Stepping Into Leadership with a Principle-Centered Approach

Within any business environment, the art of leadership can be developed by following a number of sound value-based principles. Today we’ll be discussing some of the fundamental keys to stepping into leadership with a deliberate approach. Acting Out Of CommitmentnBy Dr. Joe RubinonnOne of the biggest challenges that causes people to fail in business is for them to act out of what is convenient for them in the moment. When you act in this manner, you are at the affect of your environment and the prevailing circumstances as opposed to being the source of who you are and what you do. Being the source of what shows up around you in life comes as a result of a declaration you make to see that it is so. By taking such a stand for your excellence or the excellence of others, you are declaring, as an act of courage, your commitment to being the best you can be. nBy doing so, you are, in effect, deciding to trust yourself in the moment of decision to do the "right" thing. With respect to leading a team In business, that often looks like choosing to empower and champion others when it may be more convenient or comfortable not to do so. You commit to act out of your principles rather than out of what might be most convenient at that particular time. This will require a ruthless commitment on your part to being clear about what you are really most committed to- developing empowered, self-directed leaders In your business, or taking the easy way out by doing what you have always done. It's up to you to decide which is more important every time a decision comes up in which you can either act in a way that forwards your business or in a way that is easier to take. This critical moment of decision, "The Y of Leadership" is the "fork" in the road requiring you to make a courageous choice in the moment. Doing what is convenient Contributing to othersnTaking the easy way out Doing the right thingnDoing what you feel like Honoring your commitmentsnLooking good Telling the truthnBeing liked or popular RiskingnSelling others out Acting for the benefit of nPlaying it safe \ /others / nAvoiding conflict \ / Making a difference n\ \ / /n\ \/ /n\ X You Are Here n\ /n/ /n/ /n/ /nThe Path of Personal PowernnThe decision to take the "right" path is one you will be required to make each time a new situation arises that tests your commitment and courage. Your success will be related to generating the necessary courage in the moment of decision time and time again. This one is never handled but must be chosen anew each time another opportunity presents itself. As you decide time and again to act out of your commitments, you will strengthen the muscle of being able to trust yourself to be counted upon. And in those instances when you choose the path of least resistance that does not support your business and your excellence, all there is to do is forgive yourself and recommit to do better the next time. Your personal power will result from your courageous and never ending declaration to act from the perspective of your commitments. Daily, in each moment of decision, practice becoming more aware of your options to choose to either honor your commitments and values or what is most convenient at the time. Notice in particular each time you are about to choose not to prospect someone because you lack the nerve . . . and choose otherwise to do so. Communicating AuthenticallynnYou maximize your personal power when you exude an energy of authenticity. When you not only speak from the heart but walk your talk by acting out of your commitments, others get the real you. Living authentically comes from closing the gap between who you are, what you do and what you want others to get about you. Authenticity results when who you are being equals what you are speaking. By contrast, when you project a facade that differs from what you think and who you really are inside, others sense the disparity. When your speaking and who you are being don't match, it keeps you from being heard and decreases your personal effectiveness. For example, have you ever dealt with a slippery salesperson who was trying to sell you something you didn't want? You perceived the pushy, self-serving, overbearing energy as inauthentic. The answer to communicating your Network Marketing business opportunity authentically starts with being at peace with who you really are and what you have to offer. It's about giving up your right to make your prospect do what you want him to do, but looking to contribute something of value instead. The result will be that you will no longer be projecting an image that serves to conceal some aspect of yourself that you are hiding. You'll start to come across as real, concerned, down to earth, a good listener . . . all qualities that will attract others to you. We all live our lives out of images we hold about ourselves, others and the world in general. When the image we have of who we are is inconsistent with the image we wish others to get about us, we put on an act to conceal whatever it is we can not stand. What this means is that if you are not totally confident that your opportunity, company, and products are exceptional, your prospect will get it — no matter what you say. I encourage you to take the following two actions today:nn• Begin to notice when your energy is coming across inauthentically. What qualities or thoughts about yourself, your products, company, or opportunity are you reluctant to let others discover?n• Identify any areas where your belief level is not at 100 percent. What steps will you take toward resolving these issues?nBefore you can communicate powerfully with others, you must first do whatever it takes to handle your own belief. If you do not, you will constantly