Why Not Establish Key Elements for Leadership Success?

"If your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more,
do more and become more,
you are a leader."
John Quincy Adams

Leadership is more than just a title or a position. Comprised of numerous and often undefined facets, leaders struggle until they define some simple, fundamental elements that can help to focus energy and talent around those leadership components that will have a positive impact on their business. For me, there are five elements that can help set apart the mediocre from the extraordinary in terms of leadership that can lead to ultimate business and life success.

1. Results centered. The results centered person has not only clearly defined objectives and goals for themselves, but they always communicate and clarify those results to key stakeholders.
2. Influence people. Not through coercion or manipulation, instead, the successful leader has the ability to inspire others to get on board with the key desired results.
   
3. Initiate and manage change. not waiting until the year end financials or customer service complaints arrive, successful leaders proactively measure and monitor consistently employee and customer interests and satisfaction.
4. Business acumen. Understanding the critical elements of their business, successful leaders have an understanding of their products and/or services, as well as their roles and responsibilities.
   
5. Build partnerships & teams. Leaders appreciate that without followers there is no need for leadership. Establishing strong relationships, selecting the right employees, the right partners and the right customers takes skill and talent.
   

Being labeled The Leader can be a daunting responsibility. Establishing key elements can help successful leaders focus time, talent and energy towards cultivating attributes that can lead to thriving relationships, growing business and sustainable communities. I thought I would share with you my key elements. Now, I am interested in learning what others identify as those key elements that have led them to business success.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Voices of Leaders that Have Lead

When faced with conflicts or indecision, James Allen recommended that

"Circumstances don't make a person, they reveal him."

When faced with outright fear, Andrew Jackson reminds us that

"One man with courage makes a majority."

When taking ourselves way too seriously, Queen Elizabeth suggests

Let us not take ourselves too seriously.
None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.

When faced with leadership challenges, be advised by Lao Tzu...

"Go to the people, Learn from them. Live with them.
Start with what they know. Build with what they have.
The best leader when the jo is done, when the task is accomplished,
the people will say we have done it ourselves."

When frustrated in living your dreams, learn from W. B. Yeats to share...

"I have spread my dreams beneath your feet.
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

Great Leaders Transform Activities into Purposeful Action

“When you engage in systematic, purposeful action,

using and stretching your abilities to the maximum,

you cannot help but feel positive and confident about yourself.”

Brian Tracy

All too often, people engage in work or relationships without consciously evaluating what they want. As a result, there is confusion and missteps on how to move forward in their roles and responsibilities.

The key to productive, effective and even efficient performance is to focus on the purpose. When we align our thoughts, attitudes and behaviors towards achieving goals that are directly related to our purpose, we accomplish amazing results.

Great leaders understand this philosophy and make sure that all the team players fully understand, can articulate and embrace the purpose of their job. Priorities are much easier to establish. Goals become more focused. Synergy is prevalent.

Being a transformational leader takes commitment, openness and accountability. Influencing people to fully engage mind, body and spirit to achieve synchronicity will always optimize potential. It all starts with purposeful leadership.

Are You Effective in Leadership Style?

Numerous styles of have been shared over the course of time. In my research, I have decided to share two very specific theories which describe behaviors that demonstrate how effective or ineffective a leader can be.

In the 1930's, Dr. Levin, a psychologist, led a group of researchers in a study which established 3 types of leadership - Authoritarian, Delegative, and Participative.

• Authoritarian, also known as autocratic, was a style where the leader tells you how to think and act. It's the leader's way or the highway. A tremendous amount of distinction between the boss and the underlings and never the twain shall meet.
• Delegative, also known as laissez-faire, was a style where the leader offers little or no guidance and leaves the decisions up to the group.
  
• Participative, also know as democratic, was a style where the leader offers support and guidance. This leader actively seeks input and actually listens and responds to suggestions. In this type of leadership, the leader actually actively engages and participates within their team.

In the 1990's to the present, Dr. Paul Taffinder, an world renowned expert in leadership has been researching and publishing about seven styles of leadership. In 2006, Dr. Taffinder published these interesting styles of leadership in the book entitled, The Leadership Crash Course.

• The Transformational Leader is a style that transforms commitment and levels of performance, highly goal directed and willing to go against traditional approaches.
• The Enforcer is a style that are cautiously optimistic while driving towards very specific, defined objectives.
  
