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Dictionary.com defines a Manifesto as “a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives.” As a way to say thank you for your continued support, I will be giving away my kindle book “The Manifesto Of An Influential Leader” from November 3rd through November 7th.
This manifesto is the result of thoughts and concepts compiled over the last two years and that were used in creating my 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership.
In everything that I do, I try and add value and provide a way forward. This manifesto provides a teaching technique similar to that which I used earlier this year in Guatemala with the John Maxwell Organization. I was part of a team of about 150 coaches that trained over 20,000 Guatemalan leaders in the areas of leadership and personal growth. We literally watched a Nation change that week and I want you to have this same opportunity!
Back to the definition. I would like to better describe the “why” behind this manifesto based on the definition above.
A PUBLIC DECLARATION OF INTENTIONS
Clearly publishing a document on Amazon makes it public, but I would like to better address my intentions. The intent of this manifesto is to provide a resource that is user friendly and easily put into use by following simple instructions and guidelines. This manifesto is intended to be used by anyone that is currently facing any number of the challenges that I have identified. It can be used one time or numerous times depending on the needs, desires and commitment of the reader.
OPINIONS
We all know about “opinions.” I would rather describe my opinions as thoughts based on my personal experiences over the past 48 years on this earth, 30 plus years in the business world, 26 years of marriage, and as the father of two sons currently attending college. I have drawn conclusions (ok – opinions) based on my experiences and trust me, I have had as many bad as good. My hope is that you can learn from these experiences.
OBJECTIVES
My objective is simple. To provide a tool that you can use to improve your personal or professional life. Ideally, this would include your friends, family and your team at work. I have seen this work! It is important to know that this manifesto will not solve your problems or eliminate the challenges that you are currently facing. That has to come from you. This manifesto will however, provide you a way to accomplish that.
MOTIVES
My motive is also simple. As stated before, this works. I have used this in my own life to move the needle. To improve my attitude. To overcome adversity. To not only change my circumstances, but change myself. Have you ever had something you thought was really cool and you couldn’t stand the thought of keeping it to yourself? You just had to share it with others. Well, that’s what I am doing. I want you to have it and use it. My compensation is knowing that it made a difference in your life and hopefully in the lives of those around you. If you feel inclined, an amazon review would be much appreciated.
No up-sell or hidden agenda here. I simply want you to experience the success that I have using this. I encourage you to share it with as many people as you can. There are no additional things to buy and you don’t even need to go anywhere. Although it has been framed to be used in a group setting, the principles also apply to an individual. So go on, check it out. Trust me, you have everything to gain and really nothing to lose.
A very simple challenge today: CLICK HERE
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Barry Smith 11/3/13 photo by Author © Building What Matters 2013
The post The Manifesto Of An Influential Leader (Kindle Download) appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 12: Our Communication appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
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This is the 12th of 16 weekly installments on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership. Every Thursday, I will break down the 5 Pillars and show you how becoming and influential leader will not only improve your job skills but your personal life as well.
The 5 Pillars is a project that I have been working on for almost two years and had a great time with the official launch of “The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership” Coaching program on May 23th.
Why the 5 Pillars? I have spent more than 30 years in the business world and although it has been primarily in the Construction world, the 5 Pillars philosophy works across all industries. In fact, while developing this program I realized that it can have a significant impact on your personal life as well.
I will break down each Pillar into three sections, personal, business and community. Any growth or improvement needs to start within, with the end goal of influencing the community you live in. In this post we will take a look at BUSINESS COMMUNICATION.
Whoever said “Communication is the key to everything” was right. John Maxwell dedicated an entire book, Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, to connecting with others when we communicate. Never forget that it takes two to communicate.
