Category: Followership

for Follower based blog posts

Categories
blog Followership Leadership Motivation Walking Leader

On Being Open and Transparent

See when it comes to being a leader in the 21st century, being open and transparent is now the only acceptable and expected norm. It is the standard. However, unfortunately so many people continue to push that standard to the side. They throw it off and that is not a good thing. Folks that is not how it’s done, that is not how it is going to be, most importantly that is not how one remains a leader.

One remains a leader by not deviating from the standard you set for yourself and for others that you lead, manage or supervise. You expect others to adhere to those standards but once you start saying “oh well, that’s their standards and these are my standards” well it does not work that way. You have to remain open and transparent the entire time you are a leader. You cannot deviate from the ONE standard because when it comes to being transparent; “you deliberately go out of your way to try to be honest and open about who you are. There is no façade, no pretense – with you. People get what they see. You speak in your own voice. You are authentic. Others can see clearly who you are, what you are doing and why you are doing it.”

It is that simple. You just cannot deviate from that, if you’re expecting others to behave in a manner that you say but you are not doing, well all I can say is something is very wrong there. It is when you begin to hide things, like openness and transparency; the truth will eventually become clouded. Once clouded you will fall down that slippery slope where people will begin to doubt their trust in you and as a Leader, you do not want that.

Once that trust is in doubt, there is no going back. Sure, you might get 98 – 99% percent but you will never have a 100% of that trust back. Seriously, you will not see all that trust ever again. Think about it this way; for some reason or another, you doubt somebody’s trust. After the situation is settled, will you or can you ever truly trust that individual again? No.

It is sad but it is true. That is why the importance of being open and transparent is key to a successful career and even more importantly it is key to maintaining the honor of being called a leader for a very long time.

Thanks for your time,
Dave

P.S. What do you think of what I wrote above? Do you agree? Disagree? Let me by email ([email protected]) or on Twitter where my handle is @DaveGuerra

P.P.S. I would love to connect with your here:

http://www.twitter.com/daveguerra

http://www.facebook.com/thedavidguerra

http://www.instagram.com/dave_guerra

 

Categories
blog Change Followership Inspiration Leadership Motivation Training Walking Leader

On Being Genuine

Now is the time to be more than who you are. Being more is as important as eating or breathing is to the human body.  Currently, you are who you are and the sooner you understand that you have to grow to be a better individual, the sooner you can grow beyond who you are. Grow beyond who you are?

Being genuine is the only way to grow beyond who you currently are.

To grow as an individual you can only do so as an individual. However, you must take certain precautions so as not to come across inauthentic or disingenuous.

While it may be a slippery slope do your best to not make it a competition. We are all taught that you have to be the best. You have to be number one. Excessive competitiveness does nothing but bring you down when you win and you resent those who do win. Be careful.

Let go of what other people say or expect. Just be yourself. You want to be genuine, the real deal then you cannot be when you are at the mercy of others. When others tell you you should do this or say that then you are nothing but a follower. Remember you are the only person that gets to say who you are. So be that person. While the “cool” kids are doing what the “cool” kids do when it is all said and done they are nothing but followers. Remember that.

Being genuine means, you are not following anyone but blazing your own trail. Then those that want to be with you will find a way to be near you and they will do so because you are genuine in your intents and actions. Trust the process and most of all trust yourself.

Do not force it. Forcing yourself to be genuine well that does come shining through o anyone and everyone. So do not force it.

All in all, just be yourself.

 

 

Categories
blog Change Followership Inspiration Leadership Motivation Tips Training Walking Leader

It’s Time To Be Clear And Concise

Happy New Year!

A New Calendar, A New Way of Thinking, and most certainly, A New Way of DOING!

Too many people, I mean way too many people for one reason of another refuse to be clear and concise in any communication they use. However, it all begins with the face-to-face conversation. For whatever reason, people have trouble communicating face to face. This then carries over to other forms of communication with voice-to-voice a very close second place.

This indirect activity creates a feeling that the speaker believes everyone within the sound of his voice can also read his mind and is 100% in tune with what he (or she) is trying to say. However, with this mindset, the speaker will fail 100% of the time.

When a speaker starts to hint at things and sends mixed messages the listeners become lost and unfocused. At that point, the speaker has lost his place and getting it back is a trick not even the greatest magicians could accomplish.

When the speaker hints at things or sends the mixed messages, they also fail to get to the point as quickly as possible. Again, failing to get to the point will result in not getting what you want or are asking for.

When the time comes and it is your turn to speak be careful to avoid being so vague that nobody will ever understand what you want or asking for. Failing to be clear and concise will lead you to fall short of your desired goal. So step up your game and start clearly and concisely vocalizing what you want or where you stand.

A word of warning is careful that you do not come across as abrupt, unfriendly, arrogant or rude. Just say what you feel and while it may be difficult at first you will find that right balance. That is why you must work every day, every single day, on conveying that clear and concise message. Do that vocally. Remember, the number one culprit is face-to-face communication. Practice. Practice because that is the only way to become clear and concise. You have to work on it. If you are not constantly practicing and working on being clear and concise and just doing it every once in a while you are going to get stuck at hinting at things and sending mix mixed messages and avoid getting to the point as quickly as possible.

That my friends is not a good thing. Get to work!