The Raw Truth

For the last few weeks I’ve been reading various blogs where folks are baring it all – speaking the deep truth about who they are, and what they really think. Even if it upsets a few people.

This kind of authenticity and courage is rare, attractive, and compelling.

When someone stands in the truth of who they are, expresses their vision of the world from a place of integrity and value, it lifts those around them. This is powerful leadership. This is inspiration.

And so now – the Truth. For the last couple of years I’ve followed a few business mentors diligently. I’ve bought their products, copied their style, done what they’ve done.

And yet sometimes I felt uncomfortable with some of the strategies.

Like last year at Ali Brown’s Online Blueprint Success Workshop. The content she delivered was fabulous. However some of the guest speakers spent 45 minutes of their allotted 1.5 hours pitching a high-end product or service. It really bothered me: I payed a lot of money when the Aussie dollar crashed last year to be there: flights were $1300, the hotel bill was $1000 US (nearly $1500 Aussie at the time), not to mention the meals out and so on. I felt ripped off.

But I buried that feeling thinking, “that’s the way it is – that’s how these events work and make money.”

And I kept working at the marketing systems my gurus proposed, ignoring the niggle deep down that something was just not quite right.

It’s no big wonder that things kind of struggled along rather than raced ahead.

The ‘not quite right’ was something I’ve only just come to fully realise: their style sucks. I don’t like being ‘pitched at’. I don’t like paying for an event only to land in a high-pressure sales situation. I don’t like formulaic teleclasses where I wait in dread of the offer that inevitably gets squeezed in there. I don’t like hype and spin.

So why was I subjecting my loyal and generous readers and clients to the same bulls**t?

I was too scared to be authentic.

I was too scared that it wouldn’t work.

I had a poverty mentality.

I was trying to follow a guru instead of being one myself.

I was doing what I thought I ’should’ do, and I ’should’ all over myself.

Well, let me assure you, times they are a changin’.

My commitment to you is that I will only offer you something I know will genuinely benefit you, that I use myself, that I believe in 100%.

I promise I will offer it in a non-pitchy way, trusting that the information I offer about it will be enough for you to make decision.

I promise that I will trust you to know what is best for you.

I promise that I will not try to be anyone else and that I am good enough as I am to share what wisdom I’ve gained with you.

I promise to respect your in-box and not fill it with promotion, fluff, or bumf. Only quality articles that offer insight that can make a difference to your life and leadership.

I promise to remember that it is a privilege you honour me with by reading my work each week, and to show you appreciation.

I promise to ask of myself what I hope for you: to live an authentic, genuine life, based on core values of honesty, integrity, adventure, faith, and fun.

This feels a bit like marriage vows! And in some ways it is: I am now married to the commitment I make to you in being genuine and earnest in my desire to help you live a great life – at work and outside of it. This is really important to my vision of a peaceful, more joyful world. Thank you with all my heart for joining me in that.

You now have my permission to turn on your ‘buls**t radar and let me know when I am missing the mark. Please be kind! I have not yet a had a chance to go and change all 300+ pages of my website – this is scheduled for the week before Christmas as I have some office time then to re-craft the site. Just trust the process is in train, and that come 2010, the real, genuine me will be oozing out in spades from all of my web pages and products.

And now your call to action:

Where are you hiding from speaking the raw truth? Where are you compromising your values because ‘that’s the way it is’? What is this costing you, your clients your staff? What might you gain if broke free from the ’shoulds’? (Try integrity, rapport, freedom, confidence).

Be brave. You’re worth it.

With love and appreciation.

Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Author Zoe Routh works with women in business to enhance their personal effectiveness and leadership capacity for global effect. For free tips on how to become a more effective leader that will save you time, money, energy, and stress, go to http://www.innercompass.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zoe_Routh.

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at, Leadership Skills Books.

How To Keep Your Desk Clean (Without Using A Shove

Take a look around you. Chances are, you’re sitting at your desk, or whatever desk-substitute you have. And chances are, it’s a mess.

What’s it going to take to free you from the mess?
A better filing system?
A bigger trash can?
A shovel?

