The Mythical Leader...

Mythical Leader. Have you heard of such?

Hmm... actually, there’s so much of that kind that roams in various
organizations… and many more just about to be hired.

Nonetheless, the question is still a question.

What is a Mythical Leader? Well, we could think of him as a leader
who protects the “status quo”; or a leader whom traditional thinkers
believe them to be, which is a round peg for a round hole.

Wait a minute.

Round peg for a round hole?
Isn’t that about getting the right fit for the job opening??
But, but… if we don’t get the right fit then how would he perform?
Wouldn’t he just produce mediocre results? So, why is it then
that a “round peg” is a “mythical leader”?

“It’s counter to human nature, but you have to kill your business
while it’s still working.” - Lewis Platt

Well, well, well… are we forward-thinking or not? Forward Thinking
is about looking from a higher perspective, it’s about looking beyond.
It’s about looking from different angles not just the front, side, and
back; it’s also about the 45° or 225° angle; it’s about the top view
and even what’s under.

For those who are skeptics, forward-thinking is not just about thinking
“different.” Understand that “different” is not always good, at times
it’s ridiculous or absurd.

What about Creativity? Yes, being “creative” is different but without
losing one’s head. It’s like being able to solve the puzzle but without
“destroying” the game or device. Thus, creativity is key to Great
Leadership.

“It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well.”
- Leonardo Da Vinci

Now, let us briefly look how the round peg for round hole principle
suppresses just two of the most vital factors to Forward Thinking.

FLEXIBILITY. The RP4RH principle is rigidly structured with no
room to maneuver but up or down, no sides, no angles or what.
Organizations and headhunters just base their recruitments on a
list of stiffly drawn requirements and traditional methods of hiring.

RESOURCEFULNESS. Since flexibility is affected, resourcefulness
is then replaced with “resume browsing” instead of “profile analysis.”
Here, we see recruiters in a bit of a rush to find that RP4RH candidate
and get their job done; otherwise, they painstakingly wait for that
RP4RH candidate like betting to hit the lottery.

What then do we notice with these two suppressed factors?

This makes many HR and recruiters sort of lazy or procrastinators.
Diplomatically, it’s called “playing safe”… unfortunately, without
realizing that they could be stepping on a gold mine.

Haven’t you ever thought that we could shape the square peg round?
Or don’t you think that the “maladjusted” could be that missing link
into making your organization see things beyond your imagination?
Or that he could make various holes to push your company ahead?

“A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.” - Warren Buffet

The answer lies in your ability and courage to see past the paper.

Remember… “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is
needed but skill will bring success.” - Ecclesiastes 10:10

The Trusted Leader...

As in all human relationships, trust is the most crucial aspect in
determining how far the association will go, on how successful the
venture will be.

But how do we develop that trust? What is its difference from “like”?
Or how can we exactly benefit from trust? And how…
do we properly use “trust”?

“Goodwill is earned by many acts; it can be lost by one.”

See, the hard part with trust is that, it takes a while for us to build it
but it only takes a second to tarnish it.

We can not ignore the fact that to err is human but then, getting
things back the way they used to be is tougher specially those
outside our family circle. Why? This is because of the varying
depths of relationships.

With family, when you “trip”, you would be more easily forgiven
because of the emotional connection brought about by the common
knowledge that the parties concerned are related by blood or marriage.

Whereas in business, things are more stiff since the connection is
basically work or investment related.

Nonetheless, we can not deny the fact that if people “trusts” us,
the power we have strengthens with the responsibilities bestowed
upon it.

“Do you realize the responsibility I carry? I’m the only person
standing between Nixon and the White House.” - John F. Kennedy

Then again, as a Leader, how do we develop that trust?

FIRST, bear in mind that if you can not trust others then you can not
be trusted yourself. This means, you got to learn to let go of the
power string and give people room. This means, you got to learn to
give people opportunities to prove themselves. This means, you got
to learn to give a chance to those who failed and to those who needs
one. This means, you got to learn to respect what they value and to
listen to their needs. This means, you got to learn to be flexible and
empathic yet firm.

