Categories
On The Bricks

January 8, 2014

Honestly, when I’m working on something and my brain is engaged and in high gear if someone walks in the office, I look up, but I don’t see. Even if it is someone I have known well for 20 years, often it just doesn’t register who it is. There is no click to show engagement, so to speak.

So that means that I don’t multitask nearly as well as I think I do, does it? Now, if someone walks in and I’m making my cup of coffee or playing a game of mah jong, no problem. Well, there might be a problem that I’m not working, but no problem is seeing who came in the door.

So many skills we need to be successful. Recently I attended a meeting and Dr. Todd Connor was the speaker and he talked about leadership. I’m going to share some of those interesting parts with you.

Just because you go there first or you are out front does not mean you are a leader.

Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less. You cannot lead any more people than your ability to influence. Leadership is not a title or a position, it is influence. Leadership doesn’t equal power, it equals influence.

The greater the impact you want to make, the greater your influence needs to be.

So, to influence others usually we need to work on ourselves. We need to get out of our comfort zone because growth occurs out of the comfort zone. The perfect place for personal growth are the circumstances we find ourselves in right now. Make it a point to be around people who think differently than you. Make it a point to also spend time with better leaders. Always be grateful, but never satisfied.

Influence comes from valuing people.

A good leader asks his followers, “How are you?”, “What can I do for you?”, “What problems are you facing?”, “How can I help you?”. Then it turns into “Are you getting all the support from me you need?”, “How can I help you grow?”.

People are interested that you care, not what you know.

Your leadership skills take in your ability to cast vision for the business or project; getting a like – minded team of individuals together; uniting this team in a common purpose; helping them see how their goals are in alignment with team goals; getting the right people on the bus; getting the wrong people off the bus; getting the right people in the right seats; and getting the bus going in the right direction.

These insights came from Dr. Todd, who teaches a mastermind class on the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. If you’re interested in being in the class call him at 580-651-6729 or email at toddconnerjmt@gmail.com.

Success is when preparation meets opportunity.

The more skillful leaders our community has, the further it can go.

See you on the bricks, leading away!