Maximizing The Holidays...

Happy New Year!

Several hours from now, we would be flipping the page of a
wonderfully challenging year that brought us great positive
transformation on all levels.

Time flies.

As we confidently look forward to bigger times ahead, ask yourself:
“Am I really ready?”, “What else do I need to do to get ahead?”

Well, the holidays will be over sooner than you know it. And as
Louis Pasteur put it, “Chance favours the prepared mind.”

Yes, it’s still the holidays, so enjoy but make time. Try to use the
next three days to reflect… regroup… and reinforce.

REFLECT. Do a personal assessment on yourself. Ask questions
like… “Have I accomplished what I set out for the year?”, “Where
do I stand now?”, “What did I do wrong that delayed or blew up
projects?”, “What did I do right that made me not only attain goals
brilliantly but opened up opportunities for myself and the
company?”, “How would I like the coming year to be?”, “Am I
equipped to take on more?”.

“If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is
needed but skill will bring success.” - Eccl. 10:10

Write down objectives and carefully analyze what you have.

REGROUP. Once you have determined your objectives and
checked on your resources, lay out your strategies for the coming
year. Break it up on a quarterly basis, better yet, on a monthly
basis. Plan. Plan. Plan.

“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I would use 6 hours
sharpening my axe.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Planning is key to success.

REINFORCE. Strengthening your plans and resolve would be
more effective if you ask for honest opinions.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
~ Proverbs 27:17

Do not leave any stone unturned. Check and recheck. Understand
that no matter how good you are, still, nobody is perfect. Humility
then would serve you well. And bear in mind to keep your plans
flexible with contingency measures at hand. Realize that we may
be able to foresee the future but not the exact future, so listen.
Keep your eyes and ears open. Watch out for signals. And be
ready to decide and act.

Lastly, do not forget to pray.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will
succeed.” ~ Proverbs 16:3

On to the Future!

Remember…
“Maximizing the holidays can bring real benefits, it’s just a matter of desire."

Leading During The Holidays...

The holidays are here... the spirit of goodwill is felt and the celebration
echoes all over the world. It’s simply such a wonderful time of the year.

But as a Leader, how do you spend the holidays? Still work? Spend
time with family and friends?

Well, the latter certainly would be the better choice of course, after
all why do we work? What’s advancement if you don’t have loved
ones to share your triumphs? What is money and power if nobody
likes you?

Family and friends forms our major support group. They are specially
there when we need them most, thus, making us more resilient in life.
With that on the plate, wouldn’t it only be fair for us to spend quality
time with them and treat our family as our number one client?

Let’s look at an excerpt in Jeffrey J. Fox’s How to become CEO…

It is very easy to let your business career monopolize all your time
and energy. The more action-oriented you become, the more there
is to do. But to force your spouse and children into second place is
a mistake.

You need the support of your family. It will help you in your career.
You need an enthusiastic spouse who understands that some
sacrifices is necessary. Your family must be an ally in your future
plans.

Put your family on your calendar. Schedule as many soccer games
as possible. Schedule vacations. Leave work early if you are taking
your children trick-or-treating. Put family activities on your “To Do”
list. Give them high priority. Quality time with your family will reward
you a thousandfold.

When your spouse or children speak to you, put down the newspaper
or book or mute the TV, and turn and look at them while they are
speaking. You will strengthen that relationship and practice your
listening skills at the same time. It is also a very polite thing to do.

Respond to your family as you do to your job, or to that big, important
client.

Try to have fun with those who really matters the most in your life.
It will do you a lot of good- personally and professionally. Your health
will improve. You’ll rediscover your sense of humor. You’ll strengthen
those bonds and make life more meaningful.

“No one can foretell the possibilities of achievement available to man
whose wife stands at his back and urges him on to bigger and better
endeavor, for it is a well known fact that a woman can arouse a man
so that he will perform almost superhuman feats. It is your right and
your duty to encourage your husband and urge him on in worthy
undertakings until he shall have found his place in the world.”
- The Law Of Success

Merry Christmas and More Success.

Remember…
“Christmas has always been about sharing; when you share, you build more stock.”

