Oct. 12, 2009 – A leader’s primary purpose is to keep the energy flowing and the
dreams growing while at the same time showing up every day complete with a
smiling face and an endless supply of new ideas and solutions for the
day-to-day challenges. On many days the leader may feel as if a giant syringe
has been injected into his or her brain and all the energy extracted.
This is reality in the world of leadership. Those who have
been given the opportunity to lead must restore their minds and physical health
often, for just like a car battery, one can only go so far on limited cells.
So how does the leader stay motivated and on top of his or her game? The
following suggestions have helped many in leadership stay focused and on fire
as they move their organizations forward:
Find a Mentor
The only way to stay focused and keep energy flowing is to
find a creative mentor who has the ability to keep the “apprentice’s” feet
grounded in leadership principles. The mentor is that person who deserves
respect, who will listen to challenges, fears, hopes, and dreams and be trusted
to keep confidences, someone who is totally honest in supporting not only the
student’s business or organization but also that person’s total well-being, and
someone who can “rationally” not “emotionally” respond to another’s busy world.
A qualified mentor should fit the following parameters: he or she needs
nothing from the learner, is not looking for financial benefits or special favors,
must be a person of integrity and character, and, most importantly, must be a
proven leader who has been where the follower is going. In Vietnam the
statement was often used, “If you are going through a mine field, follow
someone.”
Feed the mind
A leader is always feeding the mind. Good teachers can be
found in every field of endeavor, and many of the best have produced CDs or
books in their areas of expertise. They often have websites that detail or
reveal their thinking processes. It isn’t necessary to reinvent the wheel and
waste months and years on subjects that have already been explored and
developed. Material from the experience of the experts can be absorbed and
wrapped in the thoughts and personality of the diligent student and made to
work. A wise pupil will develop unique and personal ways to incorporate the
materials developed by those who have a proven track record. It is often better
to be an imitator rather than an originator, especially until one gains the
personal experience required in a given field of expertise. An aspiring leader
must remain progressive and proactive, always maintaining a creative state of
mind.
Dreams or Drama
Most of the conversation in the working world is focused
around the world of drama. People talk about other people; people put people
down while lifting themselves up. People continually look for and often hope
for another person’s failure. To stay motivated, one must become very sensitive
to the conversation in the boardroom, at lunch with others, and even in one’s
own family. The leader cannot allow his or her mind to drift into the world of
drama, choosing rather to remain in the arena of dreams, looking for solutions,
and becoming a doctor of solutions. Those who stay personally motivated run
from the world of conversation that moves toward destructive thoughts. They
choose words that are edifying, building up those around them each day, looking
at challenges rather than problems. It is difficult to stay motivated and
on top of one’s game if hours are wasted in the world of drama, especially
since most of the leader’s time is spent in the area of counseling and helping
others to become better. Like a good bomb technician, the leader learns how to
quickly disengage from conversation that is drama.
Enjoy
Motivated people take time to enjoy the world around them.
They spend time with people who do not wish to talk about their profession or
business; they look for times of fun and fellowship that make them laugh. They
talk about the things in their lives that are humorous; they listen to those
outside of their field of endeavor who are willing to share what they have
learned of life skills. A truly successful leader knows that time spent with
family and loved ones is as essential as time spent with those who add value to
their profession. Those closest to the leader will not be impressed with his or
her balance sheet. They will not care if the leader has added value to the
business or organization if it is accomplished at the expense of their needs
and desires. They will be impressed if the leader expends as much energy
entering their personal world as he or she does digging into a marketing plan
or business plan or next week's message. A leader who desires to stay motivated
will learn to be spontaneous in family affairs, entering the world of their
children’s dreams if they are parents, planning memorable outings with their
spouse if they are married, being active listeners with their friends and
companions.
The life of a leader can be very hectic and demanding. By virtue of their
professions, leaders live in the crosshairs of human needs. But if they fail to
take care of their personal well-being and the well-being of those close to
them, they will have failed at their most important leadership position, that
of being a husband, father, wife, mother, friend, or role model.
Bob Goshen is an
international marketing consultant, trainer, and founder of three corporations.
He is a former U.S. spy turned global business guru who specializes in creating
a leadership culture that gets things done.
Bob has developed marketing strategies for such noted companies as
Coca-Cola and Sunrider International. To have Bob speak at your next event,
call 918-298-1616. To receive his
monthly e-zine, please visit www.bobgoshen.com.
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