Archive for Personal Development
What can we learn from charismatic leadership?
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Fidel Castro and Winston Churchill. Jesus and Mohammed. All exemplify charismatic leadership, one of the three forms of leadership classified by sociologist Max Weber.
At the heart of Weber’s classification is a belief in the “exceptional sanctity, heroism or exemplary character of an individual”. Significantly, it is a neutral term, implying neither good nor evil. Hitler, for example, was a charismatic leader as was Mohandas Ghandi.
One of the most fascinating attributes of charismatic leadership is that followers are drawn to the individual because of their personality or charisma. Like Ghandi, they do not have to hold a position of authority in order to inspire or lead people.
Instead, followers may see the leader as a parental figure who will nurture and guide them or as a prophet who can reveal higher truths. The leader may also be heralded as a hero based on previous triumphs or as a person of integrity, regarded for living by strong principles.
In recent years, charismatic leadership has fallen out of favor. Yet, it still plays a role in our society. When a Fortune 500 company needs a CEO to turn the tide of failing fortunes or a lackluster political party wants to boost its popularity in the polls, a charismatic leader can be relied upon to inspire renewed faith and optimism among the ranks.
Despite the naysayers, charismatic leadership can benefit society in multiple ways.
• Vision: these leaders express a compelling view of the future.
• Passion: they embody their belief.
• Energy: they commit boundless energy to realizing their goals.
• Creativity: they develop solutions to the problems that bog others down.
• Inspiration: they arouse confidence, faith and belief in their followers.
Given such positive associations, why would anyone question the role of charismatic leadership in our society today? The answer lies in how easily faith can be misplaced. When we consider a cult like that of the notorious Jim Jones, we can see how blindly following a leader can bring about pain, suffering and death.
Even in the service of a worthy cause, there are negative aspects to charismatic leadership. Heroic self-sacrifice, for example, can jeopardize family relationships and physical or financial health.
As history reveals, however, charismatic leadership can also be a positive and beneficial practice. The key lies in whether or not it is carried out ethically. In the best of all possible worlds, leaders act in the interests of their followers. Furthermore, they encourage their followers to take responsibility for their actions and ultimately become leaders themselves.
This is radically different from a situation like that created by Jim Jones or other cult leaders, where followers are required to accept the leader’s demands without question, regardless of how it affects them.
Too often, the latter is the situation that comes to mind when we think about charismatic leadership. Yet, when we look at the contributions of some exemplary leaders we can see how greatly it has benefited our world in the past and how much we continue to reap from it today.
Building a corporate culture of creativity
Posted by: | CommentsBuilding a corporate culture of creativity as well as accepting new ideas will capture the talent, energy and commitment of employees. Take 3 minutes to watch the movie “A Peacock in the Land of Penguins” to inspire you and your team.
Personal Success Factors and You
Posted by: | CommentsAs I was exploring my success library I am amazed at how frequently I have devoured great books on marketing, personal development and business development. Reading and surrounding yourself with positive, action taking and result focused materials really increases your Personal Success Factors. Here are a few of my recommendations. What are your favorites?
10 Tips For Effective Prospecting
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When you are starting a home business, you must be accountable and engaged in your daily action plan. 10 tips for effective prospecting of your home business will pave the way for executive level income opportunities are:
Smile when you talk on the phone:
You will be amazed to see how smiling can bring about a change in your business prospects. It makes a great difference to your voice also.
Show enthusiasm:
Your prospect will be a lot more interested in your business proposal or strategy, if you are excited about it. People want to be a part of excitement and enthusiasm.
Be polite:
Even if you feel that you would not want to work with someone, it is necessary to be polite and end the call before moving over to someone else.
Make more calls:
Always challenge yourself with a new vigor to dial the phone and make more calls than you did the day before. It enhances your prospects.
Practice before you call:
Before you make a call, practice on the phone. Make the conversation sound normal and easy.
Do not waste your time on prospects missing appointments:
If a prospect misses an appointment more than once, be sure to take the hint and move on. Do not waste your time.
Talk less and listen more:
It is advisable to listen to the demands of the prospect carefully; it helps you decide on what you can offer.
Never quit:
You should stay put with your business proposal. Don’t let rejections dishearten you. Face it and be calm.
Take the advantage of 3-way calls:
It will give more credibility to your business proposal, if the prospect gets to hear about your proposal from someone else. So, keep the options open for it.
Make daily plans:
It is favorable to chalk out your business plans and adhere to them strictly. It will prove to be one of the great ideas for wealth management also.
You should take prospecting seriously. For money making home business, you need to maintain effective prospecting. Prospecting has to be practiced daily.
For a good marketing prospect to develop, you need to engage in a 4-step process, which includes seeking people who might be interested in your business, moving on with the ones who will listen to your proposal, a good approach to inform your prospect and let the recruiting or retailing system do the work for those who are willing to listen to your business plans.
Out of the 10 tips for effective prospecting the two major keys to success for a home business are sheer hard work and a wonderful attitude. Yes, to achieve success it is vital to put in that extra effort and at the same time also maintain the positive attitude that is required to attain financial freedom.