And so, this brings us to the SECOND essential to earning that trust;
which is to treat people as our family.

Like what’s mentioned earlier, when you make a mistake with family…
you are more likely to be understood faster and forgiven; you are
more likely to be given another chance because of that emotional
connection, of that blood or marriage tie.

Hence, we now realize that if we treat people as how we would treat
our family then we could easily develop that deeper connection
resulting in greater trust and cooperation which is… vital to success.
This is not about being more subjective, this is about being more
responsible in our actions.

For one…
Would you put your family at risk in your decisions? Wouldn’t you
try to do even better for the sake of your family?
Leaders, readers, this speaks for both parties.

Now, see the significance of “treating people as your family”?

Trust begets trust. And power with trust then makes us more
accountable to our people and organization. Still, for many who
are simply egotistically ambitious, power is subtly abused for selfish
interests. This is a sad and unseen truth; and this happens because
of the underlying errors in traditional appointment, or even hiring.

Yes, we know that trust is key to appointments, to recruitment…
but we can not just be either subjective or objective in human
investments. This is why only True Leaders can spot Real Talents;
only True Leaders are willing to take that chance on the unknown…
for only True Leaders can see beyond; and only True Leaders can
strike the balance between being subjective and being objective
and look for ways to utilize and maximize one’s potentials.

Indeed, trust gives us that Leadership Edge. And no doubt,
trust is earned, but really… it’s just a matter of opportunity and
unprejudicial, undiscriminatory, unbiased and open-minded
treatment to others… personal or business… that wins trust.

Trust just has to be sincerely communicated to build up.

Remember… “So, in everything,
do to others what you would have them do to you…” - Matthew 7:12

Passive Candidates...

“In the end, you’re measured not by how much you undertake but
by what you finally accomplish.” – Donald Trump

Have you heard of the headhunters’ belief that passive candidates
are the ideal choices to fill in job vacancies?

Well, what then is the basis of such belief?

In this article, we talk about the main possible reason why such a
theory came into being.

PRODUCTIVELY EMPLOYED.

Why?

Again, the central idea here would be that the prospect has been
having constant practice on his field.

Notice the key words… Constant Practice.

Now, we then go back to the primary reason for the said perfect fit
and honestly ask ourselves… Is being “productively employed”
the ONLY way to have “constant practice”?

If “yes” then the story is over. This is like, if leaders are just born
then there’s no more argument. There would even be no need for
leadership workshops or trainings to improve such skills as it’s a
given, we can not improve our craft anymore. That, if it simply
boils down to innate leadership. Therefore, if being productively
employed is the only way to have constant practice then we could
throw “creativity” out of the window. There would be no need for us
to think out-of-the-box or to constantly seek ways to enhancing
ourselves as we “already” sit on that chair.

How many of you would then agree to such notion? To born leader
and hence, to being “productively employed” as the only way to have
“constant practice” in one’s field?

For those who do, you would surely be met by glaring eyes and
strong resistance brought about by common sense.

Why? Think again.

So now as we see, logic points out that being productively employed
is not the only way to have constant practice in one’s field… in fact,
there’s so many ways, it’s just a matter of being resourceful and
goal-oriented.

“In every soul there has been deposited the seed of a great future,
but that seed will never germinate, much less grow to maturity,
except through the rendering of useful service.”
- The Law Of Success

What then is the point here? Am I defending the unemployed??
Certainly not. The point is if you, headhunters, want to really
recruit the best… think out-of-the-box. If you really want creative
people, don’t be traditional in your manner of selection but
be creative yourself.

You have to grow past the age wherein the ideal candidate is the
one that fits the glass slippers. Instead, you have to move forward
with your kind of thinking… for no matter what form of technical or
hiring techniques you use, the results would be the same old thing
if the one who made it is still traditional in his thinking.