Oh, I know you’re a clean person, don’t get me wrong – but your desk is most likely the landing place for every miscellaneous business-related piece of paper, envelope, sticky note, and notebook you have, not to mention your computer, phone, your keyboard and mouse, plus all the incidentals – pens, tape, paper clips, a glass of water, pictures, paper trays, etc.

Whew!
With all that you ask of your desk, it’s a miracle it isn’t swamped even more. And, maybe it’s time you rethink your desk strategy.

Desk strategy?

Oh yes, grasshopper. The reason your desk looks like a car wreck some days is because you don’t have a desk strategy.

For example, if you are an artist, then your desk strategy could require it to be a space for creativity and expression. And then, a fresh supply of paper, pens, pencils, paint, etc. could be a natural sight on your desktop.

And, if are a webdesigner, your strategy might include gearing everything for the computer-intensive work you do. So, having your graphics tablet, client folders, and computer gear first and foremost would make perfect sense.

But what if you do a wide range of things?

If you’re running your own business, then the odds are better than ice melting that you’ve got multiple desk strategies to handle the various facets of your business.

So, how to manage them all?

Easy. Have a comprehensive desk strategy.

And how, pray tell, do you pull that off?

Simple. As in, keep it simple. Here are the three keys to doing that:

- Keep it clean. One of the beautiful things about keeping a space “zen-like” isn’t just that you have to buy less stuff – it’s that the space is always ready for whatever you have to do.

If you have to move what’s there to make room for what’s coming, that’s a step that just slows you down, and adds to your daily stress quota.

- Keep it handy – or not. If you use your label-maker often, why do you keep it in a box in the closet? And if you reach for a piece of tape once a week, why keep the tape dispenser on your desk?

The rule to remember is, anything you use often, keep it handy. The less you use it, the further away it can, and should, be.

- Keep it together. Chances are, for each of your tasks, there are certain materials that you always use. For example, in addition to your computer, depending on the project, you may use a number of items:

Finances: calculator, bank statements, bills, checkbook, stamps
Writing articles: ideas/clippings, blank paper, favorite pens, templates, etc.
Research: books, notepads, file folders, etc.

If you have to search high and low for every item you use for certain tasks, you’ll be less eager to pull it all out and put it all away each time. And that internal resistance will lead to procrastination, avoidance, and quite often, a bigger mess.

By keeping the items together that go together, you’re making it that much easier on yourself to work efficiently and productively.

It pays to think out of the box…

Who said you can’t have two tape dispensers? Sometimes having multiples of an item allows you to keep all project-related essentials together, which can save you oodles of time and mental stress.

The whole idea is to put some awareness into the way you use your most valuable piece of real estate, i.e. your desk, to save you your most valuable commodity, i.e. your time.

Not to mention, a sore back (from all the shoveling, that is).

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at, Leadership Skills Books.

Source: Free Articles

Leadership Skills – 10 Most Important Skills to Become a Successful Leader

A Leader must posses the following skills to aspire to become a leader.

1) Positive approach towards the decisions:- A leader must have a positive approach to the things happening around him. He must have the ability to keep the environment fresh and healthy. He should be a perfect guider for his subordinates. He should be able to convince the people about the decisions taken by him.

2) Problem solving: – He should always have the right techniques to solve the various problems. He should always see that the problems will be solved. People should be satisfied with the techniques used by the leader.

3) Effective communication: – An efficient Leader must have good, convincing communication skills. He should be able to convince his thoughts to his subordinates in a proactive manner. He should be confident enough before approaching any issue.

4) New ideas: – He should have the perfect ideas for any problems. He should have a challenging attitude. The people working under him should be satisfied with his guidance.

5) Good learner, Listener: – A leader should be a good learner as well as a good listener. He should make appropriate decisions at the time. He should be able to undertake any hold of a difficultly of a challenging responsibility. He should be practical at times as well.

6) Keeping commitments: – He should know the depth of the given responsibility and act accordingly. He should be a good motivator as well as an anticipator.

7) Share expertise, knowledge: – He should share his experiences and knowledge to build good applications and successful projects.

