If you are a leader...

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.

—Max DePree

The first thing you should do is communicate what you want, where to go, how to do it and predict the outcome. Many team players are lost, not just in translation, but direction. Of course, aim something that is achievable.

Then, while you are working with your team, be a servant. Offer a snack. Brew coffee. Tap them on the shoulders and commend them for working hard. Ask if there are things that you need to clarify. Don't wait till your staff mess up. Guide them and give concrete instructions.

Lastly, THANK the team. It shows that leaders can't do ALL THE WORK on their own. Every member of the team has valuable contribution. JUST THANK THEM.

Then, celebrate for job well done.

Who Wants To Be A CEO?

"The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the highest ranking executive manager in a corporation or organization. The CEO has responsibility for the overall success of an entire organization." (http://humanresources.about.com/od/glossaryc/g/ceo_title.htm)

The CEO bears the "good company image" when things are well, but "suffers the shame" when all things are ruined. As Dr. John Maxwell says, "Everything rises and falls on leadership."

One time, I ask a friend if he wants to be a manager. Surprisingly, I received an answer that was a counter-flow to my personal goal. He said, "No, I like what I am doing. Besides, everything will be dumped on me if I will be the manager." What he thinks, so is he.

Have you encountered person like this? This kind of person fears responsibility and growth. And, to be successful, difficulties and facing tough decisions are best teachers. What kind of decision have you faced lately? What have you learned from it? How were you able to come up with a perfect answer to the problem?

If you are eyeing the seat of a CEO, be willing to solve tough problems and exercise your analytical thinking. Push your brain to work. Also, learn from the veterans- the leaders in your field. Find a way to have a time with them and learn. Throw them your questions and adopt their problem solving strategies. This is what I am actively doing now.

Too many people are satisfied with just small things. They forget what books, trainings and Google are for. On the other hand (and worse), some pretend they know everything. That's dangerous. Wrong decisions will cost you a lot. Much more, the lives of your people will be totally affected.

Well, you can stay at the ranking file all of your life. But always remember, we are all given a choice to improve our craft and climb the ladder of success. It's up to us whether we want to be lazy or we want to be on the top.

I want to be a CEO. How about you?

Leadership Value

Only the people around you can say how you have influenced them. They have the right to tell others what kind of value you have deposited in them, not anyone else.

Let's talk about leadership value.

When 5 or more people spread your mess in the room, there must be something wrong with you. The first person you should ask about your leadership is yourself. Some may think it's crazy but only those who lead with integrity do this. Then, with humility, ask the person whom you can trust about your performance as a leader.

Leaders must learn to listen more, act more and talk less. Your staffs are human, not robot. Their 5 senses are active. So, treat them as you want to be treated. When they feel that you value them, you will earn their respect. That's what (your) money can't buy.

Lead others as you lead yourself. But, don't forget to put quality to your followers. You are responsible for their growth. Before you blame them for their mistakes, evaluate first if you have led them correctly.

Better question our leadership if we don't see our flock flying high. 2 things: We might be losing our focus and we are going to fail as a leader.

Fix things up. Give value to your followers and let them grow in quality and quantity. Leaders, don't promise to make your followers happy. Just make them excited about their growth.

Like Jesus, the all time great leader and King. When heaven was waiting for Him, he left His disciples something they should be excited about, not the suffering they should endure...

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV)

The value Jesus poured on His disciples exceeded at all aspects of life- spiritual, emotional and physical. Until death, His true followers were faithful.

Raise Your Hand!!!

In my observation, successful people are those who volunteer themselves in a specific task and even it's out of their job descriptions, more often than not. That's what sales and marketing people are good at because they know that consistent exposures lead them to more sales. Connectors and networkers value volunteerism.

Why is it important? Top Executives look at those who could perform well. School teachers give credit to active students. Parents appreciate the helping child rather than the complainer. Each work done voluntarily has a value and I think it always work for our advantage. Just make sure it's out of passion, not for compensation. (Money will just follow those who have a good heart.)

Volunteers are endangered, like the wildlife. They are rare. You can only find few, if not a handful, in any existing organization. That's why I believe not everyone is a leader. Only few are willing to sacrifice their own comfort for the sake of a purpose. Some are settled already and change is not welcome anymore. The word "improvement" is not in their vocabulary.

If you are a leader, observe your people. The one who has the most number of volunteer works and doesn't complain got the "big picture". He values personal and organizational growth. Let him fly.

Significant You

The significance of the person doesn't come from what his bank statements says nor the awards he received. Those are just end results of sacrifice and hard work. What makes a person significant is the quality of heart.

Time will pass. Those who knew us may forget us. The awards and trophies may collect dust overtime. But those we've extended our hand will remember us, for years if not for a lifetime. That proves that helping others are more than our success.

Don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with enormous wealth and numerous awards, in fact I want such achievements and financial stability. Let us just be reminded that there is a higher purpose for having them. We become significant by sharing what we have, not just money. That includes ideas, acquired knowledge and skills, counsel, books we read, encouragement, happiness, food...and whatever you can give.

I am so grateful for the people who patiently worked with and influenced me for this life principle. They have invested their time, money, skills, wisdom and heart to me. Without them, I may not share this with you today. So, won't you find someone to inspire with your life?