Archive for the ‘Strategy’ Category

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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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.

Summary:

This article is designed to provide cutting edge guidance for you – entrepreneurs, executives and business leaders – who are involved in leading the strategic direction of your own lives and your businesses.

This short article will provide you with a powerful birds-eye view on what being an organizational leader is all about on a personal level. Take your time with it. Read it once and read it again. Like a good wine or a great friend, it develops its clarity, flavor and value over time.

You will discover the main areas of expertise, knowledge, and understanding, that are needed to successfully lead your organization in today’s complex and fast-changing world.

The area we look at today is that of Personal Attributes. This is the blend of your knowledge, expertise, character and competencies encapsulated in your approach, your behavior as a leader.

In organizations of all sizes and in all sectors, public and private, these characteristics are key to your effective leadership. Your essential personal attributes are as follows:

Behaving Ethically- by learning about the ethical issues and concerns that impact your business sector; adopting a balanced, open-minded approach to the ethical concerns of others; considering the ethical issues and implications of all personal actions and organizational activity; raising and discussing ethical issues before proposing or agreeing to decisions; resisting pressures from your organization or its partners to achieve objectives by unethical means. Basically, it boils down to being decent in your dealings with other people. Can’t stress this point enough.

Thinking Strategically- by learning and understanding how all the different functions, systems and layers of your organization should ideally work together.

Understanding the complexities of, and the changes happening in, your external environment, and considering how your organization can best respond the these; understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your organization, and the opportunities and threats facing it; understanding how the strategic objectives are influenced by all the current and forecast influences that will impact your organization; understanding that the operational objectives and targets must be in line with and support the values, guiding principles and strategic objectives of your organization; being aware of and responding intelligently to the behavior of current and potential competitors.

Supporting Personal And Organizational Goals- by helping to create and communicate a vision which can be understood and supported by people at all levels; helping others to understand and contribute to the strategic goals; giving visible personal support to the strategic direction and specific goals set by you and your organization.

Communicating Effectively- by being responsive to messages and signals from the internal and external environments; making effective use of communication channels from and to all levels within your organization; pro-actively encourage the exchange of information within your organization, and amongst suppliers, customers and partners; listening to others, including those with opposing views, carefully and thoughtfully; selecting personal communication styles that are appropriate to the different situations and audiences.

Gathering Information- by establishing multiple channels and networks which generate a constant flow of information, from within and outside the organization; regularly and consistently gathering, analyzing, challenging, and using the information gathered.

Making Decisions- by establishing a consistent approach to the analysis of information; drawing on personal experience and knowledge to identify current and potential problems and opportunities; considering a range of solutions before selecting the final one; ensuring that the selected decision is feasible, achievable, and affordable; considering the impact of the decision on all stakeholders, at all levels, before approving implementation.

Developing Effective Teams- by appreciating the contribution of others, at all levels in your organization; ensuring that individuals and teams are kept informed of plans, developments and issues that will affect them; ensuring that individual and team development schemes are given appropriate priority; providing personal support for the implementation and maintenance of development activities for individuals and teams at all levels.

Behaving Assertively- by understanding and responding to various personal roles and responsibilities; adopting a leading role in initiating necessary action and decision making; taking personal responsibility for decisions and actions; being properly prepared for involvement in activities and events; remaining confident and professional in dealing with change and challenges; refusing unreasonable demands; defending and protecting individuals and teams from unfair or discriminatory actions; attempting to remain courteous and professional in manner at all times.

Concentrating On Results- by contributing to the establishment of an organizational culture that serves the whole person, sets high standards and aims at high levels of meaningful performance; focusing on relevant objectives and planned outcomes; dealing with issues and problems when they arise; planning and scheduling personal work and the work of others in ways which make best use of the available resources; delegating appropriately; giving personal attention to the critical issues and events.

Managing Yourself- by reflecting regularly on your personal development, performance and progress; pro-actively asking others for feedback on personal performance and blind spots; changing personal behavior in the light of feedback received; being responsible and taking responsibility for your own personal development needs.

Presenting a Positive Image- by adopting a leading role in initiating continuous right action and conscious decision making; behaving in a professional manner; being open-minded and responsive to the needs of others; visibly working towards personal and organizational development goals; adopting an ethical approach to all personal and organizational activity; being even tempered, positive and supportive to your colleagues; demonstrating fairness and generating integrity at all times.

In Summary:

These essential attributes are many, and difficult to maintain consistently, but they are the attributes needed by, and expected of effective conscious business leaders.

The size of your organization, the business sector, whether public or private, is of little consequence.