ACCOUNTABILITY
My two words that are required to achieve almost anything … intentionality and accountability. Being held accountable is the one thing that will get you over the hump. The simple fact is that very few of us can successfully hold ourselves accountable. Make your goals known and have someone hold you to them.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Some people are good at it. Some people are bad at it. Most people simply run from it. The longer you put off resolving conflict, the more difficult it will become. Communicate early and often and although conflict is inevitable, it can also be a great way to come up with new ideas and concepts. The key is to remain calm, rational and respectful. Right or wrong, everyone’s opinion matters. Approach conflict with any other mindset than that and you will struggle.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Funny that I include this, when I actually don’t believe it is possible. I believe that we really can’t manage time. We can only manage ourselves. The best way to manage time is to schedule out your time (in writing) and follow the plan. If you want to call it time management, fine, but you better be clear on what it is that you are managing.
RECOGNITION
Recognizing the accomplishments of others will not only provide the accolades they deserve but will help fulfill the human desire to feel wanted. Recognition for a job well done actually rates higher on the list of what keeps employees loyal and engaged than monetary compensation. Interesting … how much does it cost to say Thanks?
PROBLEM SOLVING
Solving problems can be done much easier when there are many hands involved in the process. When faced with a problem, make sure everyone knows exactly what it is and more importantly, the expected outcome upon solving the problem. You would be amazed at how many times two people are working on the same project, headed in completely different directions.
DECISION MAKING
Making a decision requires saying “NO” to something. You have to say no in order to say yes. “Keeping your options open” only makes the decision that much more difficult when you finally make it. Most of the time we know the answer, we are just afraid to say no.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Everyone needs a little encouragement now and then, right? Wrong! Most people need a lot of encouragement a lot of the time. Never assume that all is good. Be positive and encouraging even in the best of times. We can always do just a little better and sometimes all it takes is a little nudge.
PLANNING
Do you have a plan? Is it a good plan? Life doesn’t happen by accident and if you want to be in control of your life, you better have a plan. Plan your work and work your plan and you will have all the time you need to succeed.
AFFIRMATION
I believe that what most people want is to be valued. That happens through affirmation. Even though many people could not answer the question “What is your purpose” they want to feel like they are serving one. Use every chance you get to make someone feel like they matter.
The 5 Pillars coaching program will take each topic to a much deeper level. We will explore open ended questions and how they are directly impacting your life and more specifically in this segment, will allow you to evaluate and understand your role in growing your business.
In the mean time, start asking the type of questions that will result in better answers. When you ask “How can I” you get an answer that will move the needle. “What can I do today to improve the way we communicate together?” Answer that question, act on it, and you will succeed.
RELATED:
- Click here to see Part 1
- Click here to see Part 2
- Click here to see Part 3
- Click here to see Part 4
- Click here to see Part 5
- Click here to see Part 6
- Click here to see Part 7
- Click here to see Part 8
- Click here to see Part 9
- Click here to see Part 10
- Click here to see Part 11
- For more on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership and to view my video click here
- To view my guest post in the 2013 International Leadership Blogathon click here
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/27/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 12: Our Communication appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 11: My Communication appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>This is the 11th of 16 weekly installments on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership. Every Thursday, I will break down the 5 Pillars and show you how becoming and influential leader will not only improve your job skills but your personal life as well.
The 5 Pillars is a project that I have been working on for almost two years and had a great time with the official launch of “The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership” Coaching program on May 23th.
Why the 5 Pillars? I have spent more than 30 years in the business world and although it has been primarily in the Construction world, the 5 Pillars philosophy works across all industries. In fact, while developing this program I realized that it can have a significant impact on your personal life as well.
I will break down each Pillar into three sections, personal, business and community. Any growth or improvement needs to start within, with the end goal of influencing the community you live in. In this post we will take a look at PERSONAL COMMUNICATION.
Whoever said “Communication is the key to everything” was right. Effective communication skills not only will deliver your message correctly, but will allow you to continue to move in a positive direction towards your goals.
CHARISMA
Charisma is the unique quality that some people have that enables them to add expression such as body language and tonality to the way in which they communicate. Clearly some people are more charismatic than others, but we all have the ability to express our words in a passionate way.
PREPARATION
Nothing is worse that listening to someone who has no idea what they are talking about. Actually there is one thing worse … when they act like they do know when they don’t. If you are not prepared to speak or answer intelligently, don’t!