Immediate appreciation: – Whenever someone does a good job he should appreciate it immediately. Also if someone has not done his job according to the expectations, he should discuss with him in person and teach him how to tackle the problem.

9) Decision taking attitude: – To be a successful leader two qualities are important-(1) he should be a balanced person (2) he should be a guider. He should not lose his calm on minor issues. He should be a team- builder and efficient leader.

10) Delegate responsibility and authority: – He should delegate responsibility and authority to his subordinates. This will help to build confidence in them.

Summary:- It is very important to have above mentioned skills for performing leadership role.

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at, Leadership Skills Books.

Author – Anil Purandare

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anil_Purandare

Inspiration Through Leadership

There are many ways to measure our success in life. Some see it as the attainment of wealth and accumulation material things. Others might say raising a happy family is the most important thing to which we humans can aspire. The point is, we’re all different, we all have unique viewpoint and there’s really no right or wrong answer. There is something that the majority of us do have in common, however, and that’s the desire to be looked up to, respected and to give happiness and fulfillment to others. You may be the managing director of a large company, a parent, a teacher; whatever your role in life, your leadership skills gives you the opportunity to earn the respect of your fellow human beings and to attain the success you desire.

It is often said that effective leaders have the ability to motivate others. It is probably more accurate, however, to say that a good leader will inspire others to do what’s best for them. This inspiration can be given in a number of ways. Your passion to achieve a particular goal or outcome will, if shown to others, encourage them to follow your lead. Asking questions that provoke thought and encourage the receiver to reflect and answer internally can inspire people to act in a mutually beneficial way. Engaging in meaningful conversation with others will help them to make effective choices. Continued assistance in setting meaningful goals, and ensuring that reason for the goal is clearly understood, is a very useful way to inspire others. Ongoing coaching, or mentoring, is very important, as it helps those you wish to inspire to continue to make new, good choices. Most importantly, your actions should be a source of inspiration to those you wish to motivate and must align with your words. Lead by example!

Self belief is a crucial attribute of the effective leader. Clearly, it is going to be very difficult to get others to follow you if they doubt your commitment to a proposed venture. Furthermore, you will have difficulty inspiring yourself, if you don’t have faith in your ability to achieve your goals. Self belief leads to self confidence – and this assurance shines through as a beacon to those you wish to lead. The display of confidence is crucial for several reasons. First of all, it gives a clear physical demonstration of leadership; a focal point for others. Secondly, the knowledge of a “strong hand on the tiller” inspires the self-belief in others. A great example of the power of demonstrated confidence is to be found in the tradition of 18th and 19th century ship’s captains to remain a visible presence on the deck of their ships in the heat of battle. Although this practice was to cost the great Lord Nelson his life, it inspired his men to victory and beyond. Thirdly, confidence creates an aura of invincibility in negotiations and other high pressure situations. Keep your cool, and enjoy the benefits that confident, clear decision making will bring.

Whatever the size of your organization, you must be familiar with its workings at every level. You must be prepared to ask questions, read about and research the various aspects of your business. There must be no part of it that you cannot discuss or give advice on. You must be up-to-date with recent developments and be able to talk knowledgeably on all relevant subjects. It is said that knowledge is power and being an expert on your business will earn you the respect of your peers and those who look to you for leadership. Having unexpected knowledge is an extremely effective way to gain an important edge in negotiations. It also has the highly desirable side-effects of increasing your confidence, setting an example to others and inspiring them increase their knowledge and effectiveness.

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at, Leadership Skills Books

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Spinner

Inspiring Leadership Skills

Inspiring Leadership Skills

What is the best way to lead? Do great leaders plow on with their own particular style, or adjust it to circumstances around them?

You may intuitively know that you get the best results through inspiring others, motivation, relationships, rapport, respect and trust. You may have seen the results of this approach but can’t seem to get there yourself. How valuable would it be if there was a way to describe how and why this less authoritarian mode of leadership works, and coach others in it?