• The Deal Maker is a style that attracts followers because of the energy, enthusiasm and interest in the new and exciting.
  
• The Administrator is a style clear in what needs to be achieved and ruthlessly follow through.
• The Visionary is a style that inspires people to dream of greatness but fail to follow through.
• The Serial Entrepreneur is a style that is imaginative, but calculating, gamblers, displaying huge energy and commitment and sweeping people along with them because they make seemingly impossible challenges achievable
• The Spin Doctor is a style that seems to be everything a leader should be, but their behavior is inconsistent and self-serving.

These are two different approaches to defining styles of leadership. Both experts researched and identified traits and abilities that demonstrate varying degrees of effectiveness as a leader. At any given time, people will demonstrate any and all of these leadership styles. The question now becomes, how can we aspire to become like the traditional style from Dr. Levin's research, participative leader? And the next question, which in my mind now becomes imperative in this time of indecision, ineffective decisions, entrenched styles of leadership become truly transformational as Dr. Taffinder recommends?

I'm interested in your thoughts.

The Danger of Making Excuses

Transferring responsibility to others has become one of the greatest tricks of the last few decades. The second greatest trick is placing the blame. In either case these actions are called making excuses.

Here are some common EXCUSES:

• My boss is a jerk, that's why the company is failing.
• The government has made very bad decisions, that's why this country is failing.
• My spouse or partner doesn't listen to me, that's why our relationship is failing.
• My subordinates doesn't know how to do their job, that's why my division is failing.

I could go on for pages and yet I'd like to stop with these four.

My boss is a jerk, that's why the company is failing.

This excuse is really interesting, after all who hired you, or at least is currently keeping you in your position. The boss is far from perfect and so are we. What if we considered that our boss hired us for our strengths, our talents, our creativity, our differences from them in order to find new ways to ensure the company's success? If so, why not take the responsibility to find ways to work with the boss in order to make the company grow and flourish?

The government has made very bad decisions, that's why this country is failing.

This excuse is really popular and takes us off the hook for all the decisions make regarding our economic, social, health and educational position in the world. How much do we know about our rights and responsibilities in a democracy? What are our roles and obligations to help keep this country a world leader?

My spouse or partner doesn't listen to me, that's why our relationship is failing.

In my opinion, this is an excuse of convenience . How often are we having conversations that we reach mutual understanding and respect? What can we learn and do to help us become more honest and effective communicators and collaborators?

My subordinates doesn't know how to do their job, that's why my project, division, community, or family is failing.

This excuse is total abdication of responsibility. What have we done or are we doing to ensure that our staff, subordinates, team mates, children have all the tools and resources they need to be benefit from from influence? How can lead others to make better decisions and take action on those goals to ensure great teamwork ?

I am learning to appreciate that I only have control over me. Which means that I need to own my roles as a follower, a community member, a partner and a leader. I then need to develop those skills and talents that will help me to become a positive influence on others. Making excuses is dangerous, leaving damage, destruction and disappointment in its wake. Consider contributing, rather than making excuses and imagine how amazing the world and our lives would be.

There's More to Life and Business Than Ego

A powerful strategist and leader, Napoleon Bonaparte could have been a truly extraordinary leader, instead he used superficial motivation and intimidation to get the job done. Unfortunately, he ultimately failed because he forgot to forge a purpose and his ego got in the way.

3 Signs of Ego

Dangling superficial incentives in front of people.

Napoleon once said, "Men will die for ribbons." As a result, thousands of soldiers marched to their death. Bonaparte was banking on his men to honored with short term recognition. As a result, he won battles at enormous cost and finally lost the war.

Suggestion: Find methods of recognition that are more lasting and meaningful. One suggestion is giving a person a project and allowing them to plan and manage with appropriate supervision (keep in mind, I am not saying lack of supervision). I, for one, thrive in this type of environment.

Any suggestions for incentivizing people?

Using position as entitlement

Known as a small man, Napoleon often tried to intimidate others with his dress, thrown and his title. He was often described as a megalomaniac and as a result had very few true supports. Followers are not the same as supporters, they are often doing a mediocre job because it is easier to stroke someone's ego than to stand up and do the right job in the right manner

Suggestion: Keep in mind that a position of leadership is a privilege. A title does not give a person power, even if they have the authority. A truly great leader will continually earn the respect of their team. One sure way to lose people is to say "I'm the boss and this is the way it has to be."

Any suggestions for how to effectively have authority and power?

