Friday, June 4, 2010
TheLearningPlanet.com - Lauren's #1 Fan!
Woooooooo! Lauren Santagati from The Real Estate Mentor sends chills up and down this man’s spine. HILARIOUS!!! http://www.TheLearningPlanet.com
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Staying on the Cutting Edge By: Dave LeGrand
Months ago a bright young leader confided in me "I'm scared, I've hit a plateau in my life and quit stretching. I'm afraid I have reached my peak and have settled in."
Why is it that some leaders reach a zenith then plateau or enter a period of decline, while others continue to grow and expand, staying ahead of the pack even into old age?
6 Reasons Some Leaders Don't Last
Dream Fulfillment
Some leaders lose their punch because they finally get the leadership spot they've always wanted. They've arrived. So they quit working. These leaders work like crazy while they are "on the way up," but when they get what they want, they quit hustling. Several years ago this type of leader was brimming with ideas and suggestions about "how to do it better." In fact, one of the reasons he got his current spot was people thought he would actually do the things he always talked about. But he didn't. What he wanted was the position of leadership, not the work. And once he had his dream job, his energies turned to holding on to the position.
Leaders who last keep dreaming-and doing!
2. Losing Touch
Leaders become ineffective when they lose touch with the people they lead. By nature, leadership tends to remove the leader from the people. Leaders sense respect, an admiration, even an "offishness" which create distance between the leader and his people. Some leaders like this "pedistalization." In fact, a few leaders consider it a benefit of leading. Everyone asks you questions, gets your opinions, hears what you think, invites you to speak. Soon such a leader gets into the habit of talking ... talking ... speaking ... deciding ... declaring ... giving opinions ... showing everybody how ... giving answersThis leader talks everywhere he goes. Finally, he loses the greatest tool for keeping in touch-listening.
I remember one leader (who later lost his job) being spoken of in this way: "He must never turn on his hearing aid ... he never listens to anyone else." When a leader gets stuck in the transmit mode, soon he is totally out of touch with the people he is supposed to be leading. He no longer knows their needs, frustrations, reactions, or opinions ... even opinions about himself. The out of touch leader is the fellow who is totally shocked when he is not re-elected. He accuses someone of politicking or political hanky-panky, he never saw it coming. Why? Because he didn't listen. He was out of touch.
Leaders who last listen
3. Stagnant Growth
Some leaders were great when they became leaders, but quit growing. They forgot that the standard keeps rising every year. These leaders were on the cutting edge when elected, but they coasted while their followers kept growing. Soon this kind of stagnant leader is left in the dust by those he is supposed to be leading. The stagnant leader quits reading, quits attending thought-provoking seminars, and quits seeking stimulating discussions. This kind of person eventually becomes a ceremonial leader-most of his work is confined to showing up and playing the role. It's a sad sight to see a promising leader who was once the "best of the bunch" quit growing. Lasting leaders keep ahead of the pack by reading more, learning more, thinking more, and studying more.
Leaders who last keep growing
4. The Fear Factor
A one-word definition of leadership is "RISK." A real leader must boldly defy fear as he introduces the future into the present. Like Peter walking on the water, leaders must keep their eyes on the goal, not on the dangers. A fearful leader focuses on the potential political consequences of new ideas. He becomes conservative, fearing criticism and opposition. He wants to survive. He looks more to the next election than to the next generation. Mediocrity is crouched at this man's door. The fearful leader is not really a leader at all-he is a mere follower-a follower of those complainers he fears.
Leaders who last take action fearlessly
5. The Recruiter
One of the privileges of leaders is to select other leaders (in fact, it is more than a privilege-it is one of the main responsibilities of leadership).
Leaders who last recruit strong people
6.Burnout
I was visiting one of our late 30's rising stars last year when he sighed, "I'm tired and worn out .. just plain weary ... my energy is gone." He wasn't just speaking of how he felt after a hard day's work, but was referring to a general feeling of "core fatigue". As we spoke he confided, "I'm afraid the 90 hour weeks the last several years are taking their toll. I feel like a 60 year old man.”
As I typed this article, I stopped and counted. I've talked with at least fourteen worn- out leaders this past year. The pace of administering was getting them down. Or it was the criticism, opposition, or hard work. They were drained of their strength. Their eyes communicated a tiredness that a few days sleep or vacation at the beach wouldn't restore. They are burning out. Their tank is low.
In their weariness they even thought of dropping out at times. These rising workaholic stars shine brightly for a while, but they will be remembered eventually as the temporary flash of a falling star. Why? Because they didn't take time off to recharge their batteries.