Over the last 25 years such an understanding has been growing in acceptance. This principle-based understanding and description of the way all human experience is created cannot be proven ‘intellectually’ but only seen, known and understood experientially. Yet just like gravity, whether one is aware of it or understands the principles of gravity they still apply at all times. Much has been written about the traits and attributes of highly successful teams and leaders; three notable books are Lessons from the Top, A Time for Leadership and Good to Great. The common thread is that these leaders have embraced the need to get things done through relationships rather than force, not just within their companies, their shareholders and their clients, but also through establishing often surprising alliances or partnerships.

Having successful role-models is important and points us in the right direction. However, even this only helps us start to emulate the behaviors which are visible. But try and look like you have inner peace, a lack of ego, full attention on those you are with and a balanced life when you don’t, and other than expend a lot of energy, you’ll end up even more harassed and stressed.

Reflect for a moment on the times you have been around one of these truly graceful memorable leaders or teams who effortlessly get on with people, are good to be around, inspire those around them and get results, even when all around them go ballistic – almost as if without breaking a sweat – and it is probable that they exhibited some, if not all, of these qualities.

Imagine for a moment what impact it would have if you could have more of this healthy and effective way of working brought into your team or company?

The radically different ‘Essentials of Peak Performance’ approach we use is very simple and addresses our state of being and the ‘process’ of our thinking. It works because it helps people recognize how they are creating their experience – that is, how they feel, what they see, what they do and what results they get – by the moment-to-moment state of mind they are in and the thoughts going through their heads. There is no need to reveal and work through limiting beliefs or re-experience past situations.

As we learn to recognize thoughts and how they are often sourced from our historical insecurities, fears and the resulting ego, and how they take us away from being fully present in the moment, we learn the source of inner peace and clarity of thinking.

With increased awareness and mental discipline, we find an escape from worry and stress, which allows more of our natural wisdom, creativity and common sense to come out especially whilst under pressure. This ability also has the effect of helping others regain their bearings and calm down in the middle of a crisis. When we connect with this inner bedrock of calm, we also connect powerfully with those we are talking to and working around us. The combined effect of accessing these qualities and connections is inspiring with correspondingly inspirational results.

Experiment:

* Learn to be more present and fully focused whoever you are with and in whatever you are doing.
* Take shot periodic breaks away from your concentrated efforts. When we are concentrating hard on a problem for prolonged periods of time without a break, we often miss important events around us.
* Look up occasionally and really notice what is happening around you – you might be surprised. You may also find this break will help you discover the breakthrough you were looking for with the problem or challenge you were struggling with.

We learn to think, analyze, reason and make decisions as we grow, however, we do not typically learn how to use our minds in a conscious and disciplined way. However we can learn to understand the effect of our state of mind on our state of being (at the heart of inspiring leaders), its influence on the way we see things in the moment and how well or not we connect with others. This heightened skill and awareness develops a consciously authentic leader who inspires others and the impossible becomes possible.

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at, Leadership Skills Books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Sharpley

How Can You Know Yourself?

How Can You Know Yourself?

Most every self-help courses start with the idea that you must know yourself before you can know what you are going to do and how you will act with others. Even the Bible tells us to “Know thyself.” before you can know God. Even though most people would claim they know who they are, in reality they don’t. People may have a general idea of what they like or want or may even have some sort of direction; but they don’t pursue what really makes them function as they do. Why do you react the way you do? What makes you get angry or happy? Most people can’t begin to answer these questions about themselves.

This is why some people require long term therapy with an analyst to help solve their problems. Psychiatrist can detect the complexities of people much better than the individuals themselves. They realize the layers of entrenched beliefs within the human mind must be approached with caution and restraint.

Common people do not evaluate the physiological side of someone else, because they could not detect abnormal traits without proper training. Even if they tried it would still take a trained professional to make a valid evaluation. Any evaluation of a person would differ from person to person. Certainly your evaluation of yourself would be strikingly different than any persons’ evaluation of you. You would tend to be harder in your assessment of yourself than someone else. Why? Because you know what your expatiations are and if you are living up to them.