Lacking integrity and honor

Napoleon didn't care how he achieved his desired ends. He lied to other heads of state, religious leaders and pretty much one to get what he wanted. He hired criminals and bribed officials to ensure results.

Suggestion: Keep in mind that at the end of the day, all we leave with is our character. I would much rather it be said of me that I am a person of my word, than to have someone say "I can't trust Laura.

Today, healthy business leaders let go of their ego and provide an environment of appropriate acknowledgment and rewards, lead from a positive position and act with honor and integrity. When this happens, employees will always excel and support the company's vision.

Focus, Faith, and Fervor

When embarking on a new endeavor or relationship, we often fail to appreciate what it will take to ensure success. In fact, quite honestly, I had not nearly often enough considered the long term effects of those quick, easy and sometimes even thoughtless decisions I have made in jobs, relationships, and life in general. Then it struck me that there are three essentials that can and will ensure the degree of our success. Focus - Faith - Fervor

Focus is the starting point

"What you choose to focus your mind on is critical because you will become what you think about most of the time..." Noel Peebles

Finding the focus, that central theme or purpose for our actions and existence, sets the stage for a healthier, more productive and definitely more satisfied existence.

Some Focus Finding Questions:

• What impacts me?

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• What interests me?

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• What inspires me?

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Faith is the second point.

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history." Mahatma Gandhi

Finding our faith, that unshakable belief that we have the strength, resourcefulness and talent to live and work in a manner that always, always contributes. This is the midpoint for fulfillment and satisfaction.

Some Faith Finding Questions:

• How do I totally support myself in my focus?

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• How do I tap into that universal source of strength that holds me unshakable to my focus?

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• Who can help to restore my faith in my focus?

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Fervor is the is the third essential component.

Even the knowledge of my own fallibility cannot keep me from making mistakes. Only when I fall do I get up again.

Vincent van Gogh

Some Fervor Finding Questions:

• How do I get motivated?

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• How do I get back on track once derailed from my focus?

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• What would ignite that candle of passion when there is no fuel left?

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It's within our power to change lives, companies, communities and the world with focus, faith and fervor.

5 Steps to Success

"1. Optimize potential
2. Facilitate empowerment.
3. Implement visioning.
4. Strategize priorities
5. Augment core structures."
Connie Willis

One would generally ascribe the above list to a corporate executive. Connie Willis is a science fiction writer, a leader in her field. Often, we fail to expand outside of our profession or field of interest. Just doing a little research, can net amazing nuggets of wisdom.

Thank you Ms. Willis for 5 profoundly simple steps to success and life.

Be a Little Crazy - THINK DIFFERENT

Here’s to the crazy ones. The rebels. The troublemakers.
The ones who see things differently.
While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

Appeared on a poster from Apple

Think Different! This slogan was used by Apple from 1997 until 2002. It still is used in some advertising with Apple.

Be a little crazy today and THINK DIFFERENT.

Today, I will think different about...

Instead of being a writer, I am an artist in words..

Instead of being a nurse, I am a health engineer.

Instead of being a consultant, I am a change agent.

Instead of being a teacher, I am a motivator.

Instead of being a student, I am a future leader.

As we actively notice our thoughts, we can appreciate that those thoughts may actually be setting the tone for the day, our live and certainly our success

Instead of being practical, I am a little crazy - No I take that back, today, I intend to be really, really crazy.

How about you? Will you be a little crazy and Think Different. I can't wait to hear the results.

A Healthy Leadership Approach to Change - Flexibility

Although we may not want to acknowledge it, Change is inevitable. Because of this inevitability, we can choose to actively resist, accept or actively engage. Research is showing the degree of flexibility an individual, group or organization possesses often times determines the degree of leadership and success.

Healthy flexibility does not mean with each change we bend and adapt in any direction. It does mean that learning how to deal with change more effectively can actually optimize the experience to ensure that the change or the decision not just accepted but is positive.

Here are some simple leadership steps to healthy flexibility:

1. Name the change, clearly and factually. This may seem apparent but often times we notice a difference and move instantly to like or dislike. When we identify the facts regarding the change we actually have specific information that can help us to make more thoughtful decisions. We meet a new person - Fact - meeting someone new is a change. At this point. we don't know if that change is positive or negative.

2. Identify the risks. This the time to do a cost benefit analysis. What are the costs to me, the team, the family, the community or company at large. We often stay focused in the area of what's in it for me and greatly limit the potential affects of the change. This successful business woman wants to join a community wide task force, boat loads of money, short on ethics. What are the risks?