The better candidate is the one that understands the glass slippers
and could create one himself.

“I am going to build the kind of nation that President Roosevelt
hoped for, President Truman worked for, and President Kennedy
died for.” - Lyndon B. Johnson

The best candidate is not necessarily the passive candidate.
It’s not about the round peg for the round hole. The ideal candidate
you should look out for is the man who has that drive, that inner
strength yet easy-going personality… and that sincerity to serve.

And in case of career transitions, understand that it’s enthusiasm
and high learning ability that should be given that attention as well.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

For the candidate, it’s all a matter of being given that opportunity.

For the headhunter, it’s all about moving forward and articulating.

For the Leader, it’s just time to accept the origins of Great Talents.

Remember… “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve
before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” - Proverbs 22:29

Connecting Leaders...

The internet has gone to greater heights, not only has it made the
world smaller but it made the flow of information faster which is
crucial to decision making. We are now building virtual bridges
that connects people and business with more efficiency and range.

Yet, more important than what there is now is what is yet to come.
For us who eternally aspires, there’s always another mountain to
climb, there’s always a bigger goal to fulfill.

Mind you, our business in this world is to succeed; however, we
can not do it alone. People need people. And the internet has
indeed brought “networking” to a higher dimension.

Here are some of the most notable reasons for networking…

OPPORTUNITIES. This could be job or business. See, if you
really think about it… if man doesn’t need to eat, there would be
no need to work. Understand that work, studies, innovation…
they all start from man’s need to work and improve his way of life;
again, because man needs to eat.

We are all in this world together… still many are hungry, many are
selfish and so, many souls get lost in the worries of life…
ending up in acts of crime.

”If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need
but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue
but with actions and in truth.” - 1 John 3:17-18

Do I hear… “but I am not charity”?

Leaders, readers… have a heart yet this section is not really about
donating tithes. This section is about giving opportunities to those
who needs it. It’s about giving jobs.

One can not say that this person lacks experience, education or
what. Every person on earth has use, has value… and everything
can be learned. All they need is a chance to prove themselves.

Now being a True Leader that you are, it is to your benefit as well
if you know how to spot then hire talents. People are investments.
They help you make money. They help you further your cause.

“If you are successful remember that somewhere, sometime,
someone gave you a lift or an idea that started you in the right
direction. Remember, also, that you are indebted to life until you
help some less fortunate person, just as you were helped.”
- The Law Of Success

On the other hand, looking closely within, business opportunities
actually has the same effect as job opportunities. See, how do you
sell your products? Isn’t it through the cooperation of your people?
This is from production to sales and so on. You invest on people
to help your business. You recruit people to expand, to seek
greener pastures, to even help you close deals.

True Leaders know that people are not costs, people make things
happen. They are your greatest assets.

KNOWLEDGE. Many networkers say they connect to share what
they know, to help those seeking answers… and with the
mushrooming of online business networks, the answers we seek
are just on our fingertips. Ideas are exchanged. Experiences are
told.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do
to you…” - Matthew 7:12

Look, doing such acts of goodwill is not about religion, it’s about
being human. Life is temporary. It would be a waste of time to
pull each other down just to get up. For if we examine life closely,
what we plant is what we harvest.

We gain knowledge because we initiated. We succeed because
we planted and nurtured the seed of cooperation.

INTERESTS. As they say, “birds of the same feather flock together.”
This is reality, the basis of relationships, whether business or social.

Realize that when we connect with people, we do not immediately
have that “friend”… but, connecting provides that opportunity to
build a bond and grow in many ways, thereby, mutually benefiting
the parties concerned.

“Mr. Morgan buys his partners, I grow my own.” - Andrew Carnegie

It’s a small world and it has even become smaller. Business has
its ups and downs but life is not really hard. True Leaders are
those who can make things work for everyone, with courage and
confidence.

