Archive for August, 2008
THE LOW COST TRAP
I’ve known business owners that have made a strong marketing case for becoming and/or being the low cost provider… but it’s been my observation that the low cost position can kill a business.
The great low cost providers are vulnerable from multiple angles. Just when the system for lowering costs has been fully refined… somebody else always comes up with a better system and cheaper suppliers. And as if this problem isn’t enough… these business owners find it virtually impossible to inspire their employees due to limited budgets, meager surroundings… and a constant need to recruit under-paid and under-appreciated workers.
Always remember, your clients and consumers can almost always find a cheaper way to get your products and services, and few efforts are less rewarding than trying to compete with the cheaper ways of those bottom-dwellers.
Stay away from the rock bottom.
10 REASONS THAT LEADERS FAIL
This post is the second of a 2 post series based on the book “Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. The first post of this series highlights the differences between a leader and a follower. This post will highlight the 10 common causes for failure in leadership.
To be an effective leader… it’s equally as important to know what “not to do” as it it to know what “to do.” I hope this is helpful as you lead in your own organization.
1. INABILITY TO ORGANIZE DETAILS: No genuine leader is ever too busy to do anything which may be required of him in his capacity of leader. When a leader admits that he is too busy to change his plans, or to give attention to any emergency, he admits his inefficiency. A successful leader must be a master of all details connected with his position.
2. UNWILLINGNESS TO RENDER HUMBLE SERVICE: Truly great leaders are willing; when occasion demands, to perform any form of labor that they would ask another to perform. “The greatest among ye shall be the servant of all.” is a truth which all able leaders observe and respect.
3. EXPECTATION FOR WHAT THEY KNOW, INSTEAD OF THAT WHICH THEY DO WITH WHAT THEY KNOW: The world does not pay men for that which they know. It pays them for what they do… or what they induce others to do.
4. FEAR OF COMPETITION FROM FOLLOWERS: The leader that fears that one of his followers may take his position is practically sure to realize that fear sooner or later. A true leader empowers his followers, and embraces their talents and accomplishments for the betterment of the team and organization, without the baggage of insecurity.
5. LACK OF IMAGINATION: Without imagination, the leader is incapable of meeting emergencies, and for creating plans from which he can guide his followers efficiently.
6. SELFISHNESS: The leader who claims all of the honor for the work of his followers is sure to be met by resentment. The really great leader claims none of the honors… and is content to see the honors go to his followers.
7. INTEMPERANCE: Followers do not respect an intemperate leader. Balance… and control of emotion are two critical ingredients for the success and effectiveness of a leader.
8. DISLOYALTY: Perhaps this one should be at the top of this list. The leader that is not loyal to his trust and to his associates… those above him and those below him cannot maintain his leadership for very long. Disloyalty marks one for being less than the dust of the Earth… and brings contempt.
9. EMPHASIS OF THE AUTHORITY OF LEADERSHIP: The efficient leader leads by encouragement, and not by trying to instill fear in the hearts of his followers. If a leader is a “real” leader, he will have no need to advertise that fact except buy by his conduct, his sympathy, understanding, fairness and a demonstration that he knows his job.
10. EMPHASIS OF TITLE: The competent leader requires no title to give him the respect of his followers. The man who makes too much of his title generally has little else to emphasize. The doors to the office of the “real” leader are open to all those who wish to enter.
ARE YOU A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER?
I am reading a book right now entitled “Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, at the request of Andrew Carnegie. Whether or not you’d like to grow rich… Napoleon’s classic addresses the differences between a leader and a follower.
Decide at the outset of your career/ministry/path whether or not you’d like to remain a follower, or become a leader. The difference in compensation and influence is vast. The follower cannot reasonably expect the compensation to which the leader it entitled… although many followers make the mistake of expecting such pay. While it is certainly no disgrace to be a follower… it is no credit to remain a follower.
Most great leaders began in the capacity of followers… and they became great leaders because they were intelligent followers. With few exceptions, the man who cannot follow a leader intelligently cannot become an efficient leader. The following are the important attributes of an effective leader…
1. UNWAVERING COURAGE based on one’s knowledge of self and one’s occupation. No intelligent follower wishes to be dominated by a leader who lacks self-confidence and courage. No intelligent follower will be dominated by such a leader for very long.
2. SELF CONTROL: The man who cannot control himself cannot effectively control others. Self control sets a might example for one’s followers, of which the more intelligent will emulate.
3. A KEEN SENSE OF JUSTICE: Without a sense of fairness and justice, no leader can retain the respect of his followers.
4. DEFINITENESS OF DECISION: The man who wavers in his decisions shows that he is not sure of himself. He cannot lead others successfully.
5. DEFINITENESS OF PLANS: A successful leader must plan his work and work his plan. A leader who moves by guesswork, without practical definite plans, is comparable to a ship without a rudder… sooner or later he will land on the rocks.
6. THE HABIT OF DOING MORE THAN PAID FOR: One of the penalties of leadership is the necessity of willingness upon the part of the leader to do more than he requires of his followers.
7. A PLEASING PERSONALITY: No brash or careless person can become a successful leader. Leadership calls for respect. Followers will not respect a leader who does not grade highly on all the factors of a pleasing personality.
8. SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING: The successful leader must be in sympathy with his followers. Moreover, he must understand them, and their problems.
9. MASTERY OF DETAIL: Successful leadership calls for mastery of details of the leaders position.
10. WILLINGNESS TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY: The successful and effective leader must be willing to assume the responsibility for the mistakes and shortcomings of his followers. If he tries to shift this responsibility, he will not remain a leader. If one of his followers makes a mistake and shows himself to be incompetent, the true leader must consider that it is “he” who may have failed.
11. COOPERATION: The successful leader must understand and apply the principle of cooperative effort, and be able to induce his followers to do the same. Leadership calls for power, and power calls for cooperation.
My next post will highlight the 10 major causes of failure in leadership. See you there.
AN OLYMPIC-SIZED INSPIRATION
John Dane III is 58 years old and has spent the last 40 years of his life trying out for the Olympic Sailing Team. He finally made it this year with his son-in-law, Austin Sperry.
Dane’s efforts to qualify for the Olympics led him to 4 separate failures… each by just a few minutes. He didn’t give up after each loss… he simply kept pushing forward, and improved his sailing skills. The easiest path for John Dane would’ve been for him to quit after 1 or 2 failures. John Dane decided that failure wasn’t an option… and persevered.
Checkout this video of John Dane sailing with his son-in-law. Let’s root him onto victory. He’ll be competing between August 15th and August 20th.