3. Clarify the degree of vulnerability that the change will elicit to all involved. Same example, the resources that the woman brings to the table are quite useful. Providing codes of conduct and standards up front. She joins the group. She attempts to make some decisions that may not align with your standards. The group shares the ground rules. She agrees and supports or gets angry and threatens to leave and take her money. Now, we need to determine the degree of risk

4. Find the healthiest support systems. These support systems need to be internal and external. Thinking through the above situation independently - my vote lose the money and find another source of income. I can lose my money, I will not lose my character. If the group disagrees, I now have a second choice - accept the change or leave . I gracefully and factually share my concerns. The group makes a choice. Desperate for the dollars, the vote is to follow her recommendations. I make the choice to leave the group or the job and still have my character and self respect.

Four simple, but certainly not easy steps. For me this a healthy leadership approach to change.

Overcoming Fear

What motivates? What leads some to leadership, contribution, courage, commitment, while others are resistive, passive, angry, destructive? These are age old questions. The good news to these questions are each individual has the answer. The bad news, each individual has to take the time to discover what had become buried over years of rejection, fear, intimidation and anger.

Acting with caution and staying quiet is becoming the norm. Taking the initiative to add value and make constructive changes draws attention and can set one up to be a target. Doing a job reasonably well and staying under the radar is safer than standing up and standing out.

Although people don't realize what has happened, fear has become one of the greatest motivators. One the greatest gifts a leader, mentor, coach, parent, partner can give to others is the gift of overcoming fear.

In 1987 Susan Jeffers, PhD first published Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. Her outstanding book provides five great truths:

Truth 1: The Fear Will Never Go Away As Long As I Continue to Grow.

Fear and anxiety will always be bubbling up to the surface. That's the nature of those butterflies that show up when you are given a promotion, enter into a new relationship or simply entering a new day.

Truth 2: The Only Way to Get Rid of The Fear of Doing Something is to Get Out and Do It.

Lack of action and actually actively resisting taking the next step is the worst thing any of us can do. Taking one small step at a time. Always moving towards your dreams and goals is better than letting them die.

Truth 3: The Only Way to Feel Better About Myself is to Go Out ... and Do It.

Tired of being tired and overwhelmed. Feeling anxious and worthless - set short term goals and notice your energy rise and your sense of accomplishment increase.

Truth 4: Not Only Am I going to Experience Fear Whenever I'm on Unfamiliar Territory, But So Is Everyone Else.

This is one time when appreciating that everyone, I mean everyone has fear. Even the most confident person we know has some degree of fear.

Truth 5: Pushing Through Fear is Less Frightening Than Living with the Underlying Fear that Comes with that Feeling of Helplessness

Want more good news, everyone, and I do mean everyone has courage. Find your courage.

Remember the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz. He felt his fear and did it any!

Building AWE

AWE is defined in thefreedictionary.com as "a mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might."

What leads us to this emotion can be distilled down to three phases.

1. Awareness
2. Wisdom
3. Enjoyment

Some thing, some one, some experience triggers a response. It can be a work of art, music, a lovely autumn day, a conversation with a friend, a headline in the news. This "trigger" leads us to some level of awareness. This awareness can occur in a board room, a class room, over the internet, on a walk, driving in traffic. In reality, it is happening all of the time.

Once we are now aware of that stimulus, we use our wisdom, our beliefs to interpret what that information means. Our resources for making those interpretations comes from our personal and professional library. This library is the storage space where we have collected facts and fiction, illusions and inspirations, tips and tidbits. How we apply our wisdom actually takes us to the next level.

This final phase is enjoyment. How we move through those first two phases of awareness and wisdom will directly lead us to a wide and varied degree of enjoyment. We can experience amazing inspiration or overwhelming devastation, this certainly will determine our level of enjoyment.

Today, am making a conscious choice to do three things

1. Be aware of my actions, relationships, interests, environment
2. Expand my wisdom to how I am relating to myself and the outside world
   
3. And ultimately, experience enjoyment in the transitions and growth
   

What level of AWE would you like to experience?


What are three things you can do right now to help you get to that level of AWE?

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 
   

Healthy Leadership; Get Rid of Self-Deception

Definition of Leadership - “ a process of influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others (I'd like to include SELF) in the accomplishment (of a goal) or task.”