We’re not here to ignore cries for help nor to pull one down just to
get up… after all, “networking” is not simply about numbers but
about helping and growing in more ways than one. We can make
this planet a better place if we only learn how to truly care.

By connecting people, we connect Leaders… and with Faith,
we can now look forward to witnessing the power of networking.

Together, WE WILL MAKE IT.

Remember…
“Power grows out of Cooperation… strengthened by Connecting Leaders.”

The Valued AB Member...

“He that builds a fair house upon an ill seat, committeth himself
into prison.” - Francis Bacon

What happens when a company takes in an AB member?
More than one’s ability to perform his duties, what makes a good
AB member?

Is it just knowledge of business practices and its impact to the
organization and industry as a whole? Is it experience? What?
Remember, everything can be learned, though you have to learn
it fast enough. What then are the underlying factors to consider
in getting AB members?

Understand that the Advisory Board is a group of personalities…
some strong, some prideful, others what have you. Therefore,
one’s ability to communicate well is one key factor. With this
in mind, we then have to consider those who are able to work with
such diversity; while having the spine to say what’s wrong, what’s
really going on, and to stand his turf when necessary.

The Advisory Board isn’t there to be either so agreeable or
otherwise but formed to leave no stones unturned in its
quest for the gold.

Hence, dedication here is another important factor.

“A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country
is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than
that, no man is entitled to, and less than that, no man shall have.”
- Theodore Roosevelt

Conflict of interests… I am sure you know this. But then, it is not
about preventing one from engaging in other activities. It is about
understanding one’s responsibilities and being accountable for it.
It’s about giving one’s heart to his duties without prejudice to the
company he serves.

Consequently, integrity comes into play.
As Viscount Slims defines it… it is the quality which makes people
trust you. Integrity is wholeness but it also has a moral sense.
That is why most people virtually equate integrity with honesty or
sincerity. Although it is impossible to prove it, simply holding firmly to
sovereign values outside yourself grows a wholeness of personality
and moral strength of character. The person of integrity will always
be tested. And the first real test comes when the demands of the
truth or good appears to conflict with one’s self-interest or prospects.

“A man who will steal for me will steal from me.”
- Theodore Roosevelt

Now, if you have control over yourself then you have temperance,
a vital factor that displays your potential to be calm and analytical
in every situation… resulting in better decisions and your ability to
act appropriately.

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself
under control.” - Proverbs 29:11

In the end, it's just all about one’s personality.

Is your company ready to move forward?

Remember… “He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils:
for time is the greatest innovator.” - Francis Bacon

Virtual Leadership...

Remember those times when there was still no internet? Those
times when it took us more than a second to process international
transactions? Those times when we need to fly each time we need
to meet people? Well… that was just yesterday.

Today, with the advent of the internet, our way of life has changed
and of course, this includes how we conduct business, how we
recruit talents, and yes, how we lead.

“A fundamental new rule for business is that
the internet changes everything.” - Bill Gates

Virtual Leadership. How different is this from other means of
leadership? No, we are not talking about leadership styles here
but “means.” So, how do we go about virtual leadership?

A good example that is comparable though not totally the same
as virtual leadership is the “home-and-away” business set-up.
This takes the form of having, as we know, the company’s
headquarters empower its branches and mainly acts on
strategic goals.

Like the home-and-away set-up, virtual leadership is the central
brain that guides the rest of the company. However, unlike the
former, the latter is virtually connected 24/7… making a seamless
information link throughout the organization.

“You know you have built an excellent digital nervous system when
information flows through your organization as quickly and naturally
as thought in human being… it’s business at the speed of thought.”
- Bill Gates

This link that crosses borders and cultures is like putting the world
on the palm of your hands… as we now know, businesses then
becomes more efficient with automation but not necessarily replacing
human “power.” And with information flowing at the speed of thought,
we are able to fully utilize our people’s potentials while better
understanding our customers needs. In turn, decision-making then
becomes even more precise… this is the essence of Leadership.