ENTHUSIASM
Unlike charisma, enthusiasm is simply being excited about what your communicating. I believe charisma is something you have but enthusiasm is contagious. Be enthusiastic in your communication and others will be as well.
LISTENING
Listening is the most important part of communication. When we listen to what is being said we show respect. We also actually understand better what is being said by keeping our mouths closed. Focus on the individual that is speaking and let them finish before you interject. I was once told, “don’t write yourself into the story, let the person you are speaking with do it for you.”
INTUITION
I believe intuition is most powerful when we are good listeners. Intuition is the product of our life experiences that have been stored away in our subconscious as manifested by a triggering event. We all have it, but it takes awareness to access it.
AUTHENTICITY
Nobody likes a fake. If you come across as authentic, people will value your words or your message. If you do not appear authentic, you will lose the interest of your audience fast and forever.
PATIENCE
Remember that listening thing? Sometimes it requires a great deal of patience to hear another person out. We have a tendency to want to interject with the “genius” contribution we just came up with. Be patient and let the other person finish and you will gain their confidence in you.
HUMILITY
Be willing to admit your mistakes and do not boast of your successes. Humility is a great way to show others that you are sincere and truly care. The opposite side of humility is arrogance. Have you seen anything good come from that lately?
HONESTY
Honesty is the best policy. You never have to remember the truth and once you are viewed as an honest person, you become an influential person. People won’t buy in to what you are doing if they don’t buy into you.
The 5 Pillars coaching program will take each topic to a much deeper level. We will explore open ended questions and how they are directly impacting your life and more specifically in this segment, will allow you to evaluate and understand your role in growing your business.
In the mean time, start asking the type of questions that will result in better answers. When you ask “How can I” you get an answer that will move the needle. “What can I do today to improve the way I communicate with others?” Answer that question, act on it, and you will succeed.
RELATED:
- Click here to see Part 1
- Click here to see Part 2
- Click here to see Part 3
- Click here to see Part 4
- Click here to see Part 5
- Click here to see Part 6
- Click here to see Part 7
- Click here to see Part 8
- Click here to see Part 9
- Click here to see Part 10
- For more on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership and to view my video click here
- To view my guest post in the 2013 International Leadership Blogathon click here
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/20/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 11: My Communication appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 10: Their Growth Plan appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>This is the 10th of 16 weekly installments on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership. Every Thursday, I will break down the 5 Pillars and show you how becoming and influential leader will not only improve your job skills but your personal life as well.
The 5 Pillars is a project that I have been working on for almost two years and had a great time with the official launch of “The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership” Coaching program on May 23th.
Why the 5 Pillars? I have spent more than 30 years in the business world and although it has been primarily in the Construction world, the 5 Pillars philosophy works across all industries. In fact, while developing this program I realized that it can have a significant impact on your personal life as well.
I will break down each Pillar into three sections, personal, business and community. Any growth or improvement needs to start within, with the end goal of influencing the community you live in. In this post we will take a look at COMMUNITY GROWTH.
I think we all want to leave a legacy and a big part of that is how you impact your community. The truth is that only a small percentage of us will have a significant impact on our community. Will you be in that percentage?
PRIORITIES
It will no doubt be challenging to do the things that will positively impact your community but the reward will be worth the effort. As stated earlier, only a small percentage of people will impact the community around them.
For your community to grow and for you to be part of that growth, you need to know what is needed within that community. What are the priorities? Don’t let what you want to give your community get in the way of what they really need. Always answer the “Why is this a win-win?” question when helping your community grow.
FULFILLMENT
I work with many “difference makers” in my community and one thing is common across the board. They do what they do, not for financial gain or recognition, but because it make them feel good. Giving back to your community provides fulfillment to the basic human desire to feel valued. There is no greater reward than knowing that you have “done your part” to make a difference in the lives of others.
GOALS
Most of us focus on our personal goals and put most of our effort into them. Honestly, I am probably no different. What I have observed however, is that when my own goals are in alignment with the goals of my community, I receive help along the way in achieving them. Zig Ziglar said; “If you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want.” He was right!