Leaders who do well continuously aim to be role models for themselves and others, be visible champions of high standards of insightful, professional and ethical behavior, be leaders who others in their organizations can be proud of and that competitors can inspire to.

Not many of these characteristics are imbued in our leaders by default. They have to be learned, can be learned, and should then be continuously developed, practiced and enhanced with joyful enthusiasm and perseverance.

With these personal attributes in place, and being demonstrated in behavior and actions over time, you will continue to not only feel more balanced and empowered in your task but also experience your leadership as more effective and more successful.

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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.

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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.

There lies power in being “real”

In the midst of everyday life there are a thousand masks you need to wear every day.
Some of these masks you wear for others, others you wear for yourself.

Over time it becomes difficult to know who was first, the mask or the relationship that upholds or necessitates it.

It is a daily challenge for a good leader to let go of masks where they are not or no longer needed.
Why is it necessary? Because most masks equal energy lost. It takes energy to be artificial. It takes energy to behave in ways that are not natural to you or me, and to pretend to be something you are in fact not.

Now, I am not saying that you should never wear your mask. Simply, that you should be aware of the first opportunity that you realize the mask is no longer needed. If you are aware, that opportunity might come much sooner than you think.

And remember: Every time you drop another mask, you’re one step closer to becoming the leader you always were.

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.

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

I once met a man who said that since we have the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast we should have a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast.

Think about it. What else would you need if you had both a sense of freedom and a sense of commitment. You’d have it all.

In reality it is hard to find any sense of freedom in you don’t have a sense of responsibility. That is just the nature of the beast. Freedom without responsibility is quickly lost for a lack of stewardship, and responsibility without freedom is quickly abandoned for a lack of joy.

But you can stand on two legs, can’t you.

So stand on freedom and responsibility.

As C.K. Prahalad said:

“Assume responsibility for outcomes as well as for the processes and people you work with. How you achieve results will shape the kind of person you become.”

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People often ask you what you do!
When you answer that question, do you describe your products and services? Or do you communicate the benefits your clients receive?

For example, at Empowerment Holdings we could say:

We offer business coaching, consulting and executive services for “dead” professionals!

Sounds good, but you’re probably going: What does that have to do with me, my problems, my wants and needs?

And you’re right.

If instead we’d say:

“We’re able to help you overcome your fears. Period. We alleviate your professional frustrations, dissatisfaction and inability to move beyond your current, uncomfortable situation. We wake you up from the “dead”. WE WAKE YOU UP. We help you achieve breakthroughs in personal leadership and professional development.”

You’d listen because you’d know what you could get out of your relationship with us.

A leader that possesses the ability to walk in their client’s shoes for a while, who can get a sense of what life is really like for someone they’d like to do business with, will eventually become an ally and trusted friend. And people love to do business with friends, we do too.

Be a good leader and become a real friend. Take some time today and think about what people really want and need from you. Your family, your friends, your employees, your co-workers, your community, your world – what do they really want and need from you?

Wake up. Just for a minute, let go of your self absorbed worries and problems and think about what the people you are serving or wish to serve are really like. What are they facing on a day-to-day basis and how would they like to feel facing it. Figure out a way to make them feel better and deal better with their challenges and you’ll make friends for life – you’ll deserve whatever success comes to you!

Don’t continue to stand in your own way. Call us today at (805) 680-3988 for your complimentary client consultation.

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Here is the anatomy of a bad decision: You come to. You look around. How did I get here? What am I doing here? I don’t want to be here! Sh#*t!

This is how it starts, the recognition that you made a bad decision.

Suddenly… you feel squeezed, tight, hot, irritated and overwhelmed and you know you should have listened to that inkling of awareness that lit up in your consciousness and yelled “No, really, wrong way, bad decision!”

But it passed so fast, like lightning. And it was so easy to overlook.

The anatomy: A bad decision almost always…

1. Starts from a state of stress and overwhelm. Your mind is tense, anxious, frustrated and therefore veiled, you want and need fast relief.

2. As the pressure rises you ignore the signs. Your fatigue, your bad mood, her eyes, his remark, the noise, the masses. “Let’s just get moving already!”

3. When you come to the results speak for themselves. Are you better of then before? No. In fact, worse. Before you were not well, and now you applied leverage and the event has taken on a completely new dimension.

The remedy?

Slow down and appease yourself first. You don’t remedy noise with more noise or pain with more pain. The anatomy of a bad decision consists of unskillful remedial responses to an agitated, veiled state of mind. So start there. We can help.

Call us today at (805) 680-3988, sign up for The Empowered Perspective Newsletter above or visit our website www.empowermentholdings.com. Let us assist you with Intelligent Leadership and Quality of Life in Business.