Growing Through Sports...

Many treat sports as recreation, others as a form of exercise, yet
others as a relief from stress. But how many has ever considered
sports as an effective means to perfect Leadership skills?

Yes, you heard me right.

Leadership skills could be enriched by engaging in sports and
specially through Coaching. Whatever your level in the corporate
world, from staff positions to top management or whether you are
underemployed or job seeking, getting involved in sports would
help you grow your Leadership abilities.

How?

Take golf for example. What would you need to play the game well?
Clubs? More than equipment, what? You need focus, discipline,
self-control, perseverance, adaptability, and capacity for abstract
thought among others.

Sports is more than just sinking that shot. It’s about character
building and strengthening necessary to being That Leader. And
as we know, your attitude determines your altitude.

What about Coaching?

Well, while participating in sports develop character, coaching
improves a Leader’s functional skills: planning, organizing and
controlling; and specially boosts vital aspects in leading such
as people skills and teamwork.

Yet, in all these, how many of you truly realizes the great benefits
of sports in Leadership?

Many still frowns or downgrades what sports can bring forth. Many
still doubts the transferability of Leadership skills in a coach. You
can see it when a coach tries to go on a “career transition” to the
corporate world.

“Who told you it couldn’t be done? And what great achievement
has he to his credit that entitles him to use the word IMPOSSIBLE
so freely?” - The Law Of Success

Look now, how sure are you of a coach’s ability anyway? If you are
indeed a Leader then you would not judge a book by its cover. You
will not just browse his resume but analyze it and talk to him to see
what he is good at. You will review your company’s status and needs
then try to fit him in.

See, why not give an "outsider" that chance?

“Thousands of people walked over the great calumet copper mine
without discovering it. Just one lone man got busy with a pick and
found it. You may be standing on your ‘calumet mine’ right now
without knowing it…” - The Law Of Success

Being open-minded is a crucial part of being That Leader; but if
you are stuck in this status quo, then what are the chances for a
breakthrough?

Think. Even in schools, not all the "brilliant" are found at Harvard.

Remember… “To grow as a Leader, you got to get out of that shell.”

The Traveling Leader...

Traveling is one thing that a Leader needs to do to be a global
leader, this maybe through internet or actual travel. However,
in the long run, actual travel would certainly be even more
beneficial... let's start the exploration.

First, well, what about traveling? Why make such a fuss about it?
And what do we actually get out of it?

Readers, Leaders, mind you that Leadership is about people not
machines. It's about people management... about directing the
ship to its destination. See, while management is concerned with
the inanimate... material and financial resources, machinery,
products, marketing; Leadership, on the other hand, is concerned
with people; it is a psychological... or if you like, a spiritual
connection between human beings.

With this, good communication skills is definitely a key factor.

"To succeed or even to survive in this most difficult of roles requires
of the Chief Executive good health, humour, a resilience not given
to many, and the powers of persuasion and personal leadership
needed in both boardroom and workshop." - Jan Hildreth

Notice, for this quotation, the emphasis on forms of communication
is seen through the boldly printed letters.

But, what about travel? Logically, if you do not travel then how could
you communicate?

Nevertheless, traveling brings with you important aspects like having
the actual view of the investment... the feel of the environment and
culture... and most importantly, strengthening that human connection
that would lead to more cooperation and opportunities.

See, having an actual view of the investment would make you feel
more confident that you are indeed making the right decision.
While feeling the environment and culture makes you understand
your counterparts even more, thereby knowing your market better
and how to effectively motivate on this side of the fence. Just bear
in mind, respect and tolerance is essential anywhere in the world.

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

Still wait. Cooperation? Opportunities?
Yes, you heard me right. If you know how to play your cards well,
you could finally get that dream job offer... as for in many cases,
it is not what you know but who you know that gets you that job.

So, keep walking, talking, and listening to success...
and do not forget to show that million dollar smile.

Remember...
"Traveling creates Opportunities..."