CREDIBILITY
If you have any desire to be successful, you better plan on being credible in the eyes of others. Credibility among a few is good but investing yourself in your entire community will bring the credibility needed to be recognized as an influential leader.
PERFORMANCE
Performance, regardless of how you have defined it, is basically defined by how it is perceived. If you think you have performed well but no one else has seen any benefit from your actions, have you really made a difference? Your level of performance will be evaluated by those that you impact. The things that you excel in should produce positive results in your community as well.
The 5 Pillars coaching program will take each topic to a much deeper level. We will explore open ended questions and how they are directly impacting your life and more specifically in this segment, will allow you to evaluate and understand your role in growing your business.
In the mean time, start asking the type of questions that will result in better answers. When you ask “How can I” you get an answer that will move the needle. “What can I do today that will improve my community?” Answer that question, act on it, and you will succeed.
RELATED:
- Click here to see Part 1
- Click here to see Part 2
- Click here to see Part 3
- Click here to see Part 4
- Click here to see Part 5
- Click here to see Part 6
- Click here to see Part 7
- Click here to see Part 8
- Click here to see Part 9
- For more on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership and to view my video click here
- To view my guest post in the 2013 International Leadership Blogathon click here
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 6/6/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 10: Their Growth Plan appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 9: Our Growth Plan! appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>This is the 9th of 16 weekly installments on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership. Every Thursday, I will break down the 5 Pillars and show you how becoming and influential leader will not only improve your job skills but your personal life as well.
The 5 Pillars is a project that I have been working on for almost two years and had a great time with the official launch of “The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership” Coaching program on May 23th.
Why the 5 Pillars? I have spent more than 30 years in the business world and although it has been primarily in the Construction world, the 5 Pillars philosophy works across all industries. In fact, while developing this program I realized that it can have a significant impact on your personal life as well.
I will break down each Pillar into three sections, personal, business and community. Any growth or improvement needs to start within, with the end goal of influencing the community you live in. In this post we will take a look at BUSINESS GROWTH.
For you soloprenuers, your business growth journey may be a one-man (or woman) show. For bigger business, it may include hundreds or thousands. Either way, adding value to your clients or customers is the goal.
ACTION
Wanting to do something and knowing what it is are obviously important pieces of expanding and improving your business. Just remember … all the knowledge in the world means nothing without action. Plan your work and WORK YOUR PLAN.
ADVERSITY
There is no real gain in life without overcoming some type of adversity. Overcoming adversity is something we are faced with every day. There is truth to the saying “No Pain, No Gain”, the question becomes “How much pain are you willing to overcome to succeed?”
CONSISTENCY
Consistency not only reinforces your habits, but also represents who you are. Being consistent builds trust and credibility. Lack of consistency creates doubt and fear.
GRATITUDE
Never, never, never forget that without your clients and customers, your business would not survive. Everyone provides recognition and interest before the sale. Successful people recognize after the sale. “Thank you” may be the most powerful two words in your business plan.
EDUCATION
Leaders are life long learners. Reading, attending seminars, webinars and workshops and collaborating with like-minded individuals are just some of the ways to increase your knowledge in your specific business lane. What are you doing, right now, to educate yourself further in your field?
EMPOWERMENT
If you are a soloprenuer, where do you draw your motivation? If you are a business owner, how are you empowering your people? If you are an employee, how are you being empowered or better yet, empowering others? Being believed in and believing in others are critical to forward movement.
PRODUCTIVITY
Are you simply busy, or are you actually getting things done? Busyness does not equal productivity. Next time you make a list, don’t just write down the things you need to do, write down why you need to do them. There is a big difference!
DEPENDABILITY
How dependable are you? Much like consistency, dependability says a lot about who you are. Being dependable tells others that you care. If you want them to care, you better show them that you do.
COMMITMENT
Commitment was my choice for my “One Word” for 2013. Everything, yes everything we do in business requires commitment at some level. Your level of commitment will be directly related to why you are doing what you’re doing. If you are weak on commitment, you might be weak on your why. Just a thought!
