Network Marketing => What is a LEADER? Hello Partners:
The subject of
LEADERSHIP is quite massive.
I'd like to share just a few thoughts with you - especially as it pertains to Network Marketing...
There are a great many Books / Audios / CDs / Courses / Seminars on this critical topic.
One of the very best sources for this (my opinion) is Dr. John Maxwell -- his website is at
http://www.injoy.com .
Network Marketing -- in large part -- is about "teachers teaching teachers" --
"Leaders, developing Leaders" in my view.
I once heard a very good quote -- "if you think you are a LEADER -- look behind you -- and if nobody is following you -- you ain't". Pretty blunt.
So what do we DO if we look around -- and nobody is there?
I guess we should look in the mirror. That's pretty blunt too.
Here's something I DO believe -- in order to BE a Leader -- we must first learn how to FOLLOW.
I must confess -- that's not always been one of my own 'strong' points.
Firstly, in my opinion, it is critical to examine WHO it is we are following -- and if that is a wise choice.
When we consider our 'community of interest' here within this Forum -- there may well be a number of MASTER Leaders.
But what about
US -- you and I?
As I learned the hard way, in the past -- there is a problem if we believe we don't NEED leaders.
In my earlier days, I didn't think I needed 'anybody' to follow -- that I could do things on my 'own'. That was especially true as I was building up my Business and Financial Consulting practice. But after I 'banged my head' long enough -- on the great wall called LIFE -- I discovered that my approach was not very wise. I mean -- I 'had' read all the books -- gone to the seminars -- made a very large income -- enjoyed success -- won a few accolades and awards -- and had all kinds of clients calling 'me' for advice, etc.
But looking back now -- it really didn't mean squat!
HUMILITY is the door to
wisdom -- and today, I will never follow anybody who isn't following someone.
Back then, I didn't know that I 'just didn't know' -- I didn't realize that it was OK to need 'others' help and mentoring. I didn't realize how arrogant it was - to think I knew most of the answers. Besides that -- my head was really hurting from that WALL I kept hitting.
I 'wised up' [thankfully] -- looked into that mirror -- and realized I needed leadership myself.
WISDOM is 'different' from
Knowledge -- much different.
WISDOM gives us the ability to 'apply knowledge' effectively.
I didn't know that, back then. Today, I do.
WISDOM is what LEADERSHIP is about.
WISDOM is what Great LEADERS have, in abundance.
LEADERSHIP is not always about 'money' -- or 'influence' either.
There are many people who follow others 'blindly' in this world. However, there are many great Leaders who have 'average' lives -- running a Boy or Girl Scouts club -- or a church group for instance.
I DO believe that people buy who we
ARE -- and
not what we HAVE.
Who we ARE "attracts others" like ourselves.
We become MORE when we learn to be humble and to follow others -- at least until we are 'capable' of leading ourselves -- but we need to always have wise counsel to follow, and to verify our paths with.
None of us can
demand that others follow us -- and be a real Leader.
Real Leaders just know that the right ones will follow -- in time.
Real Leaders work on BEing more themselves -- and on how they can serve others better.
THAT will attract the right people -- who will gladly follow.
In my opinion, real LEADERS invest time in 'themselves' first -- and then in others.
PERSONAL GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT becomes paramount for them.
I also believe that they realize they cannot really ever know somebody very well -- without first investing 'time' in them. They understand that people need to be listened to -- and understood -- to feel validated.
Real Leaders understand this -- in the end, they are just better at serving others than most people -- and they prove it with the most valuable commodity they have -- their
TIME.
The hallmark of great LEADERS is the ability to 'move forward' towards a result -- despite challenges -- despite criticism -- despite times of uncertainty. And they aren't afraid to make tough decisions -- they aren't afraid to take risks -- they aren't afraid to FAIL.
They focus on a clear VISION for their organization or cause -- they surround themselves with those who 'can make it happen' -- they know when to lead -- when to follow -- when to simply step out of the way, and let 'others' take the reins.
Perhaps most importantly -- they are the catalyst for those around them -- helping others to realize their OWN leadership potential (teachers, teaching teachers to teach).
LEADERSHIP is an ART -- and the unique fabric that is inherent in all real Leaders that I know is the virtue of
kindness. Leaders are patient and they are kind -- they invest their time as a sign of their respect for another human being.
Real Leaders have
HEART.
I believe we all must invest our time wisely -- first, in ourselves and then, in others.
Then, in time -- people will follow. Wise Leaders know where to invest their time well -- and that is in PEOPLE.
Wise Leaders realize the
Law Of Abundance always works -- and that their investment of time always pays dividends in some form.
The 'intent' of wise Leaders is always one of
SERVITUDE.
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= "Reason and judgement are the qualities of a leader." (Tacitus)
= "Leaders think. They think because they are leaders. They are leaders because they think." (Dr. Paul Parker)
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Thanks for allowing me to 'think out loud' on this a bit with you :-)
Sincerely, Peter A.
