakness to exploit. If you want to be a leader of positive change don’t fall victim to this trend. Instead, if you find a weakness, make sure to avoid that pitfall yourself. If you find the strength then find a way to strengthen your own qualities to match.

Third, learn something new and promote in new ways every day. This means you must continually seek to expand your horizons, internally and externally. Feed your mind with new lessons and knowledge, but constantly expand your social horizons as well. Seek out and meet new people and immerse yourself in new social situations. You never know when these new experiences will help you in your leadership role.

Fourth, search for and find answers in subtle clues. Look beneath the surface and constantly question. This is an extension of the third step in that you are seeking new knowledge. But this also means that you will need to step off the traditional paths of knowledge. Don’t simply read books in the literary canon or the bestsellers list. Take seminars rather than classes as there is more room for questioning and debate. Seek out the unconventional thinkers, teachers, and writers. Stay thirsty for expanding your horizon.

Fifth, improvise if no existing solutions are available. No excuses. Necessity is the mother of invention. How do you know it won’t work if you’ve never tried it before? Remember, not all approaches need to come from the front. Look at your problem from all sides and systematically attempt different solutions in various combinations.

Six, make at least one person you care about happy every day. If you make it a point to be thoughtful and caring for one person every day then soon this thoughtful, caring behavior will become a habit and that habit will spread to the others around you. Making someone else happy also feeds your own personal happiness. Just imagine how much better the world would be if we all did a little bit more to spread happiness.

Seven, offer help, even if there’s no apparent advantage to you. This means more than writing a check. It means giving of your time and energy and yourself. Sometimes it will mean helping someone you don’t know and sometimes it can be a very personal action.

Finally, never let negativity be your last word on the subject. If your final words are negative than no matter how hopeful you may be about the potential of a project or action the lasting impression you give to others is one of negativity. Accentuate the positive and you are more likely to see a positive outcome.

If you follow these eight action steps not only you will be a better leader but also lead yourself to a more successful life. Start turning your wheels…

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“Leaders who don’t believe that results are limitless are selling their jobs and careers short. Here is a four-step process for manifesting a “results are limitless” mind-set.”

In Leadership, Results Are Limitless

Results are limitless. That’s not a supposition.  That’s a fact.  Leaders who don’t believe that don’t understand the power of leadership to achieve great results.  Leaders who believe it and live by their belief have an unmatched advantage over those leaders who don’t.

To begin to understand how and why results-are-results are limitless, consider these facts:

* In 1878, Jean Bouillaud, member of the French Academy of Sciences, said upon hearing a demonstration of Thomas Edison’s phonograph, “It is quite impossible that the noble organs of human speech could be replaced by ignoble, senseless metal.”

* In 1899, Charles H. Duell (Commissioner of U.S. Office of Patents.), urging President William McKinley to abolish his office, said: “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”

* An 1909 article in the Scientific American stated, “The automobile has practically reached the limit of its development as suggested by the fact that during the past year no improvements of a radical nature have been introduced.”

* Popular Mechanics stated in March 1949: “Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and perhaps only weight 11/2 tons.”

The point isn’t that experts are wrong. Experts, we know, have been wrong countless times.  The point isn’t that things change.  That’s obvious.  The point is this: BECAUSE THINGS CHANGE, RESULTS ARE LIMITLESS.  IN OTHER WORDS, WHATEVER RESULTS YOU ARE ACHIEVING, YOU CAN ALWAYS ACHIEVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT OR MORE.

This may seem like a non sequitur. After all, leaders know that things change.  But many leaders whom I have encountered don’t make the connection and fail to realize that results are limitless.

But there is a connection — a profound connection. And leaders who don’t make that connection, don’t live that connection, are giving short shrift to their leadership and the people they lead.

Living by the results-are-limitless credo can set you apart as a leader who consistently gets results, no matter what the challenge you face.

Start to take a small but well-defined step to manifest results-are-limitless leadership:

(1) Identify. Identify one thing you think is NOT BEING QUESTIONED.  Make sure it is something people believe has “reached the limit of its development.”  It may be a product or features of a product.  It may be the way your organization is structured.  It may be a successful engineering program.

(2) Question. Treat it as if it’s fundamental premise were false.  Can you shoot holes in the logical reasons for its existence?  If it ain’t broke, see what would happen if you break (change) it with one end in mind, achieving more results.

(3) Change. See if you can come up with answers that will lead either to replacing what you’re questioning or improving it.

(4) Continue. Don’t look at this as an academic assignment.  It’s not homework.  It’s the beginning of making the credo part of the DNA of your leadership.

Repeat: This as a leadership endeavor. Determine who are the cause leaders you need to make the change happen.  Talk to them about how they would take leadership to affect that change.  You should not only have “What if … ” discussions but more importantly, “Why not … “discussions.