10 Ways To Improve Communication
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Are you communicating effectively
There is so much to know about proper communication. You can watch talk shows; listen to radio programs; attend clubs dedicated to public speaking; listen to ordinary conversations, however, certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, I know, but even though it’s your mouth that’s doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know. So what better way to start learning to be an effective communicator is to know the person closest to you: yourself.
How to Become an Ideal Leader
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Are you a leader
When you are at work, do you get frustrated because things don’t seem to be happening the way they’re supposed to be? You see people milling around but nothing gets accomplished. And in the daily hustle and bustle, do you feel that your goals remain just that – goals. Then maybe its time for you to stand up and do something about it.
Most people are content just to stand around listening for orders. And it isn’t unusual to adopt a follow-the-leader mentality. But maybe, somewhere inside of you, you feel the desire to make things happen – to be the head, not the tail. Then maybe leadership just suits you fine.
Some people believe that great leaders are made, not born. Yes, it may be true that some people are born with natural talents. However, without practice, without drive, without enthusiasm, and without experience, there can be no true development in leadership.
You must also remember that good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their natural skills. This takes a commitment to constantly improve in whatever endeavor a person chooses.
First of all, let’s define leadership. To be a leader, one must be able to influence others to accomplish a goal, or an objective. He contributes to the organization and cohesion of a group.
Contrary to what most people believe, leadership is not about power. It is not about harassing people or driving them using fear. It is about encouraging others towards the goal of the organization. It is putting everyone on the same page and helping them see the big picture of the organization. You must be a leader not a boss.
First of all, you have to get people to follow you. How is this accomplished?
People follow others when they see a clear sense of purpose. People will only follow you if they see that you know where you are going. Remember that bumper sticker? The one that says, don’t follow me, I’m lost too? The same holds true for leadership. If you yourself do not know where you’re headed to, chances are people will not follow you at all.
You yourself must know the vision of the organization. Having a clear sense of hierarchy, knowing who the bosses are, who to talk to, the organization’s goals and objectives, and how the organization works is the only way to show others you know what you are doing.
Being a leader is not about what you make others do. It’s about who you are, what you know, and what you do. You are a reflection of what you’re subordinates must be.
Studies have shown that one other bases of good leadership is the trust and confidence your subordinates have of you. If they trust you they will go through hell and high water for you and for the organization.
Trust and confidence is built on good relationships, trustworthiness, and high ethics.
The way you deal with your people, and the relationships you build will lay the foundation for the strength of your group. The stronger your relationship, the stronger their trust and confidence is in your capabilities.
Once you have their trust and confidence, you may now proceed to communicate the goals and objectives you are to undertake.
Communication is a very important key to good leadership. Without this you can not be a good leader. The knowledge and technical expertise you have must be clearly imparted to other people.
Also, you can not be a good leader and unless you have good judgment. You must be able to assess situations, weigh the pros and cons of any decision, and actively seek out a solution.
It is this judgment that your subordinates will come to rely upon. Therefore, good decision-making is vital to the success of your organization.
Leaders are not do-it-all heroes. You should not claim to know everything, and you should not rely upon your skills alone.
You should recognize and take advantage of the skills and talents your subordinates have. Only when you come to this realization will you be able to work as one cohesive unit.
Remember being a leader takes a good deal of work and time. It is not learned overnight. Remember, also, that it is not about just you. It is about you and the people around you.
So, do you have the drive and the desire to serve required of leaders? Do you have the desire to work cooperatively with other people? Then start now. Take your stand and be leader today.
The only sure way for your people to lose is if they give up.
Posted by: | CommentsFollowing leadership article is from ArtWilliams.com
“The only sure way for your people to lose is if they give up. Your lack of encouragement should never be the reason a person quits. A leader must always keep believing in people, no matter what.”
No. 1 – Have confidence in your people.
- See each person as a winner.
- Expect success from everyone.
- Let people know you think they can win.
No. 2 – Recognize each accomplishment, no matter how small.
- Show people that you know what they do.
- Make each small accomplishment seem major – it really is.
- Make your praise public – people love to be recognized among their peers.
No. 3 – Sell the dream, again.
- Never think you can stop “selling the dream.”
- People need to be constantly reminded of the rewards of their hard work.
- Encourage people to talk about their personal goals and dreams. (You could have a “dream” session and ask each person to tell his personal “success dream.”)
No. 4 – Don’t give up on people when they make mistakes.
- Live with them through the tough times, as well as the easy times.
- Care about each person as an individual.
- Allow people to learn from their mistakes. Never criticize.
AND…Never be guilty of giving up AS A LEADER.
Your Smile can Make a Difference
Posted by: | CommentsI watched this video today and it is right in line with my belief that no matter what you are going through today your smile can make a difference. Let’s stay focused on improving the lives of others and give a big smile. Enjoy the video.
Tips On Clearing The Clutter So You Can Succeed
Posted by: | CommentsIf you own a home business, it would require you to keep your work area arranged, organized and clutter-free. It is important for you to be clearing the clutter so you can succeed. A disorganized workplace will cause unnecessary tension and nervousness. You may also lose your client’s project. You can organize your workplace easily and in no time at all.