“The CEO’s role in raising company’s corporate IQ is to establish
an atmosphere that promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration.”
- Bill Gates

Yet more than information flow, more than teamwork, what does
virtual leadership bring to the whole organization?

OMNIPRESENCE. We can never be in more than one place at the
same time, even the mythical superman can not; but with the
advancement in technology, Leaders can now serve and connect
their people and customers from all over the world.

FLEXIBILITY. As a Leader, the aim is to develop maximum flexibility
within our chosen field… so that we are the master at reading the
changes in situations and responding with the appropriate leadership
style. When we are able to widen our work knowledge and develop
the general abilities of leading others, this will increase our flexibility.

CONTROL. If we have omnipresence, if we have flexibility then
leading, as in this case globally, would be more effective. Policies
and procedures would be more aligned with objectives. Creativity
and problem-solving would be more proactive. Risk-taking would
be taken with more courage. And exploring opportunities would
yield more benefits and good investments, both human and capital.
All these spell one thing… better control.

We can not do everything and everywhere on our own, it’s a fact.
We need to properly utilize people and technology to serve our
customers better to meet our goals… this is Virtual Leadership.

It is all about blending.

Remember…
“I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.” - Woodrow Wilson

Situational Leadership...

If business is unpredictable as we know it, then we are periodically
faced with different situations to deal with. Social, technical or
economic developments make business seem like the weather.
This is the test of our mettle as a Leader.

How then do you face such situations? Do you just jump and swim?
This can’t be, if so, most all businesses would be at risk of losing
money more than achieving their objectives.

But what about courage? Isn’t it that courage is the one key quality
that can be found in successful Leaders?

Well, yes.

“Courage is the quality that guarantees all others.”
- Winston Churchill

But this courage does not mean business suicide. This courage does
not mean to put your organization at great risk of crumbling. This
courage is about having the guts to move forward… to explore…
to think out-of-the-box... to invest in potentials… to step out of your
comfort zone, your status quo. Courage is about not waiting for the
perfect, but bending rules to get the better.
This is how to create opportunities.

Consider an excerpt from a leadership book by Jeffrey J. Fox:

Become a member of the “shouldn’t have club”…
People who belong to the “should’ve club” are always saying,
“I should’ve done that”; “I could’ve done that”; or “I would’ve done that.”
The “should’ve club” is full of nondoers, the risk averse.
They never go for it. They are so afraid of losing,
they never plan to win.

The “should’ve club”... never get cut or scratched. They never miss
a shot in the last second. There are no reprimands, and they make
no waves. There is not an Arnold Palmer or Chris Evert or
Larry Bird in this club.

The “shouldn’t have club” is the place to be. This is the winners’ circle.
Each time you admonish yourself… there will be ten other times
when the results will prove you should have.

No guts, no glory.

…

But then, is courage enough? Well, you have just read some
thoughts from Winston Churchill. Thus, courage is the master key
but not the only key.

“Chance favors the prepared mind.” - Louis Pasteur

To lead effectively in different situations, you got to have the basic
knowledge of your field and grow it with time, thought, and practice.
Yet like courage, such knowledge and experience does not make
you into a leader, but you can not be without it. That does not mean
that leaders can not change fields, like becoming a Managing Director
of an electronic company after running a car assembly plant; but it
implies that they will not be successful unless they can quickly learn
the essentials of the new industry or occupation.

Still, courage and expertise or learning ability is not enough…
as a Leader, a vital trait would be to possess the kind of temperament
required by the working “situations” you are in.

Business has it’s ups and downs… and in times of crisis, one’s ability
to think fast yet accurately and then decide well is greatly determined
by one’s ability to get hold of himself.

Remember… “People who are incapable of relaxing should never be placed
in positions of responsibility.” - Lord Chalfront