Only you would know what you believe in and how you would react to different stimuli. Another person’s evaluation would be based on their own value system and their perception of how it should be structured. We see ourselves and the world from the inside out, others see us from the outside in. They see a projection of us, like an actor in a play. Remember the saying, “the world is a stage and we are only actors,” well it’s true. You project what you believe to be appropriate for the particular situation. That is why it is called “action” because you become engaged as the actor in the act. Because your actions are determined by your associations and experiences. How past encounters are interpreted will establish precedence for how it effects you in the future. No two individuals will make the same judgments and have the same reactions to a given situation. Just like everyone looks different and sounds different they also see the world from a slightly different angle, color and emotion. For a person to know him/herself is to have self assurance, but then, everyone harbors some fears and doubts that they don’t know about.

You can set down and self-evaluate yourself, but your examination would be bias and would never be true in the eyes of someone else. Their examination of you would always be tainted by their own self serving eccentrics. You can only make a determination of how you are going to accept or reject any particular person or thing, but not why you made the assessment. True assessments come from a mixture of previous determinations. These are accounted as values and morals which are driven by your individual, social, financial, physical, interaction, and religious considerations. These differences are what makes you an individual. The fact is, you can know what you want but never totally why you want it. The most valuable contribution you can make to yourself is in the quality of your relationships with others. Be truthful, faithful, and diligent in all that you do. Honesty, and forthrightness, comes as a result of your doing the right thing. So, don’t worry who you are but rather concentrate on how you are.

Developing a positive attitude.
No one is guaranteed to live life in a rose garden. You are bombarded daily with stressful and negative events that there is no getting around. At times life really stinks but you still have to face the relationships, jobs, financial matters, physical fitness, religion which all pose questions and all present challenges. Each phase of life will present complexities unique to that particular period in your life. How is your inner self contending with all the complexities you face on a daily bases? You will never be completely free from challenges but by knowing yourself you can face adversities with confidence. Each life event can be met with the assurance that you can and will triumph. It is important that in the face of adversity that you are collected and maintain a positive attitude. Anything can be overcome by a person who knows what his/her limits are and with the right attitude. It is attitude, without a doubt, that is one of the most important things you possess, and guess what, you are in control of it. It’s up to you how you greet the world and everyone in it. Positive is met with positive, and your positive attitude will reflect a winning personality. Let’s face it, success and failure are the same, only on opposite sides of the rule. It’s the law of cause and effect. If effects are to be changed, the cause must be altered. It’s the law, nothing personal, it’s the same for everyone.

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at, leadership skills.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ – Free Articles Directory

Inspiration Through Leadership

Inspiration Through Leadership Skills Books
There are many ways to measure our success in life. Some see it as the attainment of wealth and accumulation material things. Others might say raising a happy family is the most important thing to which we humans can aspire. The point is, we’re all different, we all have unique viewpoint and there’s really no right or wrong answer. There is something that the majority of us do have in common, however, and that’s the desire to be looked up to, respected and to give happiness and fulfillment to others. You may be the managing director of a large company, a parent, a teacher; whatever your role in life, your leadership skills gives you the opportunity to earn the respect of your fellow human beings and to attain the success you desire.

It is often said that effective leaders have the ability to motivate others. It is probably more accurate, however, to say that a good leader will inspire others to do what’s best for them. This inspiration can be given in a number of ways. Your passion to achieve a particular goal or outcome will, if shown to others, encourage them to follow your lead. Asking questions that provoke thought and encourage the receiver to reflect and answer internally can inspire people to act in a mutually beneficial way. Engaging in meaningful conversation with others will help them to make effective choices. Continued assistance in setting meaningful goals, and ensuring that reason for the goal is clearly understood, is a very useful way to inspire others. Ongoing coaching, or mentoring, is very important, as it helps those you wish to inspire to continue to make new, good choices. Most importantly, your actions should be a source of inspiration to those you wish to motivate and must align with your words. Lead by example!