The 5 Pillars coaching program will take each topic to a much deeper level. We will explore open ended questions and how they are directly impacting your life and more specifically in this segment, will allow you to evaluate and understand your role in growing your business.
In the mean time, start asking the type of questions that will result in better answers. When you ask “How can I” you get an answer that will move the needle. “What can I do today that will help take my business to the next level?” Answer that question, act on it, and you will succeed.
RELATED:
- Click here to see Part 1
- Click here to see Part 2
- Click here to see Part 3
- Click here to see Part 4
- Click here to see Part 5
- Click here to see Part 6
- Click here to see Part 7
- Click here to see Part 8
- For more on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership and to view my video click here
- To view my guest post in the 2013 International Leadership Blogathon click here
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 5/30/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 9: Our Growth Plan! appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 8: My Growth Plan! appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>This is the 8th of 16 weekly installments on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership. Every Thursday, I will break down the 5 Pillars and show you how becoming and influential leader will not only improve your job skills but your personal life as well.
The 5 Pillars is a project that I have been working on for almost two years and am looking forward to officially launching “The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership” Coaching program on May 23th.
Why the 5 Pillars? I have spent more than 30 years in the business world and although it has been primarily in the Construction world, the 5 Pillars philosophy works across all industries. In fact, while developing this program I realized that it can have a significant impact on your personal life as well.
I will break down each Pillar into three sections, personal, business and community. Any growth or improvement needs to start within, with the end goal of influencing the community you live in. In this post we will take a look at PERSONAL GROWTH.
Our personal growth journey is highly dependent on two things; Intentionality and Accountability. Deciding to do something accomplishes little. You have to do it. In more cases than not, you need to be held accountable to achieve your goals. Let’s take a look at some of the areas we need to be growing in daily.
CHARACTER
It has been said that the true test of character is how you act when nobody else is looking. I think there is much truth to that statement, however, the real truth is that people are looking. What do you think people see when they are looking at you?
ATTITUDE
Most of us have a tendency to blame something or someone when something goes wrong. This is usually reflected in our attitude. The simple fact is that we are the only one that can determine our attitude. Simply put, it is a choice. Only we can decide how our attitude will be and the thing often overlooked is how contagious that attitude can be.
PERSONAL GROWTH
We all know the things that we need to do, but how many of them are we actually doing? Personal growth is what takes us to the next level. Determine where you want to go and you will know how you need to grow.
SACRIFICE
One of my mentors once told me that to say yes to one thing is saying no to another. I never really looked at it that way but it’s true and sometimes saying no means that you have to sacrifice something. What is one thing in your life right now, that you could sacrifice, to make room for something else more important?
PERSEVERANCE
We have all heard the phrase “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” As related to that statement, how tough are you? Winston Churchill said; “Never, never, never give up.” Sounds like pretty good advice to me. You really have to ask yourself the question; “How bad do I really want it.”
DISCIPLINE
Jim Rohn said; “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” When you think about it, he is spot on. To set a goal is one thing, to accomplish it, is entirely another. New Year’s resolution anyone! Have someone hold you accountable and you will be amazed at how much better you get regarding discipline.
INTEGRITY
What things prompt you to compromise your integrity? We all have a certain value system that when asked a question, the answer is obvious, yet when actually tempted, the answer becomes much more clouded. What things do you do in your life that demonstrate you are a person of integrity? Maybe this is a difficult question to answer.
SELF-CONFIDENCE
Self-confidence may be the most important piece in your personal journey of growth. I think the most important thing we can do to grow is to believe in ourselves. You can have the same impact on others by believing in them as well. Henry Ford said; “If you think you can or you think you can’t you are probably right.” Do you agree with Mr. Ford?
SELF-CONTROL
Self-control is the ability to choose the right thing over the wrong thing. Maybe it’s the food you eat, the words you say or the behavior you exhibit. The ability to control your actions comes from the ability to make a decision. Putting thought into the “why” behind that decision will always push you in the right direction.
The 5 Pillars coaching program will take each topic to a much deeper level. We will explore open ended questions and how they are directly impacting your life and more specifically in this segment, will allow you to evaluate and understand how you alone are the only one who can craft your personal growth journey.