The Altruistic Leader... Part III

In our past issues, we realize that without altruism, a Leader would
be next to infamous. Too bad? Well, we should then know that
Mom was right, learn to share your blessings with others. That even
a line from a superhero “movie” made sense, with great power
comes great responsibility.

All these are seriously a matter of putting words into action. Even
as the Holy Bible says…

“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
on truth.” - 1 John 3:17-18

Ok, some of you may not be Christians and it is with reference to
the Bible… but does that mean that you should not take pity and
do good to others? See, altruism is not about religion. We are
talking of values here. After all, we are all on earth together.

Let’s take a quick look at leadership and values. Note that the
original three-circles model (task, group, and individual) spoke only
about needs. But it is impossible to keep values out of the picture,
even if anyone wanted to do so. That is why the behavioural
sciences, which properly attempt to be value-free, can not cover the
whole ground. You have values as well as needs and they play
a vital part in your decisions.

Actually, the relationship of values and needs is very close… we
need what we value; we value what we need. But they are different.
Good and bad, truth and falsehood, right and wrong, profit and loss,
are not needs but they do affect conduct.

You may think this is a philosophical point, not a practical one; but
the “best” Leaders have something of the philosopher in them. So,
as a Leader, you will have to show awareness of the values of the
common enterprise and interpret them for people both inside the
group and outside it. That is why true leadership has an inescapable
moral, or even spiritual, dimension. Without it you can become a
good leader in the technical sense of the word… but not necessarily
be a leader for good.

Where does this leadership and values bring us then?
That efficiency in leadership greatly lies in understanding the
relationship between needs and values. That what you do in the
outside world is reflective of what you do in the inside. You can not
forever hide an elephant nor can you forever hide a good painting…
unless you destroy it, but really, you simply can not.

We reap what we sow.

If we are compassionate then we get compassion as well. Charity
is more effective if we teach one how to fish… not just give a fish.
It’s about giving the necessary assistance… not spoon-feeding.
It’s about understanding the situation… not judging the person.

If your connection needs a job, he is not giving you a burden…
but he is offering you his services… his expertise.

If you wish to be the Best Leader that you can be, then you should
be able to see beyond what your current situation is and how to fit
your connection’s expertise with your objectives. This means, you
should be able to see his application with Great Vision.

Leadership is a matter of opportunity. Opportunity is a chance to
show one’s ability. More than just strategizing and decision-making,
Leadership Ability speaks greatly of one’s people skills.
People skills is nothing without empathy.
Empathy is never a weakness, it is what gives you dedication
from your followers.

Can a Leader be without values?
Only if he is a tyrant.

Altruism echoes through time.

Remember...
"Altruism is the common denominator of Jesus, Gandhi, King to name a few.”

The Altruistic Leader... Part II

Previously, we delved into what altruism is; and confirmed that
indeed, altruism is an essential trait of a True Leader. For as we
know, a Leader can not keep pushing his agenda instead of a vision
that is beneficial to all, while neglecting his people on the other end.

What will happen then? A leader would lose his men to sickness,
betrayal or rebellion that would affect shared objectives in the long
run.

To lead is not only to know where you are going, but to be aware
of your back as well.

This calls for relationship building subtly incorporated in a Leader's
people skills.

Making Time To Lead
If I am to achieve a relationship with my colleagues which enables
us all to give our best, there needs to be a limit to the number which
directly report to me. A need to identify necessitates on both sides
the giving of time. Time to understand the other person, find out
what makes him tick, what are his strengths and weaknesses and
whether there are short cuts in getting through to that person for the
purpose of getting things done effectively. One of the great benefits
of a well established relationship is that it reduces the need for
lengthy dialogue although it does not and never should eliminate
regular briefing sessions.

Regrettably, we do not always have the time or, worse still, find the
time to get to know many of our colleagues well enough to exercise
this advantage. Leadership necessitates a two way acceptance of
a special relationship; it has to be built on mutual trust and respect
but it involves also a complex matrix of skills and sensitive
perceptions, perhaps the most important of all, listening and hearing;
the two are not necessarily synonymous. If I had to summarize what
leadership means to me, it would be the understanding and sharing
of a common purpose... without that, there can not be effective
leadership. (Ann Mansell, Texales Ltd. - CEO)

Mind you, we are dealing with people with feelings not robots. Yet,
a Leader does not necessarily have to drink with the gang. Getting
tipsy with anyone connected to his company is a sign of weakness.
It shows out of control.