Basics
Ensure that you have ample space for yourself, your projects and other equipments. You also need the correct type of work surfaces. You need to have better access to what you need for the completion of your work.
File Management
File Management can be bit difficult at home, but still you can use color-coding as a means of file management. You should also label your files properly and keep them in the correct folders.
Storage of Office Supplies
This helps you in easily finding your supplies when you need them and it also helps to keep your office clutter – free. Disorganized office supplies indicate loss of money and time.
Moving things around
You should seriously consider moving things around, if presently you have to keep moving across the room to fetch the things needed for your work. Your desk should be arranged in such a way that you can have easy access to all the basic supplies, like pencils, computer accessories, staples, envelopes and note paper.
What Organization requires?
In business, first impressions matter a lot. A client will be annoyed if he is welcomed into a cluttered office.
1.) You need a proper desk, which is able to meet your daily needs. If your work requires you to frequently refer to books, then you need a desk with a hutch to put your books into. If you use a computer, you need an L-shaped desk. You can keep the computer on one section and still manage to have enough workspace for yourself.
2.) You need to practice good time management. You can attain financial freedom with completing your work on time. You don’t have to rush things, as this will result in cluttering your work place and reduce the quality of your work.
3.) It is essential for you to decide which document you will need and which document you will not. For being organized, you must discard the documents you will not need; else it will lead to unnecessary clutter in future.
4.) You can also hire a professional organizer to arrange your workplace. This will help you in organizing your workplace very fast and will also leave no scope for any mistakes.
5.) Do away with all the clutter, to make your workplace an effective one.
6.) The ambience of the room should be created in such a way that the color and lighting is appropriate. You can also replace carpets, paint the walls and buy new curtains depending on your budget.
7.) It is essential for you to filter and toss. You must filter and keep what is required and toss the rest. It is going to be a difficult process as today’s technology has so much information to offer.
Initial organization of your office might take a lot of time and effort, but once you have successfully organized it, you will be sure to view it as an executive level income opportunity. Ideas for wealth management can creep in from clearing the clutter so you can succeed.
Tools for Starting a Business from Home on a Limited Budget
Posted by: | CommentsWith the state of the economy the way it is today I am seeing an increase in the level of interest a person has in starting their own business. When I ask the new entreprenuer a few basic questions regarding the tools they are using to build their new business I am shocked at how many people have that deer-in-the-headlight look.
So many people are jumping to the conclusion that starting a business from home is tied to a big expense and that the tools they need to use are not affordable to operate efficiently. Therefore, many business owners are not empowered to build strategically with the use of the internet. Because I am a big believer in maximizing online tools I came up with a list that will help take your business to the next level.
Here is a list of necessary tools that are free to use.
Webcast: Mikogo is free screensharing software that you can use for webinars, product demonstrations, online meetings, etc.
Video Production: Animoto is a great way to turn your photos into video. As we all know video’s drive traffic to your website. Therefore, a simple way to create a video is to upload pictures of you or your business into Animoto, select sound clips to match the video and publish to YouTube or other video sites.
Conference Calling: Free Conference Call.com is a teleconference line available 24/7. Do you need to have a quick meeting with your team members or sales staff? Easily done with this service.
Calendar: Google Calendar is an efficient way to keep track of your events. I use this service to color code the conference calls, events, and even set up Text Messaging reminders so I don’t miss a beat. A great feature in Google Calendar allows you to invite others to share the calendar so it works great for planning events.
Business Forms: Google Docs has a host of forms and templates that can assist you with your business. Find a template, complete the form and then print it to a PDF file direct from the desk top. Many of the templates will even feed into specific software programs you might use. It is a great way to invoice your clients.
Advertising: Craigslist is a favorite for free advertising. If you own a service business or want to sell a product this service is for you. Not only is it good for advertising it is also great for prospecting. Check out the “wanted” section as you might be able to fill a need of what people are looking for. Be sure to read the compliance section of Craigslist because they don’t hesistate to shut your account down if your ad is flagged too many times.
Autoresponder: Mail Chimp Not only does this site have a cute chimp on the front page it offers a great foundation for new marketers to start building a list. You can build and manage your list as well as design HMTL newsletters for free. I personally use Aweber as it is the list building tool I’ve used prior to learning of Mail Chimp.
Website Software: Wordpress.org is a great tool for the new business owner to use while building an online presence. With all the new plugins available to the wordpress owner you can create a website in a matter of minutes compared to a few months and at a high expense. Wordpress.org is free but you would need a hosting account to maintain it. I use a few different hosting companies for my sites but I prefer Hostgator as my wordpress host.
These are a few of my favorite tools (sounds like a song doesn’t it?). Be not afraid to learn any one of them as they all have video instructions and are easy to learn.
Do you need to know where to market your website? Go ahead and opt in at the box on the right. I will send you a PDF file and checklist to get you started in the right direction.
Make Internet Marketing Fun!