In the mean time, start asking the type of questions that will result in better answers. When you ask “How can I” you get an answer that will move the needle. “How can I be held accountable to accomplish the things I know I need to do?” Answer that question, act on it, and you will succeed.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR THE MAY 23RD CALL
RELATED:
- Click here to see Part 1 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 2 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 3 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 4 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 5 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 6 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 7 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- For more on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership and to view my video click here
- To view my guest post in the 2013 International Leadership Blogathon click here
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 5/23/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 8: My Growth Plan! appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post Everything Rises And Falls On LEADERSHIP! appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>It is with a heavy heart that I draft this post today. Several lives have been lost as a result of the devastating tornado in Oklahoma yesterday. Along with the tragedy, come many stories of survival and perseverance.
Every time mother nature throws something at us, I am reminded of the leadership that is needed to pick up the pieces in an effort to bring back some type of order within the chaos. I recognize that lives have been changed forever, but in reality, we are forced to move on. Not forget about those lost, but move forward in honor of their lives and their memories.
The interesting thing to me is how so many step up to the plate when there are no other options. The need is there, and countless people simply step to the plate and do what needs to be done with no expectation of anything in return.
I think John Maxwell is right when he says “Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership.” The community impacted by this latest event will recover. They will recover because leaders will step to the plate and lead them forward.
The lives that were impacted by the tornado will be changed forever and I won’t pretend to understand the challenges that they face. But this I know, as a community they will pull together. They will encourage each other and lift each other up when the memories of those lost are pulling them down.
They will find strength in each other knowing that they must go on because they need to be there for each other. They will rise again and they will do it on the leadership of those within the community that understand and believe that to do so is the only option.
SERVANT LEADERS provide WISDOM and COURAGE to MENTOR, DEVELOP and INFLUENCE others.
Leaders use their VISION and AUTHORITY to deal with CRISIS MANAGEMENT. They depend on their INNER CIRCLE to NAVIGATE challenging times and MANAGE the resources they have available.
When there is ABUNDANCE, leaders give GENEROUSLY. PRIDE will be put aside and STRATEGY will result in building TRUST and creating a LEGACY that will make a difference.
No question or challenge today, but a request: Please keep those impacted by the events in Oklahoma on Monday in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with the challenges they face in recovering from this tragic event.
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On May 23rd, at 8:00 pm ET, I will be hosting a free call introducing “The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership” Coaching Program.
This will be a content filled call that will not only teach you about influential leadership but also about leading an intentional and successful life. The words in capitals above are topics within Pillar #5 – LEADERSHIP.
This is the final of five posts related to the 5 Pillars that will go out prior to the call on the 23rd.
For more information and to register for the free call CLICK HERE.
To see the first video on Pillar #1 – AWARENESS click here
To see the second video on Pillar #2 – ENVIRONMENT click here
To see the third video on Pillar #3 – GROWTH click here
To see the fourth video on Pillar #4 – COMMUNICATION click here
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Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 5/21/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post Everything Rises And Falls On LEADERSHIP! appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post Do Your COMMUNICATION Skills Tell People You Care? appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>One of my favorite quotes by John Maxwell is “People don’t care about how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
I believe that the best way to let people know how much you care is to communicate in a way that tells them you do.
One of the biggest challenges I have had to overcome in an ongoing effort to improve my communication skills is active listening. In the past, I have had a tendency to respond with my opinion before the other person had even finished their thought. My guess is that if you are willing to be honest with yourself, you have been guilty of the same act.
It takes effort to be a great communicator and we all know the importance of communication. The problem lies in the fact that we are typically more concerned about adding value with our “opinion” then we are will simply listening to someone else’s. OK guys, I know we are “fixers” and have some strange desire to save the world by solving every problem that comes along. Guess what? Most of the conversations we are involved in, don’t require any fixing.
Have you ever wondered why women speak more words per day then men do? It’s because they are more concerned about the relationship and less concerned about “fixing things.” Intentional or not, women are better communicators. Their genetic makeup allows them to care more about what is being said.