attract those objections to you that you yourself still have! Accessing your power means handling any doubts you may have. It's all about believing in the company, products, and opportunity yourself and not being afraid to let others know it — from the heart. When your doubts no longer run you, you will have the courage to honor your commitments. You can speak with an authenticity that comes from being yourself. And, you will have the power to succeed.nnnStepping Into LeadershipnnWhy is it that we often wait until we have achieved a level of success in Network Marketing before we feel as though we have earned the right to step into a leadership role? Leadership is not a position you acquire as a result of having achieved a certain volume or compensation plan position. It is a place you come from as a declaration that guides your decisions and actions. When you are the source of everything that shows up in your life and in your business, your actions will be in sync with this self-declared leadership role. The elements that characterize leadership are as follows: 1. A clear and well-spoken vision that serves as an inspirational guiding force for yourself and others. 2. A specific action plan that answers the question, "What exactly will it take to manifest this vision?" 3. An enthusiastic contagious belief level that causes others to join in the cause and get into action motivated by a positive expectation of success. 4. An authenticity and genuine humility that comes from a true commitment to be of contribution to others. 5. A commitment to ultimate invisibility, that is getting out of the way, allowing others to step into their own power as they eventually assume the prominence you once held as a catalyst inspiring others to greater possibilities. This is an ability to make others greater than yourself, empowering them through example with a commitment to seeing a possibility for them that they might not yet clearly see for themselves. This is what it means to be an inspiration to others. Leadership is both the driving force that propels a Network Marketing organization and the glue that keeps it together long term, allowing it to withstand the inevitable challenges that will develop from time to time. Exercising Your Leadership: 1. What would stepping into a prominent leadership role in your Network Marketing business look like for you? Be specific. 2. Where are you not being the source of your organization's growth and leading by example? nnnAuthor's BionDr. Joe Rubino is an internationally acclaimed personal development trainer, a life-changing success coach and best selling author of 9 books and 2 Audio sets on topics ranging from how to restore self-esteem, achieve business success, maximize joy and fulfillment in life and productivity in business. An acclaimed speaker and course leader, he is known for his groundbreaking work in personal and leadership development, building effective teams, enhancing listening and communication skills, life and business coaching and optimal life planning. His best selling books and audio programs are available in 19 languages and in 48 countries. These include: nn• The Success Code: 29 Principles for Achieving Maximum Abundance, Success, Charisma, and Personal Power in Your Lifen• The Success Code, Book II: More Authentic Power Principles for Creating Your Dream Lifen• The Magic Lantern: A Fable about Leadership, Personal Excellence, and Empowermentn• The Legend of the Light-Bearers: A Fable about Personal Reinvention and Global Transformationn• The Self-Esteem Book: The Ultimate Guide to Boost the Most Underrated Ingredient for Success and Happiness in Life. Visit http://www.TheSelfEsteemSystem.com/boost for more information!n• Secrets of Building a Million Dollar Network Marketing Organization from a Guy Who’s Been There, Done That and Shows You How You Can Do It Toon• The 7-Step System to Building a $1,000,000 Network Marketing Organization: How to Achieve Financial Freedom through Network Marketingn• The Ultimate Guide to Network Marketing: 37 Top Network Marketing Income Earners Share Their Most Preciously Guarded Secrets to Building Extreme Wealth n• 10 Weeks to Network Marketing Success – CD Album plus Workbookn• Secret #1 – Self-Motivation Audible and Subliminal Affirmation CD Setn• 15 Secrets Every Network Marketer Must KnownnnDr Rubino is the CEO of The Center for Personal Reinvention, http://www.CenterForPersonalReinvention.com, an organization committed to the personal excellence and empowerment of all people. He has impacted the lives of more than 1 million people through self-esteem work, personal and group coaching, and personal and leadership development. Dr. Rubino was featured on the cover of Success Magazine and in their cover story, “We Create Millionaires” for his ability to impact people’s lives. He is a certified success coach in life planning technology and the co-developer of the life-changing course, Conversations for Success, a program that provides participants with the tools to maximize their self-esteem, productivity and personal effectiveness with others. His vision is to personally impact the lives of twenty million people to be their best and to shift the paradigm around resignation - that is, that anyone can affect positive change in their own lives and in the lives of others - if they believe they can. Dr. Joe offers powerful personal coaching to support business success and life fulfillment. To contact him, call 888-821-3135 or email drjrubino@email.com . Learn more about his life-changing work in championing people to restore their self-esteem at http://www.theselfesteemsystem.com/boost and receive the free insightful audio program “7 Steps to Soaring Self-Esteem” and a 1 year subscription to “The Success Achievers’ Club”…a $129 Value!