Personal Excellence

             Striving to understand the basics of effective personal leadership has been a lifelong study for me.  Through books, experiences, and observations, I have come to believe that our leadership skills evolve as our confidence builds and our ambitions grow.

            As a business leader, it is imperative that you constantly work to improve your personal leadership abilities.  To help you move on this journey of self-improvement, try using these six career changing ideas:

            1. Purpose.  As you strive to bring your best leadership abilities to your job, there must be clarity of purpose.  Why are you working in this field?  Is your agenda one that will bring growth and progress?  How do you find the right path to follow? 

            The answer to these questions begins with a clearly defined strategy centered on core values—those principles you cannot violate and keep a clear conscience.

            Once you clearly define your values, you can make tremendous strides toward fulfilling your purpose.  From your values come vision and mission.  From values come goals that detail the steps you must follow to reach your destination.  From values, you can develop big dreams and make your service meaningful and valuable for everyone you meet or lead.

            2. Opportunity.  The world owes you nothing.  Opportunities develop from your efforts and preparation.  You can reduce risk by being prepared.  Study and prepare to address issues facing your business and problems will turn into opportunities.

            3. Wonder.  Competent leaders have a sense of wonder.  They constantly seek to expand their knowledge.  They read books and magazines.  They attend seminars.  They build a network of friends who serve as resources when crises develop.  Don’t stagnate.  Keep your mind open and receptive to new ideas and new learning opportunities.

            4. Enthusiasm.  Few things of value are accomplished without enthusiasm.  If you

are not enthusiastic about your career, resign!  Do something else!  Your enthusiasm is contagious.  But, so it your lack of enthusiasm.  Guard what you say and think.  A few wrong words uttered in the presence of people can burst their bubble of enthusiasm and create cynicism.  The more important your position within an organization, the more impact your words make on people. Your attitude and enthusiasm are a direct reflection of your leadership style. 

            5.  Responsibility.  You do not look good pointing fingers at others!  Take personal responsibility for all of your actions or your lack of action.  You are in charge of your service to customers, employees and suppliers.  Make it a strong performance. 

It Spells POWER

            Using the first letter of each point, forms the word power.  Everyone understands that power comes with position.  When power is misused, people are abused.  Rather than seek abuse, seek to serve others.  Rather than tear down, seek to build dignity.  Rather than make empty promises, seek to keep your word.  Rather than act insincere, create a genuineness of character.  Rather than be inconsistent, strive for predictability and stability.

            Purpose, opportunity, wonder, enthusiasm and responsibility spell power, the essence of positive personal leadership whether you are leading an organization or simply leading yourself.