Alright, this post is not about a battle of the sexes, it is about being a better communicator and how that can improve our lives and raise our level of success in whatever we are doing.
The thing that people want more than anything is to feel valued. The best way we can do this is to validate their feelings. I know … guys don’t talk about feelings, right? Well, that is right to a certain extent. Remember when I said that women are better communicators? This is why – their focus is on the relationship.
Again, this has statistically been shown to be true so it’s not just me saying it. The fact is, women are better at validating the feelings of the person they are communicating with. So let’s all take note here, not of the gender issue, but of the simple fact that validating a person for how they feel, regardless of how you may really feel, opens the door to interject what you believe and creates an environment that is conducive to better “two-way” communication.
Are you being HONEST and AUTHENTIC when communicating? Do you practice PATIENCE when LISTENING? Are you ENTHUSIASTIC and CHARISMATIC about the things that matter to you?
Do you use words that AFFIRM and ENCOURAGE? Does your DECISION MAKING help in PROBLEM SOLVING and CONFLICT RESOLUTION? Are you being held ACCOUNTABLE for your PLANNING and TIME MANAGEMENT practices?
Are you clear on your MISSION and your VALUES? Is MANAGEMENT being RESPONSIBLE in protecting your REPUTATION and in providing CUSTOMER SERVICE?
We need to let our conversations focus on the person that we are communicating with and allow them to write us into the conversation. Until that happens, they are not going to care what we know anyway.
So today’s encouragement is this: The next time you want someone to care about what you know, you better let them know how much you care!
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On May 23rd, at 8:00 pm ET, I will be hosting a free call introducing “The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership” Coaching Program.
This will be a content filled call that will not only teach you about influential leadership but also about leading an intentional and successful life. The words in capitals above are topics within Pillar #4 – COMMUNICATION.
This is the fourth of five posts related to the 5 Pillars that will go out prior to the call on the 23rd.
For more information and to register for the free call CLICK HERE.
To see the first video on Pillar #1 – AWARENESS click here
To see the second video on Pillar #2 – ENVIRONMENT click here
To see the third video on Pillar #3 – GROWTH click here
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Barry Smith 5/20/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post Do Your COMMUNICATION Skills Tell People You Care? appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post GROWTH: You Will Only Go As Far As You Are Willing To GROW appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>Carl Jung said “The greatest tragedy of the family is the unlived lives of the parents.” Stop and read that again. I believe that this is true not just for parents but for everyone.
Living a fulfilled, meaningful life requires growth. One of my focus points as a coach, trainer, speaker and author is growth. Whenever I address the subject of growth, I always bring up the two components required for growth. Intentionality and Accountability.
The first two Pillars of my 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership are Awareness and Environment. Both of these are critical to our growth. Once we realize where we are and where we want to be and how that journey will be impacted by the environment we find ourselves in, we are ready to grow.
But as I said, growth only comes through Intentionality and Accountability. Certainly there are many other factors that will determine how you grow and the rate in which you do it, but the first step is always intentionality.
Every time I use the word “try” when speaking with one of my coaches or mentors, I hear the silence on the other end of line. I love this quote from one of the greatest visionaries in history, Yoda. “Do or do not, there is no try.” Trying get’s you to the line of intention, but accomplishes nothing. Like Yoda said, “do or do not.”
We have to have the try to get headed in the right direction, but growth comes from actually doing it. Doing it comes through accountability.
Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning.” – Benjamin Franklin
It doesn’t matter how you define success, you have to be a life long learner to continue to achieve that success. When you stop growing, you put a cap on your potential and I believe that when you stop moving forward you are moving backward.
Growing means stretching outside of your comfort zone. It means doing things you have not done before. It means facing the failure of not succeeding the first time you attempt something new. Many people have a tendency to quit when the going get’s tough.
PERSONAL GROWTH requires SACRIFICE, SELF-CONTROL, DISCIPLINE and PERSEVERANCE. Your ATTITUDE is really a reflection of your CHARACTER.
Your INTEGRITY will create CONSISTENCY and CREDIBILITY. Understanding your PRIORITIES will allow you to maximize your PERFORMANCE.