Self belief is a crucial attribute of the effective leader. Clearly, it is going to be very difficult to get others to follow you if they doubt your commitment to a proposed venture. Furthermore, you will have difficulty inspiring yourself, if you don’t have faith in your ability to achieve your goals. Self belief leads to self confidence – and this assurance shines through as a beacon to those you wish to lead. The display of confidence is crucial for several reasons. First of all, it gives a clear physical demonstration of leadership; a focal point for others. Secondly, the knowledge of a “strong hand on the tiller” inspires the self-belief in others. A great example of the power of demonstrated confidence is to be found in the tradition of 18th and 19th century ship’s captains to remain a visible presence on the deck of their ships in the heat of battle. Although this practice was to cost the great Lord Nelson his life, it inspired his men to victory and beyond. Thirdly, confidence creates an aura of invincibility in negotiations and other high pressure situations. Keep your cool, and enjoy the benefits that confident, clear decision making will bring.

Whatever the size of your organisation, you must be familiar with its workings at every level. You must be prepared to ask questions, read about and research the various aspects of your business. There must be no part of it that you cannot discuss or give advice on. You must be up-to-date with recent developments and be able to talk knowledgeably on all relevant subjects. It is said that knowledge is power and being an expert on your business will earn you the respect of your peers and those who look to you for leadership. Having unexpected knowledge is an extremely effective way to gain an important edge in negotiations. It also has the highly desirable side-effects of increasing your confidence, setting an example to others and inspiring them increase their knowledge and effectiveness.

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at, Leadership Skills Books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Spinner

Optimism With Leadership Skills Books

Your Toolbox For Optimism

With the tough economy this year, I suspect we’ve all been challenged more than usual to find and practice optimism amidst the challenges of income loss and job loss and the host of issues that come with economic stress. Since optimism has been shown to have important tangible benefits in our lives–better physical and emotional health, stronger and more satisfying relationships, improved career performance, etc.–it is even more important to renew our efforts to nurture our optimism. But how do we practice optimism when it feels like the chips are down?

I’ve created an optimism toolbox–strategies we can put into action when our optimism practice needs a boost. Put any of these simple and cost-free tools to use when you feel overwhelmed, and focus on the positive energy you generate as a result:

* Avoid negative environments–not always possible, but negative energy can spread like a virus. Spend time with positive people and situations as much as you can.

* Reframe your thoughts–when faced with a tough patch, reframe how you think about it to see the positive possibilities, not the stumbling blocks. Look at it as an opportunity to grow and it will become such.

* Pay attention to your language–if you are always playing devil’s advocate or saying, “Yes, but…” to situations, your behaviors and thoughts follow the language you choose. If you choose your language to reflect an optimistic outlook, actions and behaviors will follow suit.

* View adversity as temporary–sure, we all experience challenges and chaos, but if we see them as temporary situations that we can get beyond and come out stronger, then we keep moving forward rather than become mired in moping.

* Focus on strengths–optimists focus on what they do well, not what weaknesses they think they need to correct.

* Altruism–helping others with what they need, not what we think they need.

* Innovation–optimists are open to new ideas, willing to take risks, able to see and seek new possibilities.

* Look for partial solutions–optimists are not perfectionists. When we let go of the impossible perfect scenario, we can keep on the positive track by making progress step by step.

* Visualize success–optimists mentally rehearse going through whatever challenges may face them and coming through them with positive outcomes.

* Non-denial of stress–stressors exist, but optimists anticipate them and work through them. They aren’t Pollyanna-ish living in a happy bubble and they don’t become paralyzed when things get tough. Hope springs eternal, and our best is yet to come.

* Nurture success–at work, at home. Create an environment where you believe people will do well, people will grow in positive ways–people will respond to an optimistic environment.

* Sublimation of energy–have a lot of anxious/angry energy? Divert it to positive pursuits like athletics or creative hobbies or art or cooking.

* Focus outside ourselves–the quickest road to misery? Focus solely on ourselves. quickest way to optimism? Focus outside: on others and how we can help them or how we can learn from them; on projects that inspire us; on strengths that we want to grow.

* Practice spontaneity–this is one I want to work on. I have lots of routines and schedules and I find comfort in them. But when we make it a point to be spontaneous, we give ourselves the opportunity to expect positive outcomes, to visualize success in something new and out of our normal, comfortable routine. We give ourselves the gift of growing optimism. so take the dog for a walk in a new route, take a different road home, tell a loved one you love them when they least expect it. Spontaneity is fertilizer for optimism.