Is it time to stop working so hard making a living and work toward making real money so you can spend more time with your family and retire rich?
http://www.roniscrazy.com/MGC10ASM4
Why is it that some leaders reach a zenith then plateau or enter a period of decline, while others continue to grow and expand, staying ahead of the pack even into old age?
6 Reasons Some Leaders Don't Last
Dream Fulfillment
Some leaders lose their punch because they finally get the leadership spot they've always wanted. They've arrived. So they quit working. These leaders work like crazy while they are "on the way up," but when they get what they want, they quit hustling. Several years ago this type of leader was brimming with ideas and suggestions about "how to do it better." In fact, one of the reasons he got his current spot was people thought he would actually do the things he always talked about. But he didn't. What he wanted was the position of leadership, not the work. And once he had his dream job, his energies turned to holding on to the position.
Leaders who last keep dreaming-and doing!
2. Losing Touch
Leaders become ineffective when they lose touch with the people they lead. By nature, leadership tends to remove the leader from the people. Leaders sense respect, an admiration, even an "offishness" which create distance between the leader and his people. Some leaders like this "pedistalization." In fact, a few leaders consider it a benefit of leading. Everyone asks you questions, gets your opinions, hears what you think, invites you to speak. Soon such a leader gets into the habit of talking ... talking ... speaking ... deciding ... declaring ... giving opinions ... showing everybody how ... giving answersThis leader talks everywhere he goes. Finally, he loses the greatest tool for keeping in touch-listening.
I remember one leader (who later lost his job) being spoken of in this way: "He must never turn on his hearing aid ... he never listens to anyone else." When a leader gets stuck in the transmit mode, soon he is totally out of touch with the people he is supposed to be leading. He no longer knows their needs, frustrations, reactions, or opinions ... even opinions about himself. The out of touch leader is the fellow who is totally shocked when he is not re-elected. He accuses someone of politicking or political hanky-panky, he never saw it coming. Why? Because he didn't listen. He was out of touch.
Leaders who last listen
3. Stagnant Growth
Some leaders were great when they became leaders, but quit growing. They forgot that the standard keeps rising every year. These leaders were on the cutting edge when elected, but they coasted while their followers kept growing. Soon this kind of stagnant leader is left in the dust by those he is supposed to be leading. The stagnant leader quits reading, quits attending thought-provoking seminars, and quits seeking stimulating discussions. This kind of person eventually becomes a ceremonial leader-most of his work is confined to showing up and playing the role. It's a sad sight to see a promising leader who was once the "best of the bunch" quit growing. Lasting leaders keep ahead of the pack by reading more, learning more, thinking more, and studying more.
Leaders who last keep growing
4. The Fear Factor
A one-word definition of leadership is "RISK." A real leader must boldly defy fear as he introduces the future into the present. Like Peter walking on the water, leaders must keep their eyes on the goal, not on the dangers. A fearful leader focuses on the potential political consequences of new ideas. He becomes conservative, fearing criticism and opposition. He wants to survive. He looks more to the next election than to the next generation. Mediocrity is crouched at this man's door. The fearful leader is not really a leader at all-he is a mere follower-a follower of those complainers he fears.
Leaders who last take action fearlessly
5. The Recruiter
One of the privileges of leaders is to select other leaders (in fact, it is more than a privilege-it is one of the main responsibilities of leadership).
Leaders who last recruit strong people
6.Burnout
I was visiting one of our late 30's rising stars last year when he sighed, "I'm tired and worn out .. just plain weary ... my energy is gone." He wasn't just speaking of how he felt after a hard day's work, but was referring to a general feeling of "core fatigue". As we spoke he confided, "I'm afraid the 90 hour weeks the last several years are taking their toll. I feel like a 60 year old man.”
As I typed this article, I stopped and counted. I've talked with at least fourteen worn- out leaders this past year. The pace of administering was getting them down. Or it was the criticism, opposition, or hard work. They were drained of their strength. Their eyes communicated a tiredness that a few days sleep or vacation at the beach wouldn't restore. They are burning out. Their tank is low.
In their weariness they even thought of dropping out at times. These rising workaholic stars shine brightly for a while, but they will be remembered eventually as the temporary flash of a falling star. Why? Because they didn't take time off to recharge their batteries.
Is it time to stop working so hard making a living and work toward making real money so you can spend more time with your family and retire rich?
http://www.roniscrazy.com/MGC10ASM4
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