COMMITMENT to EDUCATION will help you overcome ADVERSITY and positve ACTION will help build SELF-CONFIDENCE and EMPOWER you in the FULFILLMENT of your GOALS.
If you want to do more, achieve more and become more, you need to grow more. So my question today is simple, “How far are you willing to grow?”
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On May 23rd, at 8:00 pm ET, I will be hosting a free call introducing “The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership” Coaching Program.
This will be a content filled call that will not only teach you about influential leadership but also about leading an intentional and successful life. The words in capitals above are topics within Pillar #3 – GROWTH.
This is the third of five posts related to the 5 Pillars that will go out prior to the call on the 23rd.
For more information and to register for the free call CLICK HERE.
To see the first video on Pillar #1 – AWARENESS click here
To see the second video on Pillar #2 – ENVIRONMENT click here
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Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 5/17/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post GROWTH: You Will Only Go As Far As You Are Willing To GROW appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 7: Their Environment appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
]]>This is the 7th of 16 weekly installments on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership. Every Thursday, I will break down the 5 Pillars and show you how becoming and influential leader will not only improve your job skills but your personal life as well.
The 5 Pillars is a project that I have been working on for almost two years and am looking forward to officially launching “The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership” Coaching program on May 23th.
Why the 5 Pillars? I have spent more than 30 years in the business world and although it has been primarily in the Construction world, the 5 Pillars philosophy works across all industries. In fact, while developing this program I realized that it can have a significant impact on your personal life as well.
I will break down each Pillar into three sections, personal, business and community. Any growth or improvement needs to start within, with the end goal of influencing the community you live in. In this post we will take a look at COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT.
The environment that we live in impacts the way we live in countless ways. The question is “Is my current environment conducive to my growth?” The first two posts on environment looked at the things that we directly impact or directly impact us. Now let’s take a look at the big picture.
COMPETITION
Most of us are in a business that competes with other businesses for clients and customers. Competition is what requires us to maintain a high level of performance. Working at a high level makes the community and the environment around us better. Sometimes thinking about how you both can be successful will lead to creating more need for what you are selling.
OPPORTUNITY
Have you ever heard someone say “you need to create your own opportunities”? The reality is that they are already out there. You don’t need to create them, you need to find them. Can you think of some opportunities in your community that could benefit you? Maybe it’s time to go find them.
QUALITY
It doesn’t matter what you do, you are a reflection on the community you live in. You will be part of the environment that is created in your community. Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? Making quality one of your priorities will help to produce a better overall environment.
RISK
There is risk in almost everything we do. Choosing the right environment for your home or your business will decrease risk and increase the potential for success.
VICTORY
We have all heard the phrase “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” So does victory come from winning (the destination) or from how you played the game (the journey)? I believe it depends on what game you are playing. If you are team player in your community and help to create a positive environment, everyone wins.
SUCCESS
Success! Everyone defines it differently. I believe success will be defined by the legacy we create while here and what we leave behind. Making a difference, that makes a difference is what success is really all about. Many people think that wealth defines success. My thought on that is “What did they do with that wealth?”
The 5 Pillars coaching program will take each topic to a much deeper level. We will explore open ended questions and how they are directly impacting your life and more specifically in this segment, will allow you to evaluate and understand how you impact the environment within your community.
In the mean time, start asking the type of questions that will result in better answers. When you ask “How can I” you get an answer that will move the needle. “How can I improve myself and what can I do differently to create a better environment for my entire community?” Answer that question, act on it, and you will succeed.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR THE MAY 23RD CALL
RELATED:
- Click here to see Part 1 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 2 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 3 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 4 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 5 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- Click here to see Part 6 of The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership
- For more on The 5 Pillars of Influential Leadership and to view my video click here
- To view my guest post in the 2013 International Leadership Blogathon click here
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Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 5/16/13 photo by author © Building What Matters 2013
The post The 5 Pillars Of Influential Leadership – Part 7: Their Environment appeared first on BUILDING WHAT MATTERS.COM.
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