High Performing Leaders

Wow.....such an interesting article --so true!

The top things most successful leaders don't do:

1.  They don't do what everyone else does; They Always go above and beyond to achieve goals

2.  They don't waste time; They work hard on staying on course, and avoiding getting derailed.  They focus their time and energy on what matters most....not what matters least.

3.  They don't focus on what they can't do; They know their strengths, where they want to be, and then they quickly set course.  They put all of their energies on what is within their control -- laser focus.

4.  They don't think they can do it alone; The most confident leaders are humble, and seek out advice, assistance, and expertise.  Its not about them, its about their teams, and accomplishing the goals!

5.  They don't think that they always know best; The most confident leaders are curious to learn.  They listen to the ideas of others.  They listen to understand.

What else do you think should be on the list?

What else

"QUIT! GIVE UP! YOU'RE BEATEN!" They shout and plead,
There's just too much against you now, this time you can't succeed.
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.

And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children's race, young boys, young men; now I remember well.
Excitement, sure, but also fear; it wasn't hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope. Each thought to win that race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes of fire.
To win, to be the hero there, was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular, his dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the lead and thought, "My dad will be so proud."

But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace,
And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face.

So down he fell and with him hope. He couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell, his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win that race!"

He quickly rose, no damage done - behind a bit, that's all,
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself to catch up and to win,
His mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quite before with only one disgrace.
I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race.
But, in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face
That steady look that said again, "Get up and win the race."

So, he jumped up to try again. Ten yards behind the last.
If I'm to gain those yards, he thought, I've got to run real fast.
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten,
But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
There's no sense running anymore - three strikes and I'm out - why try?
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had flew away.
So far behind, so error prone, closer all the way.

I've lost, so what's the use, he thought, I'll live with my disgrace.
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up," an echo sounded low. "Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race."

With borrowed will, "Get up," it said, "You haven't lost at all,
For winning is not more than this, to rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to win once more. And with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit.

So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been.
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he'd rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered the winning runner as he crossed first place.
Head high and proud and happy; no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.

And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud;
You would have thought he'd won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his Dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me you won," his father said, "You rose each time you fell."

And when things seemed dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy - helps me in my race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and down and all,
And all you have to do to win - is rise each time you fall.
"Quit!" "GIVE UP, YOU'RE BEATEN." They still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says, "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"

-Dee Groberg

Very interesting article and list. 

I absolutely love this article! 

When you as a leader get to know yourself more and more...that means you know your hot buttons, blind spots, and overall how you are hard wired, you are able to start navigating effectively regardless of the weather and situation.

When you move into a place of curiousity, it places judgments and opinions in the parking lot, and now you are open to learn.

So often as leaders we may fall into debate situations where we are stuck in our opinion and are not open to learning. 

Why don't we all push ourselves to be curious the next time someone makes a suggestion that we may not agree with.  What would happen if instead of making a face and a statement that haults the idea -- we make a curious statement.  For example, "John, that sounds interesting -- I'm curious tell me what our team considered to come to that conclusion."  Then simply listen.

I believe we will all be surprised just how much we learn!  Try it and let us know what you think.

I don't think that anyone ever said that being a leader was easy!

I knew as a leader that many days my staff would not like the decisions that were made; however, as a leader my job was to make the tough decisions while explaining the business reasons and benefits the company aspired to gain from the decision. 

Being respected was my ultimate goal.  What are some tips you have for our readers?

Body Language is everything! 

Okay, we have all taken on some body language habits that we may not even be aware of.  If you want to find out, ask those at home who know you best.  Then read a few  books to increase your knowledge on body language.

One book that I often recommend is:  What Every Body is Saying.

What are some other books that you have read?

I absolutely love this article!

This is such an important questions that for years now we have been incorporating this question into many of our leadership programs. 

If you are a leader, ask yourself this question.  When you are finished then ask yourself how do I know that i am x, y, z, etc.

You see through our own lenses it may seem as though we are exhibiting certain traits and are providing the support, tools, development, and direction our teams need.  In reality the only way to know how we are doing is to ask those who we are serving.

Try it, and please share with us if you had any aha moments! 

Outstanding advice from 42 top leaders! 

Wouldn't it be nice if we could learn from other peoples' mistakes?  It is a given that we will make mistakes.  If we are growing, then  we most certainly are making mistakes.

The goal is to learn from them, and add value to others consistently. 

It is not easy receiving advice; however, the top most successful leaders are coachable and constantly seek out advice from experts in ther disciplines.  Are you open to advice?

Take a read, and leave a comment if you would like to share some advice for our readers.

Thank you!

Outstanding article!  In our fast paced global economy, changes are no longer happening within years -- they are happening in an instant.

Either we are working for a small company and we are susceptible to being acquired by a larger, stronger company -- and there will be change.

Or we are working for a large company who may be acquiring other companies -- and there will be change.

Either way as leaders we should equip ourselves with the tools, knowledge and skills on how to help drive successful change.  It starts with how we view change management and change leadership.

Do you have the tools and have the skiills to effectively lead your team and organization through change? 

Even if you do, this video and information will be valuable.

Enjoy!

Growth doesn't just happen doing the same thing over and over again.

You definitely have to know yourself to grow yourself; the question is what can you do or learn or apply to become a better leader?

The most successful leaders have one thing in common...they are life-long learners.  They surround themselves with experts who can help them get to where they want to be faster.

What is your plan to develop yourself now?  You have to coach yourself before you can coach your team.

What is your plan to develop your people?  Are you as committed to their success as you expect them to be about you and the shared goals?

Please share with us what you are doing so we can all learn from eachother.

Excellent article!

Regardless of differences in age, cultures, communication styles, and positions.  Get to know your employees....not as employees; but, as people. 

When you find out what is important to your team -- listen to them, understand them, support them, empower them, and value their contributions.

Your employees don't expect you to be perfect...they do expect you to above anything else....care!

Excellent article! 

It mirrors the Good to Great philosphy -- when there is recognition to be had, leaders give the credit away to their team.  When a mistake is made, the leader takes the hit yet allows their team to learn from their mistakes.