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What separates those who succeed and those who live their lives feeling that things could have been better?

Ask any truly successful person why they achieved and they will all tell you they had a dream, a vision for their future.  Those who are successful leaders have been able to share that dream with others with such conviction that they have convinced others to join them on their quest to achieve that dream.

Can anyone achieve their dream? Having a clear strategy can help you make your dream a reality.  It isn’t rocket science, or magic.  Take the following steps and fulfill your dream.  Make it your reality.

The first step is to understand that in order to achieve success you must take action.  Inertia is the most common reason for lack of success!

What is your dream? Your goals for the future?  What do you want to achieve in your life in the next week? month? year? 5 years? What would you like people to remember you for after you have left this world?

Think big – challenge yourself. Reach for the stars!

Be clear about where you are now.  Audit your strengths and areas for development

What needs to be done to eliminate the gap between your dream and the reality?

• Prioritize. Don’t just look for quick wins, consider those things which will have maximum long term impact.  Build solid foundations, think of sustainability!

• Set challenging but realistic targets. Aim high.

• Communicate your vision, and keep doing so.  Ensure that all stake holders understand and subscribe to the same vision.

• Who do you need to involve?  How will you ensure they sign up to and stay committed to the vision?

• Think about the language you use, be sure to sound positive, if others think you are confident it can be achieved they will gain confidence too.  Develop a “I can do it” mentality within your staff.  For every problem there is a solution, encourage others to see themselves as problem solvers not problem givers.

• Create clear lines of communication which operate at every level and in all directions.

• Break each priority down into small achievable steps, involve your team.  Who needs to do what by when?  Set a timetable.

• Identify the roles and responsibilities for all staff; ensure that staff take ownership of their work.

• Ensure that people are appropriately trained and that training is constantly updated.

• Build in the monitoring and review process from the start so you can evaluate performance and be prepared to adjust as necessary.  (By creating a culture of development rather than blame huge potential will be released.)

• Celebrate success! and remember to thank people for their contribution, give credit where it due and be generous with it.

• Develop professional honesty within your staff, constructive feed back can be invaluable.

Finally leave your ego behind as it will simply get in the way of your success.

Did you know that your goals are far, far ahead of you?

Really.

Women and men have been aiming at achieving more or less the same things in their lives since thousands and thousands of years.

You are the one who is new to the game. The game itself is old. Very old.

You could think that you are setting new goals and identifying an ever-growing stream of new and improved needs, wants and must haves; all the while working toward a better life and state of being for you and your loved ones.

Don’t be fooled. Your goals are way ahead of you. They have seen you coming from miles away. Seen you peak your head around the corner eyeballing that new you, including that new purse, dress, car, house, husband, wife, promotion, status, reputation, retirement, etc. from miles and miles away.

You are not coming up with your goals, your goals are coming up with you; reinventing you, shaping you into the man or woman you will become. Unconsciously, if you are not careful.

Don’t exhaust yourself running after that future state of perfect peace and happiness that can only be found in the intense sanity of being truly, fully here and now.

You may be looking out of your office window in Midtown Manhattan right now or driving down the 101 into Los Angeles in mid-morning, bumper to bumper traffic, you may be ex-padding it on the Mexican peninsula or teaching those stern Europeans how to market to the 50+.

Whichever it is, don’t loose sight of what makes you unique. It is not your goals, it’s your capacity to be present in spite of them.

Tell us what do you think! Share your thoughts about Men Who Stare At Goals (And Women Too)!

We can help bring your goals onto the path, so that you prosper not simply because but in spite of them!

Call us today at (805) 680-3988 for your personal Free 25 minutes Empowered Perspective Consultation.

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We assist you with personalized Intelligent Leadership and Quality of Life in Business.

Want to know the #1 mistake that brings a leader to his knees?

It’s a lack of humility.

Throughout history it is this one mistake that has leaders confused about what their actual role as a leader is. If a leader becomes unapproachable, you have no leader.

Without aspiring followers who trust the vision and execute the strategy, you have no leader. If you take away the student, you have no teacher. If you take away the apprentice, you have no mentor.

As an example, during the winter of 2006 Jet Blue faced massive communication challenges and it was humility that enabled the CEO to rise from the ashes.

If you fail to bring fourth the courage to admit that you are wrong quickly and move in a positive direction, all the leadership training in the world is simply going to prepare you for the slow encounter with the inevitable “crash”. The moment when your leadership has become obsolete, when your knowledge is no longer worth listening to; or your vision, strategy and plan of action are no longer worth pursuing.

To avoid this mistake, be sure to listen to the world around you, especially the natural world of places and people. Put your ear on the ground and your hand on the pulse.  It is always trying to tell you if you’re on track or not. Get on your knees, get really in there. Learn to intimately know yourself and others. If you do, humility will not be an issue. Guaranteed!

