Author: Dave Guerra

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Accountability blog Change Ethics Inspiration Leadership Leadership Principles Mentor Motivation positive Work Ethic

Leading From The Front

When it comes to leadership in all its varying forms and style nothing and I do mean NOTHING will beat the penultimate leadership style of LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

Up until recently, there were very few real world examples of LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

The current and most relevant example is Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Yes, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the current situation with Russia invading Ukraine, the Zelenskyy is out there fighting to push back the invaders, he is also out there fighting on behalf of his country to more international support.

The Ukrainian President is out there, on the front lines, walking his talk. How many “leaders” do that on a daily basis. How many leaders, today, are willing to walk out there where the bullets are flying.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the definition of Leading From The Front. He is out there fighting for his country, his constituents, his family and for his life. He is the epitome of walking his talk. He could have opted to rule from behind a desk far from the fighting. Instead, he opts to walk out to where the bullets, mortars, missiles, and tank shells are flying.

Sure there are many politicians that “claim” they lead from the front. Without shame they claim that they are out there and “no one works harder for their constituents than they do”. Yet when the opportunity to go to the front comes, they go there in a chauffeured limo. Then the moment things look like they are going sideways these politicians duck back in, speed away. Soon they find comfort in their nice cozy, comfy office chairs as far away from the front-lines as they can get.

Then there are some political officials that will flat out ignore a direct order to go to the front-lines. When questioned about why they are not going to the front-lines, their only response is a dirty look and a “cackled” laugh. Next question, please.

So much for working hard or is it working hard at avoiding any hard work? I challenge anyone to prove me wrong or try to change my mind when it comes to those politicians.

But, this post is not only about politicians. It is also about business managers, military personnel and the countless others that want to be great leaders but do not want to put in the work. They may claim they are putting in the work but yet, they are continually found behind their desk managing by email or zoom or by text (this is the worst of all). Again, I ask how can you become great if you REFUSE to get your hands dirty.

Who does not want to be known as one of the great leaders of our time? I promise you this: The person is lying if they claim they do not want to be great.

Sure, some people may be satisfied with their life if they never are seen as great. Some may be perfectly fine if they can achieve some level of greatness. No matter if a little, some or none and sure as the sun rises, everyone wants to be great.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being great. As many have said (including myself) time and time again, to be great you have put in great work.

WORK! W-O-R-K!

There’s that nasty four-letter word. It will never go away especially when you want to do something and be something. You have to put in the work. THERE IS NO SHORTCUT TO BEING GREAT.

However, you can move the process along by getting out there and Leading from the Front and by leading from the front means you are out there ACTIVELY participating.

You are out there NOT getting in the way. You are out there not for a photo-op but to actually do something that is helping. The following is what you can do to become a great leader:
• Stand Up
• Step Up
• Go To The Front-lines
• Dig Foxholes, Fill Sandbags, Chop Wood, Carry Water
• Stay Out of The Way

That is it. It does not get any clearer and better than that. Get To Work!

Thank you for your time and consideration,
David G. Guerra, MBA

Categories
Leadership

Leadership Observation – Going Forward Into The Future #01

Seriously, as an individual, you can sit there burning bridges and building barriers but that will only put you in ISOLATION.
It is not too late to build bridges and add doors to the walls and you are putting yourself where you should be: OUT THERE!
Don’t for one second fool yourself that you can do it alone and damn everyone else. It does not work that way. Leaders, it IS your job to be create new points of contact, new conversations, new opportunities, and new iterations of yourself. KEEP IT NEW!
To take the reins of your present, let go of the past, understand that the future is still tomorrow. As a leader, there is nowhere to hide, you have no choice but to get out there.
It is not too late to do so. What is too late is in believing that the past will carry you for the rest of your life. However, if you believe that, you have got some growing up to do. The past is gone and it only serves as a stepping stone to move you up and out.
Use all that the past has taught you to teach others. Do not use the past as a crutch to help you limp along in life with a “oh woe is me” attitude that soon everyone will get tired of. By everyone, I mean those that are close to you and those that far from you.
If the events of 2020 taught us one thing is that we are all equal in our misery and in our happiness. Life going forward will never be the same. Throughout the quarantines and mandates everyone experienced what I call the GREAT EQUALIZER of 2020.
Suddenly, we were all thrust into something new, different, scary and uncertain. In the blink of an eye, family, friends, and neighbors were gone. How can that not affect people? How can that not affect you? If you claim none of that affected you, I declare BULLSHIT and I challenge you to change my mind.
You can front, you can put up a façade but your private self knows you were scared, you feared the unknown, the uncertainty, I know I did, all of us did. However, over time as the word got out and we all started to understand more, then the fear, the uncertainty and the unknown started to subside. But if you still say “NO, NOT ME” then please continue fooling yourself because you are the only you are fooling.
Current and Future Leaders, know these two things: False bravado is not the sign of a Genuine Leader. False bravado is usually found in consistent use of a bad manager. Leaders of exceptional caliber do not need to put on airs or wear false colored glasses. Authentic Leadership is based on the individual’s skills, knowledge, experience and the resulting wisdom.
Let this serve as a notice to the individuals that prefer to use a “crutch” as a tool to garner ill-deserved attention. Please know that your time is quickly coming to an end. As we emerge from the “Great Equalizer” and know the playing field has been leveled, if you find that you, as an individual, cannot compete then it is the perfect time to re-think who you are today and who you want to become. Oh, and age is NOT an excuse to stop you from wanting or trying. Every one of us, must work at changing today to be better than yesterday. If you can’t do that, then you get what you most definitely deserve, a seat in the corner, facing the corner.
I cannot say you deserve a seat at the kiddie table because the only thing the kids at the kiddie table want is to move up to the adult table. Even they know that to make that happen they have to want to grow and change. Nope, your only place is in the corner. Only you can avoid the corner, away from everyone but that is up to you.
Now is the time that NEW LEADERS must emerge, current leaders that means you too. You now have the undeniable opportunity to change your path or course or whatever you call it. To FINALLY become the leader, you have always wanted to follow.
In 2021, 2022 and beyond, you and I and everyone on this planet have been given another opportunity to create something new, do something good. Those that want to follow you deserve nothing but your best, so don’t blow it!
and Get To Work!
Thank you for your time,
David Guerra, MBA
author of “The Walking Leader”
Categories
Leadership marketing

Marketing 101 – June 13, 2021

File under Marketing 101

Not so long ago, my wife and I went out to dinner. A triple digit dinner $$$.¢¢ at a somewhat popular local restaurant. At the end of the delicious meal, we had some leftovers which were nicely packed in a doggie bag. OK, it was a plain brown paper bag.

When we got home we noticed there was something missing. Now don’t get me wrong, the leftovers were all there. What was missing was a brief note that could have read, “Thanks for dining in with us and thank you for taking us home with you. However, we want you to come back for dining in or carry out and here is a 10% off code for your next visit. Thank you.”

They could have put all that on note or used a rubber stamp on the side of the bag. Along with the name of the restaurant, phone number and hey who knows maybe even dropped a copy of the paper menu they gave us when they sat us at our table.

Instead, is all we got was a plain old paper bag.

Folks, this is clearly a missed opportunity. The world is opening back up and competition will soon start up again and if you want to stand out from the crowd, especially, when you are one those triple digit restaurants then you had better start seizing the opportunities.

Seriously, the next time you look at a plain old brown paper bag, look at all the untouched landscape.

When it comes everything, not just marketing, when you see a chance take it or your competition will. I guarantee that.

Thanks for your time,
Dave