Ten Ways to Be A Leader
1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5. Let the other person save face.
6. Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement.
7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
8. Use encouragement.
9. Make the fault easy to correct.
10.Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.
Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) American writer and speaker
Fostering the entrepreneurial spirit!
Monday, October 28, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Leadership Characteristics
“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” - Arnold Glasow
Leaders have the authority of knowledge. Leaders have demonstrated ability/talent that colleagues and subordinates admire. To be a leader you cannot just be a talker ... you must bring something special to the situation.
Leaders are visionaries. Leaders see things, that others see as ordinary, in a way as to make them extraordinary. Leaders can make the complex seem simple. Leaders look beyond today.
Leaders produce positive change. Change is seen by leaders as an opportunity and a challenge. Leaders always question why things work, or are done, the way they are.
Leaders give their all. Leaders do not hold back. They do not allow themselves to be sidetracked and always exhibit a high degree of energy and ability.
Leaders are good listeners. They are able to really hear what people are saying and empower people to follow their vision.
“A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something.” - Wilson Mizner
Leaders are good communicators. They are clear and concise, complete and consistent. They create enthusiasm and excitement.
Leaders are students. They never stop learning and growing. They are willing, and able, to learn from their mistakes. Leaders read ... read ... and read!
Leaders take risks. They create change which requires risk because they visualize how things can be done better.
Leaders are ethical. People will not follow someone who cannot be trusted, consistently.
Leaders are optimistic. Trust and hope are the basis on which leaders empower other people. They believe (and have proven) they are winners!
Leaders have the authority of knowledge. Leaders have demonstrated ability/talent that colleagues and subordinates admire. To be a leader you cannot just be a talker ... you must bring something special to the situation.
Leaders are visionaries. Leaders see things, that others see as ordinary, in a way as to make them extraordinary. Leaders can make the complex seem simple. Leaders look beyond today.
Leaders produce positive change. Change is seen by leaders as an opportunity and a challenge. Leaders always question why things work, or are done, the way they are.
Leaders give their all. Leaders do not hold back. They do not allow themselves to be sidetracked and always exhibit a high degree of energy and ability.
Leaders are good listeners. They are able to really hear what people are saying and empower people to follow their vision.
“A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something.” - Wilson Mizner
Leaders are good communicators. They are clear and concise, complete and consistent. They create enthusiasm and excitement.
Leaders are students. They never stop learning and growing. They are willing, and able, to learn from their mistakes. Leaders read ... read ... and read!
Leaders take risks. They create change which requires risk because they visualize how things can be done better.
Leaders are ethical. People will not follow someone who cannot be trusted, consistently.
Leaders are optimistic. Trust and hope are the basis on which leaders empower other people. They believe (and have proven) they are winners!
Monday, October 21, 2013
What Do Effective Leaders Have in Common?
“The best executive is one who has the sense to pick good people to do what they want done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” – Teddy Roosevelt – US President
What characteristics do all leaders possess? Here are four to consider:
1. Commitment to a vision
2. A means to communicate that vision
3. Ability to build trust among associates
4. A positive self-image--leaders believe in themselves.
In addition to these four traits, a good leader also possess two vital people skills: communicating with and motivating employees.
Communication.
To be a leader, a manager can't believe he or she is on a pedestal. One company limited the dividing walls in its building so there is easy access to every employee with no knocking required. This company also holds formal meetings weekly for a group of managers who try to identify problems in each department.
A telecommunications company holds a meeting of the entire company every six months and once a year holds a series of roundtables. This company also conducts employee attitude surveys in which employees anonymously ask questions of upper-level management.
Motivation.
Can a leader best provide a sense of direction for his or her company by quantifying goals? There is mixed opinion on this.
One theory is that goals need to be specific for each individual. Target bonuses are seen as helpful.
The opposing view considers the adverse consequences of not meeting goals--if employees fall short of the goals, it can act as negative reinforcement. People have built-in insecurities, so goals must convince employees that they are incredible.
Some systems make everybody a winner. A goal system at IBM was mentioned as one illustration of positive reinforcement. IBM emphasizes respect for the individual by tilting the review system to the affirmative--70% of employees make the goals.
What characteristics do all leaders possess? Here are four to consider:
1. Commitment to a vision
2. A means to communicate that vision
3. Ability to build trust among associates
4. A positive self-image--leaders believe in themselves.
In addition to these four traits, a good leader also possess two vital people skills: communicating with and motivating employees.
Communication.
To be a leader, a manager can't believe he or she is on a pedestal. One company limited the dividing walls in its building so there is easy access to every employee with no knocking required. This company also holds formal meetings weekly for a group of managers who try to identify problems in each department.
A telecommunications company holds a meeting of the entire company every six months and once a year holds a series of roundtables. This company also conducts employee attitude surveys in which employees anonymously ask questions of upper-level management.
Motivation.
Can a leader best provide a sense of direction for his or her company by quantifying goals? There is mixed opinion on this.
One theory is that goals need to be specific for each individual. Target bonuses are seen as helpful.
The opposing view considers the adverse consequences of not meeting goals--if employees fall short of the goals, it can act as negative reinforcement. People have built-in insecurities, so goals must convince employees that they are incredible.
Some systems make everybody a winner. A goal system at IBM was mentioned as one illustration of positive reinforcement. IBM emphasizes respect for the individual by tilting the review system to the affirmative--70% of employees make the goals.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Finding a Mentor
A mentor is important to all business people but especially the entrepreneur. A mentor will help the entrepreneur avoid the pitfalls (and pratfalls) of owning a business and serve as a strong rudder when the water gets rough.
There are mentors everywhere – no matter where a person starts a business they can find a mentor. How?
Look for a person you can or do admire – someone is living the lifestyle your wish to live. Write them a note and then call them. Tell them you respect them and would like to buy them breakfast. Meet with them and let them know you would like them to serve as your mentor and why. Most people will be flattered and accept readily.
What is often not discussed is that BOTH the mentor and their “pupil” benefit from a good mentoring relationship. Mentors will learn and grow along with their entrepreneurial students.
There are mentors everywhere – no matter where a person starts a business they can find a mentor. How?
Look for a person you can or do admire – someone is living the lifestyle your wish to live. Write them a note and then call them. Tell them you respect them and would like to buy them breakfast. Meet with them and let them know you would like them to serve as your mentor and why. Most people will be flattered and accept readily.
What is often not discussed is that BOTH the mentor and their “pupil” benefit from a good mentoring relationship. Mentors will learn and grow along with their entrepreneurial students.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Success is not built on convenience!
When you change your thinking, you change your beliefs;
When you change your beliefs, you change your expectations;
When you change your expectations, you change your attitude;
When you change your attitude, you change your behavior;
When you change your behavior, you change your performance;
When you change your performance, YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!!
When you change your beliefs, you change your expectations;
When you change your expectations, you change your attitude;
When you change your attitude, you change your behavior;
When you change your behavior, you change your performance;
When you change your performance, YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!!
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