Better still, treat all people as special. As Jeffrey J. Fox suggested,
excellent leaders make people feel that they...

... are asked, not questioned...
... are overpaid, not underpaid...
... are measured, not monitored...
... are people, not personnel...
... are sold on what to do, not told...
... are instrumental, not instruments...
... are workers, not worked...
... are contributors, not costs...
... are needed, and heeded.

See, people skills would not be as effective without sincerity. While
sincerity is seen in how naturally you practice altruism. And genuine
altruism echoes outside your organization onto your friends, business
associates and of course, your network connections.

Certainly, if you want to push your career or business to your
satisfaction... it would do well to apply generosity like rays of the sun.
As we call it in business... "word of mouth"; and this is how to build a
successful career or understanding. It all starts with genuine altruism.

Again, why did you network? For further collaboration?

That's fine... but then, the future starts now.

If you wait for the "perfect" time, for the "perfect" new product, for
conditions to be just right, you will never get started. Realize that
even the greatest of companies and products have been improved
since their beginning. Do not let "perfect" be the enemy of "better."

Procrastination ruins the path to success.

Your legacy begins with what you can do for others... NOW.

Remember...
"Altruism builds trust. Trust ignites cooperation. Cooperation powers ACHIEVEMENT."

The Altruistic Leader...

As a Leader, you are generally expected to have supporters or
subordinates; but as Dag Hammarskjold, former Secretary General
of the United Nations said...

"Your position never gives you the right to command. It only
imposes on you the duty of so loving your life that others can
receive your orders without being humiliated."

This is what a Leader is all about empathy... Altruism.

Do you still remember how you became a Leader? The struggles
you had to go through and all before arriving at what you are now?
Or some of you might want to say, "but I have never struggled,
I was always on top."

Well, although it's quite unthinkable, good for you then.

"A man's success is made up of failures because he experiments
and ventures everyday, the more he falls he gets, moves faster
on... I have heard that in horsemanship, he is not the good rider
who never was thrown, but rather that a man will never be a good
rider until he is thrown; then he will not be haunted any longer
by the terror that he shall tumble, and will ride whether he is
bound." - Emerson

Thus, failure can be your best teacher. It can also give you the
priceless gift of humility. As the Vice President of an American
Company once said, "I have had enough success to keep me
from despair, and enough failure to keep me humble."

Why did failure come to the picture when the issue is
about Altruism?

For nobody knows what will exactly happen to the future? And
with that in mind, our security really depends on our dealings
with others. if we act with "altruism" now then one day when we
need help... help will come knocking.

We have to give in order to receive.

Empathy is expected of good Leaders within the organization.
However, a wise man knows that he should not put all the eggs
in one basket; otherwise, growth would be limited and even
failure looms what with the uncertainty of business.

Altruism should then be extended outside of your working
environment onto your business connections.

See, if you can not show care to your connections, don't you
think you are just indrectly deceiving them? Oh my, how? Why?

First, why did you connect with them when there really would not
be anything going between you? Second, you deceived your
connection in a way that all you wanted was to learn or get
something from them without compensating.

Wait a minute.

Compensating? Do we have to pay to make friends or connect?
Everything has a price... but it's not exactly what you think it is
between friends for this compensation comes in the form of a
mutually beneficial connection. Meaning, you help each other in
whatever way possible.

Realize that there is really no sincerity in connecting if all you want
is simply to fill up your database. Sincerity is present only when
you understand that both parties have wants or needs to be met...
and are willing to do something about it.

"Think of the poorest person you have ever seen and ask if
your next act will be of any use to him." - Mahatma Gandhi

If this article has succeeded, it should have given you at least
some glimpses of what that "subtle and unmistakable touch of
love" means within the context of Leadership.

Remember...
"Altruism is exercising compassion to others and enhancing power to your future."