We can help you and your developing leaders get around this #1 mistake.

Call us today at (805) 680-3988 for your personal Free 25 minutes Empowered Perspective Consultation.

Sign up for The Empowered Perspective eZine above or visit our website at www.empowermentholdings.com.

We assist you with personalized Intelligent Leadership and Quality of Life in Business.

The Secret Remedy Leadership Obesity or How to avoid a heart attack before your time.

“Sometimes the comfortable thing to do isn’t the right thing to do.” -Tony Blair

Let’s be honest. You are quickly outgrowing the leaders who seem bloated, disengaged, bored, tired, argumentative, egotistical or overly selfish.

Times have changed. People are increasingly fed up with being manipulated in any way, shape or form into doing what’s not in their own intuitive best interest.

Leaders need to continuously wake up and grow up in order to be inspiring examples who don’t have to use fancy footwork, force or pressure to get results. Can you use your results to inspire and motivate instead?

The heart attack is symbolical. Open your heart. Widen it, deepen it. Or have it attacked by the reality of your people’s needs, wants, dreams, hopes, ambitions and interests.
As a leader, it does not serve you or your organization if you seek out comfort. In fact, comfort can be your enemy until you are a master at your craft, and even far beyond. Lose some weight, become pliant again, freshen your perspective on life and the current times. Step out of your comfort zone. Reconnect with your bravery, honesty and sense of responsibility. Let your heart embrace the concerns of your people, short and long term. THINK!

If you don’t you might find yourself not only outsourced and useless, you might even stop being inspired. And if you’re not inspired, why should anybody else be.

Leadership starts with you, lose the weight!

We can help you start getting back into leadership shape.

Call us today at (805) 680-3988 for your personal Free 25 minutes Empowered Perspective Consultation.

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We assist you with Intelligent Leadership and Quality of Life in Business.

When I walked the streets of New York a few months ago I saw a blind girl crossing the street with her walking stick.

Silently and swiftly, without a moment of hesitation.

Hers was a sense of alertness and presence that few of the vast number of people that shared the sidewalk with her could match. She knew where she was, what she was doing, why she was doing it and how to get it done. She had vision.

Even though she could not see.

When was the last time you sat down and clearly defined where you are, what you are doing, why you are doing it and how to get it done?

In numbers, it translates to roughly 3% of humanity that have a clear vision as to where their life is taking them. Are you one of them?

If not, why not give us a call today and let us empower you with clarity of vision? At Empowerment Holdings we call such clarity of vision Your Empowered Perspective.

* It is what will carry you when the masses are pushing you in directions you don’t care for and don’t want to go in.

* It is what protects you when your actions are beginning to produce unexpected or unwanted results.

* It is what empowers you to drive your life to Intelligent Leadership and Quality of Life in Business.

Call us today at (805) 680-3988 for your personal Free 25 minutes Empowered Perspective Consultation.

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We assist you with Intelligent Leadership and Quality of Life in Business.

Are you worried about boots on the ground? Your boots?

Are you worried about getting your own hands dirty, refining your attitude, honing your skill and losing your illusions about what it really takes to lead people intelligently and successfully?

Are you reluctant to open up the discussion how you can build a business that is ethical, consistent, authentic, transparent and an expression of your personal values and integrity.

Are you avoiding looking at what the real causes of quality of life in business are and how you can get started with their implementation?

Why not start by putting your own boots on the ground. Become realistic about the need for you to develop greater composure and cultivate your connections with others.

Here are three things you can do today that will strengthen your Intelligent Leadership and Quality of Life in Business:

1) Develop a sense of humanity: Life’s not always about you and your needs and wants. People share a fate in that everyone is working to make the most of the time they have, whether that expresses in their private lives or professional lives. Open up, observe others! Are you really so different?

2) Commit unconditionally: You will only put forth your best effort and bare the heaviest burdens for goals that are well worth it, and a vision that is well conceived. Once you have found what these goals are and what that vision consists of, commit unconditionally. It is the one thing that keeps the red wood tree growing through the seasons and it will get you to your sunny spot as well.

3) Celebrate successes: Every day has some successes. Whether you allowed someone in line to pay his coffee before you paid yours, or you succeeded in being a bit less anxious when Bill down the hall received laureates for an idea you sparked. Celebrate your successes and keep enjoying your journey. Less anxious = more quality of life. Remember that.

Call us today at (805) 680-3988 for your personal Free 25 minutes Empowered Perspective Consultation.

Sign up for The Empowered Perspective eZine above or visit our website at www.empowermentholdings.com.

We assist you with Intelligent Leadership and Quality of Life in Business.