Category: Walking Leader

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20 Observations About Being A Real Leader by David Guerra

We are coming to the end of 2015 and things are as wacky as they have always been. Now comes 2016 and I promise you things will be wackier, zanier, and close to insane. However, one thing that will NOT change is, heck it will NEVER change, the demand for REAL LEADERS to step up and lead.

This applies to all sectors of our lives; public, private, work, home, schools, local, county, state, federal and global levels.

There is always a need for leaders and an even greater need for followers. One has to lead and one has to follow. One has to follow in order to be a leader. However, a leader does not get to pick his/her followers. Followers pick their leaders.

There are many ways followers pick their leaders. Lately, it seems that they pick their leaders much like Baskin-Robbins picks the flavor of the month, what looks good and has mass appeal whether it is good for them or not. However, in most cases this “flavor of the month” is NOT good for the masses. Sadly, people find this bit of bad news out a little too late, when that “leader” is fully entrenched into a position of leadership.

Actually, it could turn out to be the biggest mistakes of their lives and all because it sounded good at the time.

All is not lost. Here are twenty things to remember about what real leaders are versus what others believe they think they are. I would highly recommend you look at this list before finding a leader to follow or before becoming one worthy of following.

  1. A Real Leader will be the FIRST one on the battlefield.
  2. A Real Leader will RESPECT everyone, especially those he/she does not agree with.
  3. A Real Leader will SEE all sides.
  4. A Real Leader will never take a SIDE.
  5. A Real Leader will take a STAND.
  6. A Real Leader is entitled to his or her own opinion.
  7. A Real Leader will keep those opinions to himself/herself.
  8. A Real Leader will never thrust his or her OPINION on others.
  9. A Real Leader will NOT incite others to do his/her bidding.
  10. A Real Leader will do what he/she can to make others GREAT.
  11. A Rea Leader will do what it takes to make EVERYONE great.
  12. A Real Leader will NEVER single anyone out.
  13. A Real Leader will never blame others.
  14. A Real Leader will take the BLAME first.
  15. A Real Leader will TEACH.
  16. A Real Leader will NEVER teach hate.
  17. A Real Leader will ASK questions
  18. A Real Leader will NEVER know all the answers.
  19. A Real Leader will be HUMBLE, always.
  20. A Real Leader will be the LAST one off the battlefield.

Now ask yourself, are you that kind of a Real Leader? Are the leaders you follow the kind of leaders that fit into any of  the 20 observations mentioned? Probably not. I may be wrong but I doubt it.

See most of the everyday, “run of the mill” leaders will give you one or two of the 20 and call it good. Those average leaders will do the bare minimum just to appease those that follow him or her.  Of course, you let yourself be taken in (fooled) by the bare minimum. Most of us have at one point or another in our lives have fallen into that trap. So long as that mediocre leader flashes us a smile once in a while and promises the world then we are happy little campers.

People like the fact that the leader is “trying” until it comes time to really put up or shut up. Then those same people find out that the so-called leader hasn’t the backbone to do what it takes to do the job that comes with being a Leader.  The truth is revealed, the individual they counted on as a leader turns out to be ALL SHOW and NO GO!

What kind of a leader is that? Exactly, no kind of a leader.

Folks, it is time to find yourself a Real Leader. A Leader you would be proud to say you would follow blindly into battle or do what has to be done, no questions asked.

Is that too much to ask for?

-David Guerra

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blog Change Leadership Motivation Walking Leader

Small, Big & Great People by David Guerra

They say you can tell the size of the person by the size of his/her problems. This may be hard for some to swallow but the reality is that most people fit in the first category and then number of people in the last two dramatically falls off. Well, no wonder we are in the state that we are in.

Small-Big-Great

It’s like this:

A small person has problems that are very self-directed, very self-focused. Their belief is that all problems are based on others taking something away from them, personally. The belief is that everyone but themselves is the cause of the problem. For example, they will complain the credit card bill is too high because the interest rate is so high, yet they have absolutely no problem carrying the maximum balance on the card.

They complain about being overweight yet truly believe they are doing themselves good by eating a small salad while at the “All You Can Eat” buffet, you know the one with the buttery yeast biscuits. And so on and so on.

They internalize and justify their behavior but when someone calls them on it (i.e., the credit card bill arrives or the liver panel results come in) then everyone else is at fault.

Meanwhile, a big person has problems that are outward, very focused on others. They are focused on the family, employees, friends, and so on. They are prepared to do what they can to make life better for them. A Big Person will worry about the things that matter most to others. While not losing focus on satisfying their own needs and wants. Usually, their needs and wants are rooted in the needs and wants of others. (Think Parents)

Great people have great concerns (i.e., whole country, the planet, the human race). Great people impact the world at large and very seldom impact one or a few individuals. However, when Great people impact a few people they do so in a way that will motivate others to greatness by acting and doing something that will change the world.

Great people are also humble in that they would deflect any accolades towards others rather than accept the well-deserved honors. Yes, they are like that.

No One Is Perfect

EVERYONE has a little small, big and great inside. It is our choice to decide just how much power/strength we give to each of the three.

Sadly, there are way too many people that give way too much power and attention to the SMALL.

and

NOT ENOUGH people that give any power to being BIG or being GREAT.

Being Big or Great can be done with a lot of hard work while being small is the easiest one to be. Heck, being small involves almost no work at all. Unfortunately, that is why being small is so popular.

Which one are you?

Thanks for reading,
David Guerra

Categories
blog Change Followership Leadership Walking Leader

About Giving and Taking (Part 2)

give-and-take-556150_1920

Today’s Latin Phrase of the day is: QUID PRO QUO

“In common law, quid pro quo indicates that an item or a service has been traded in return for something of value, usually when the propriety or equity of the transaction is in question. A contract must involve consideration: that is, the exchange of something of value for something else of value.”

For example: You ask for something of value from me and I exchange it for something of equal value that’s fair. However, when I ask you for something of value and you choose not to exchange anything for it because you see NO value in what I offer then that is fair, as well. No transaction takes place.

Here is where it can get tricky: You ask for the exact same thing of value from me that I asked of you. That same item or action that you saw NO VALUE (because it was from me) yet you now give it value because it comes from you. How is that fair? It’s not. More than likely you will see it as being extremely unfair and in most cases, you will take it as a personal assault because the exchange will not take place. While many business transactions take place everyday an even greater amount do NOT take place because of the perceived lack of value from one or both sides of the transaction.

Life is just like this:
When you ask for something you must always be prepared to give something back. You ask for an apple be prepared to exchange an orange for it. Ask for a follow be prepared to follow back. As from me to do you a “solid” be prepared to do a “solid” for me. That’s how business works. You want a product or service then be prepared to pay for it. Yes, it is that simple!

Remember, FREE does not put food on my table, just like free does not put food on your table.

Now, if you have to think about what I just wrote then you are most certainly the one doing more of the taking and very little (if any) of the giving.

Thus ending the Latin and Modern Socioeconomic lesson for today.