The Awakening...

It is said that if there are no opportunities coming your way at
press time; then why not create those opportunities yourself?

Yet in setting up those opportunities, can you really control
everything?

If you could... then you do not really need to fear the uncertainties
of business; you need not worry of recessions or even competition.
Hey, you can control everything, remember?

Challenges are no longer part of one's dictionary then, after all,
there's nothing that could challenge you anymore. Collaboration
is even not crucial at all as you could survive and thrive alone.

Are all these really possible?

What do you think? Let's see. Doing business involves a buyer
and a seller. If you grow your own farm, at the very least, you
could be manufacturer, marketer, and accountant. No real need
for partners or employees unless it's more than just a home
business.

But leaders and entrepreneurs are ambitious, hence, they think
big, they act big -- they understand that we don't live on our own,
that people need people.

This means... even when creating your own opportunities, for it to
truly succeed, you need to partner. You would need creative and
courageous people in your team.

"Revolutions aren't made by gadgets and technology. They're
made by a shift in power, which is taking place all over the world.
Today, intellectual capital is at least as important as money
capital and probably more so." - Walter B. Wriston

People make things happen. They think. They create. They
innovate. They decide. And a True Leader recognizes these,
so he is humble enough to take in all the help he can muster.

This awakening is all about realizing that creating opportunities is
really a matter of self-promotion and collaboration. While a good
deal or investment only happens when you learn to see beyond
the surface.

Many claims to know these but not surprisingly, there are just
those who needs to be rocked repeatedly to wake them up from
their slumber.

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might
win by fearing to attempt." - William Shakespeare

The time to apply what you claim is long overdue. Let's just do it.

Remember…
“A truly successful businessman is essentially a dissenter, a rebel who is
seldom if ever satisfied with the status quo.” - J. Paul Getty

A Leader In The Woods...

How will you know a potential leader? Or determine a True Leader
from a figurehead or pretender?

The average person who occupies a position of leadership exceeds
the average member of his group in the following respects:
intelligence, knowledge, dependability in exercising responsibilities,
and activity and social participation.

The qualities, characteristics, and skills required in a leader are
determined to a large extent by the demands of the situation in which
he is to function as a leader.

A True Leader knows a potential leader when he sees one. Learning
to spot talents is an important ability of a leader as like a tree bearing
fruits. Without this ability to produce leaders, a leader is incomplete.

"Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on
it except leaves. Then he said to it, 'may you never bear fruit
again!' Immediately, the tree withered." - Matthew 21:19

Then what makes a potential leader? A degree? Certainly not as
most everybody can have one given the opportunity.

On the other hand, most people accepts that leadership implies
personality. And a True Leader knows how one evolves to become
a leader being aware that it all starts from deep inside.

Here are fifteen of the most important Executive Qualities:

JUDGEMENT... is the ability to give sound judgment; it's about being
astute or shrewd.

INITIATIVE... is the power, ability, or instinct to begin or to follow
through energetically with a plan or task.

INTEGRITY... as according to Viscount Slim, it's the quality which
makes people trust you.

FORESIGHT... is the ability to foresee.

ENERGY... is vigor in action; in this aspect, it's health not age that
matters.

DRIVE... is enthusiasm, determination, perseverance, and resilience
all rolled in one.

HUMAN RELATIONS SKILL... speaks of empathy and diplomatic skills.

DECISIVENESS... is characterized by decision and firmness.

DEPENDABILITY... is about being reliable and responsible.

EMOTIONAL STABILITY... is of having self-control and self-discipline.

FAIRNESS... is being non-biased, non-discriminatory and just
in dealings.

AMBITION... more than just being goal-oriented, it's about aspiring
for greater heights.

DEDICATION... more than just being loyal, it's being hard-working.

OBJECTIVITY... is about being realistic; about understanding the
difference between true potential and fantasy.

COOPERATION... is the act of working together toward a common
end or purpose; this is the cornerstone of power.

An understanding of leadership in terms of the qualities of personality
and character which one person has to a greater degree over others
is key to recognizing potentials and talents.

Remember…
“The Best Leaders are not found in flocks... just like Eagles.”

A Leader's Battery...

It's a maundy Thursday; for Christians, it's one of those days when
we slow down and reflect on life. Yes, even for us leaders, we
need to get our engines checked... if we are living how we should,
if we are truly using the gifts God gave us.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a
man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is
encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs
of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him
govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
~ Romans 12:6-8

I understand that not everybody is a Christian; but whether
Christian or not, I am sure all sectors teaches rightful living. This
is not about religion but about being fair and doing good in every
opportunity... and that's exactly what True Leaders would do even
in business.

See, while we try our best to achieve, people still needs people.
Oh, this is not about letting emotions rule over ourselves but
about realizing that life is good and promising but fragile. It's
about accepting that one way or another, even just through ideas,
people gets that needed push to grow, to advance.

"I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow."
~ Woodrow Wilson

Humility is a priceless gift True Leaders pick up on their way to
greatness. It's understanding that we can not control everything.
It's realizing that we could fail no matter how good our foresight is.
It's accepting that we need a hand and it's what actually brought
us to where we are.

No one can climb the ladder of success without taking anyone
along... even Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay knows that.

If the Holy Week has been successful in bringing meaning to
your life, then you now know that caring is an integral part of
leadership -- whether in or out of the organization, so much more
for those you are connected with, business or personal.

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for such
sacrifices God is pleased." - Hebrews 13:16

No, again, this is not about religion but about being what a True
Leader is. For what is a leader without a heart? And how could
you be a good shepherd if you don't even know what a sheep is?
If you don't show real care?

In networking, most connects with "like-minded" people. Why?
To seek out opportunities? To collaborate? Well, of course yes
but sadly, many just connected for personal interests. What then
happened to the "win-win" thing? To ethics? Yes, needs and
opportunities may not come at the same time and to both
parties -- but that's no excuse to help out in a way you can.

You are supposedly a Leader, yet, did you just connect for numbers?

Let's witness the power of networking... it should be for all of us,
whether Holy Week or not, whether Christian or not.

Remember…
“Great ambition and conquest without contribution is without significance.”