Morning Motivator - Leading or Representing?

"I think people are frustrated and the protesters are giving voice to a more broad-based suspicion about how our financial system works."
- President B. Obama on OccupyWallStreet Protests

In order to understand leadership, it is important to understand the difference between "representing" and "leading."

These terms are often confused or conjoined based on the idea that many of our political *cough cough* "leaders" are voted to "represent" us as constituents. Yet, being a leader is very different from being a representative.

Representing means you are the voice of the people - of THEIR opinions - not your own. You are a tool for them to provide their voice and interests on a bigger platform with focus. You DO NOT get an opinion, rather, you get to represent.

Leading is about taking all the opinions from the representation, analyzing them and then acting in the best interest of the whole, even if it means be UNPOPULAR in doing so. Leading is about doing what is right, rather than what is cool or desired from a small group of voters.

Are they similar? Yes. Are they the same? Not at all.

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP: Being a leader is very challenging. It requires you to consider the alternatives to every situation. You do not get the luxury of just pushing information up to the higher levels, as a representative would. Your job is to create opportunity, mitigate risk and eliminate waste.

As a leader, you are expected to look out for all parties concerned and execute functions that serve their best interests. If the country needs revenues, you may have to change tax structure. Popular? No. Necessary? Possibly.

Lastly, as a leader, you must stay away from polarizing opinions and interests. Your job is not to be a Democrat or Republican...it is to be a leader. Your job is to make sure that the special interests are heard but do not control, they are understood but not defining culture.

Remember, REPRESENTATIVES follow... LEADERS define the directional options.

Cheers,

Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com

The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator - All The Good Things

"All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get."
-Morarji Desai

Why do entitlement programs not work? Why does top sharing creating animosity in bars? Why do pick up games fail and "pay for" leagues work?

The answer is very simple. Anytime something is "given" (by being taken from someone else) it is NOT APPRECIATED.

There is no doubt about it. Think about the last time you were given free tickets to something. If you did not go, how bad did you feel? You likely rationalized by saying, "eh, the were free anyhow." However, getting the tickets to the event you did not think you could get into or that which you paid a great deal for...you would not miss for the world!

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP: True, we will live in a world where everyone wants FREE. We also live in a world where FREE has no value. Thus the easy things to attain and WORTHLESS.

Ever wonder why people who are generationally utilizing entitlement programs say they WANT a better life but do nothing for it? It is because that is difficult. Getting your free programs is easy - even though it is crap!

Do you recognize that giving away free time in your business or services is undercutting your value? STOP IT! No one buys from you because you gave them something free. Give them an easy out clause, never a free "in."

If you and your clients do not value the things that cost time, energy and expertise, then you will never create success. If you value it, yet your clients do not, then FIRE THEM! You are talking to the wrong clients...

All the good clients are the ones that were hard to get!

Cheers,

Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com

The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

Morning Motivator - Beat Talent!

"Hard work beats talent and talent does not work as hard."
- Tim Tebow (soundbite from Biggest Loser, TV show)

If you could only have one, would you rather have exceptional talent or exceptional work ethic? Would you rather have the gifts or the drive to go after what you want? To me, these seem to be very easy answers. For many though, not so much.

There is an interesting dynamic to talent - It is most commonly graced to a very few people. You will see these people on TV with beautiful singing voices, unbelievable athleticism or a cunning nature for business. You will also see many of these people on the streets of New Orleans performing for dollars, hustling basketball courts in Los Angeles or running scams in your own home town. Talent, albeit very helpful, is never a guarantee of success.

An exceptional work ethic, on the other hand, is something that almost always guarantees success. It is not given by the grace of God. It is not attributed to unique physical features. It is not something exclusive to those with wealth or education. Work ethic is available to any and every person! It is free although it does require the investment of time and some discomfort. Additionally, it is something that most people have available, but of which they will not take advantage!

So let us ask it again - Would you rather have exceptional talent or exceptional work ethic?

2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP: Work ethic is nothing more than taking action when action is what is required. It is the additional effort required to ensure that you get what needs to be done...done!

How can you help bolster your work ethic? I believe in one simple, yet very effective solution: The To-Do List! More specifically, the 5/1 Focus List.

This is the list of the Top 5 things that are on your To Do list for the day. You work relentlessly to see that #1 is completed. You do not start #2 until #1 is completed in its entirety or scheduled with very specific next steps if it cannot be completed immediately. Once you move beyond #1, your #2 no become your new #1 and you repeat the process. Your DEDICATION and DILIGENCE in seeing these things completed to their full extent will help you "see and feel" your work ethic.

Positive results are the byproduct of hard work. List your efforts, execute with obsession and reap your benefits. You will find a direct relationship to your work ethic and your positive outcomes.

For better results, work with greater specificity and focused planning. But never sacrifice the work ethic!!

Cheers,

Zach

*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com

The Morning Motivator is a copyrighted publication. The use of this article is open for print or publication with proper citations.

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