Optimism takes practice. But with these cost-free tools, we can practice seeing the possibilities and the positives in anything that comes our way.

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at,Leadership Skills Books: lessons in optimism

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liz_Stubbs

Leadership Skills Books- Do You Have the Makings of a Good Leader?

Many people want to be a leader-they think it’s cool to be able to boss people around, have people follow them, or to always be in the forefront getting all the glory. But that is a warped view of what leadership really is. There are 12 character traits of a good leader. Let’s look at each of them in detail.

Leaders Serve Others:
This is a biggie. Leaders actually serve. They care about others they are willing to get their hands dirty. They come alongside people and get their hands and feet muddy. They don’t sit in their office just giving orders for someone else to do it. They are willing to show people how to get it done.

Develop Leadership in Others:
Leaders train others to become leaders. They believe in and trust the people who follow them. They share, delegate, give and share credit to others for their ideas and contributions. They are not a “glory hogs”.

Listen to Others and Communicate Effectively:
Leaders listen to the counsel of others. They listen to the criticism of others. They are not defensive. They don’t get angry nor do they wilt away. They accept and even welcome impute from others for they know it is a way to make the situation better or themselves better.

Good Planners and Decision Makers:
Leaders work with others to set goals and develop schedules.

Inspire Others:
Leaders inspire others to do their best, to try harder, and to remove the limits on their dreams. Yes, they inspire their followers to do what they never imagined was possible.

Learn and Grow:
Leaders are in a continual process of learning. They look for better ways to do things.

Positive Attitude:
Leaders are “the glass is half full” type of people. They are alert, energetic, optimistic, resilient, and hopeful-in spite of disappointments or setbacks.

Have Integrity:
Leaders have integrity, they are true to their word-and if they can’t keep their word they will let you know why they were unable to do so. They set a good example of honesty and trustworthiness.

Take Responsibility:
Leaders take responsibility for their own action and for the actions of their followers. They don’t shift the blame.

Take Risks:
Leaders are willing to take risks-try new ideas. They are not reckless but they are willing to experiment.

Take Good Care of Themselves:
Leaders have balance in their lives-they work and they take time to enjoy life. They take time to think and to relax.

Are Good Followers:
Leaders seek mentors whom they can follow. No one knows everything and because a leader is willing to learn new things he is more apt to follow one who is more knowledgeable.

The truth is that good leaders were once good followers. And even in that capacity they thought before acting, planned ahead, were considerate of others, were willing to serve, re-evaluated their decisions in light of new information, were open to learning, desired to be better and to do better, and was able to communicate-thoughts and ideas in an effective manner. But they did more too.

They were willing to ask questions of the leader, they didn’t blindly follow but they were wise in their decision to follow the leader-they knew, understood and agreed with the direction the leader was going. They didn’t follow the leader if it would have hurt themselves or someone else-they utilized their intelligence. By using your intelligence it will save time and will give you a chance to grow and learn from others. Neither a leader nor a follower allows someone else to think for them. They assess the situation, they review the facts, they gather opinions, and then they make a decision for themselves.

If you want to be a leader of tomorrow today-develop the character of a good leader and you can start by being a good follower. Are you willing to learn?

Michelle J. Dyett-Welcome is the author of Excuse Me! Let Me Speak…A Young Persons Guide to Public Speaking, The SMART Guide to Public Speaking, Excuse Me! Let Me Speak! Student Guide, and The Excuse Me ! Let Me Speak Teacher’s Manual. She is a professional speaker, copywriter and President of S.M.A.R.T Copy Designs Inc.

http://smartcopydesignsinc.com And lives in Far Rockaway, NY with her husband Dwain, their two sons, pet dog Peaches and their three cats–Silver, Buttons and Shadow. Visit http://excusemeletmespeak.com/ to learn more about leadership and public speaking.

Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: Writes and compiles articles on
leadership skills. There are more articles, videos, lots of free stuff
and products at, leadership skills books.

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