Definition of Self-Deception - a process of denying or rationalizing away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument. Self-deception involves convincing oneself of a truth (or lack of truth) so that one does not reveal any self-knowledge of the deception.

source: Wikipedia.com

For too long, the issue of self deception has been the realm of deep-thinking philosophers, academics and scholars working on the question of human sciences. the public remains generally unaware of the issue. that would be fine except that self- deception is so pervasive it touches every aspect of life. "Touches"is perhaps too gentle a word to describe its influence. Self-deception actually DETERMINES one's experience in every aspect of life.

Source: From the Preface of Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by the Arbinger Institute

Leadership and Self-Deception offers the theory that we all behave in "boxes." And further develops the concepts of How we get in the Box and What it takes to Get out of the Box.

The Arbinger Institute has taken a great leap forward over the last decade in promoting self awareness and self reflection to help every individual, no matter what their age, to look at all those actions and behaviors that limit our success in every aspect of life. Encouraging the philosophy that one powerful way out of those limitation is changing those limiting beliefs to become a powerful, influential, and health person for ourselves and others.

This book certainly has caused me to review how often I deceive myself in my degrees of success and health relationships, responsibilities and achievement of my life's purpose.

The Power of the Vision

"In great deed, sometimes abide.
On great fields, something stays.
Forms change and pass, bodies disappear
but spirits linger to consecrate ground for the vision place of the soul.
And reverent men and women from afar
and generations that know us not
and that we know not of,
shall come here to ponder and to dream
and the power of the vision
shall pass into their soul."
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain

Life can be a pointless stroll or a purposeful adventure. When we have a powerful vision in front of us, we find motivation and energy. When we lack purpose and strategy, we often miss opportunities to enjoy life and fully actualize our skills, talents and existence.

The leader, whether a parent, a partner, an employer or employee, that instills vision surrounded by clear, healthy, positive values creates a environment of pondering and dreaming. And, once that vision is been embraced, great actions are taken and astonishing results are achieved.

A few questions to consider...

What vision(s) are you pondering and dreaming about?
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What vision are you putting out there today?
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What actions will you take today to achieve that vision?
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I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas and visions.

Talent - Nature and Nurture

Nurture, defined in the traditional sense, can mean family influence. However, that definition has been expanded over time in the societal sense to environmental influences, those influences outside the individual. Nature, is defined as the traits we are born with or nature has directly affected.

Appreciating that we don't come into this world as a blank slate - there are some factors that we are born certainly that can and will affect our careers, our performance and our lives. Nurture now also comes into play. What factors can and does influence our talents. How we use them, display them, and develop them.

There have been numerous instances where a person was born or acquired a physiological element that if there had not been a nurturing factor, the person would have failed. One great example comes to mind, Helen Keller. At a very young age, she was affected by a disease that left her blind and deaf. In spite of these limiting factors, she was nurtured (influenced by a mentor) Anne Sullivan to become an international author, speaker and leader.

So why focus on nature and nurture. Yes, we come with to life, experiences and work with certain traits and talents. Interestingly enough, we can actually destroy natural talent as well as develop it. There are just as many individuals, perhaps more, that because of nurture have either not developed their talent at all or have even used their talents to destroy and to damage.

When we identify what are our natural talents, we can create a baseline but that is best not to be the only factor. To nurture talent is like starting a fire with very little fuel. A spark is created and something is added or not. A word of encouragement can change a life. Just as a word of criticism can shut that life down.

Every day we have an opportunity to overcome and/or enhance our nature and develop our talent. With the right nurture, we are creating a formula for growth and success. Appreciating nature and nuturing talents is one of the greatest endeavors one can embark on, that's why I passionately pursue talent development .

We're all Health Leaders

Are you influential in leading your community back to health? Did you know every choice you make impacts your environment? Building healthy communities begins with focusing on individuals and the community as a "whole". The physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the "whole" community are of equal importance.

Our role in assisting communities toward health begins with being an effective role model. It is human nature to mimic the habits of others. Commit to your own good self care for others to follow. Collaborate with co-workers to create strategies for stress management and exercise programs, and healthy food options in your organization. Be a facilitator of change by building positive relationships, and developing good communication skills.

We are all health leaders when we motivate others to seek their own good health. Promoting community health begins by setting an example of self responsibility and taking responsibility to help others.

Judy Rienzi

Aim High

Aim high! Believe in yourself!

I once had a mentor - a man whom I look up to and who has been there for me in many situations. I now realize why he meant so much to me. He has never told me how to solve my problems, instead he gave me something more powerful - the desire to go after my dreams.

He shared with me that from a very young age he was privileged to go with his father as he conducted his daily business. His dad allowed him to drive the family vehicle in alleys and side roads when he was barely able to reach the car pedals. His father would walk along side on foot to the next house. By the time this man was fifteen, his father experienced a life threatening accident and because of my mentor’s ingenuity and courage—he was able to provide for his family of six while his father recovered.

The father’s dream was for his son to go on to college and become a doctor. But this man was hooked. He loved the family business and decided to leave college, despite what his father felt at the time. In fact, his father did not talk to him for several weeks, and for this respectful, kind man—that was a lifetime. But, finally, he won his dad over. He could go into the family business.

My mentor told me that he saw each day as an adventure –a new opportunity to take the business to a new level, offer better service, receive a higher price, and give back more to the community. He started small but always thought big! As his business grew, he was able to expand and grow his business into one of the leading businesses in my community.

Every day he viewed each day as a new experience. He inspired me and countless others to choose to dream big and shoot for the stars! Although he has passed, I still can hear his voice, his wonderful presence and he helps me to aim high!

Live on Your Terms - "Explore. Dream. Discover."

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover. "

Mark Twain

If you feel life is passing you by, it probably is; that's the nature of time. However, the person who is willing to explore, dream and discover will at least have life pass by on their terms.

Questions to ask yourself:

What have I explored (looked into closely; examined carefully; investigated) about

• myself?
• my company?
• my community?
• a new interest?
• how would I handle this challenge?

What have I dreamed ( a condition or achievement that is longed for) about

• myself?
• my company?
• my community?
• a new interest?
• how would I handle this challenge?

What have I discovered (To be the first, or the first of one's group or kind, to find, learn of, or observe) about

• myself?
• my company?
• my community?
• a new interest?
• how would I handle this challenge?

To explore, dream and discover take courage and positive energy and yes will lead to great opportunities to live life on your terms. It's sounds to me a lot better than "being disappointed twenty years from now."

What about you, interested?

The Influential Leader

"A leader is best when people barely know he exists,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say: We did it ourselves."

Lao-Tzu

The most lasting and sustainable type of leadership comes from a position of influence. The Free Dictionary by Farlex defines influences as "A power affecting a person, thing or course of events, especially one that operates without any direction or apparent effort."

You aren't the leader because you're the President, CEO, Captain of the team. You may hold the title because you inherited it or one day you were promoted into it. You are the true leader because you have earned it and people will follow you no matter what challenges or obstacles may crop up.

The influential leaders is the one, that from their very core, believes and acts as if it more important to take the right course of action and always make the "politically correct" choice. This leader puts their own self interest and position aside because they are aware of their teams talents, strengths and interests. They give their team the power to make decision and mistakes, to take the risks and experience success and failure. Always accountable, this leader will take the blame, but not the credit.

As an influential leaders, being willing to walk the talk, do the right thing, listen to our heart and the hearts of the team leads to extraordinary results. To know that lifting people up is more important than tearing them down. That with courage, conviction and belief in others we can step aside and let the best do their best.

When lead by influence, rather than control, the company or team will make the profits, hit the targets, win the games and create new paths. Everyone gains as talents and assets are optimized. And, in the end, enjoys the moments when the team says, "We did it ourselves."

Don't Just Treat the "D's" - Get to the Root of the Problem

Problems show up all the time. For a person, long term problems show up as disease. For a family, problems show up as dysfunction. For a community, they show up as destruction. For companies, problems show up as distrust. Disease, dysfunction, destruction and distrust are just four of the many "D's" that are displayed.

When the four "D's" show up, we only reach out for help when the pain and discomfort becomes to difficult to bear. The immediate interventions occur to alleviate the obvious symptoms, tests are conducted and more long term treatment is prescribed. We go home, back to our lives, our communities and our work- cured - for the time being. Feeling better, we decide not to follow up with the experts, time passes, the symptoms become a memory. Then one day one or all of these four "D's" show up and we not just repeat the past, we actually are worse off than before.

Here's my recommendation for overcoming those four "D's" - Create a Root Cause Analysis Process

Step 1: Identify the problem. Ask yourself and others, "What has happened?" The immediate, on the surface answer may seem apparent. Be careful not to want to go for the quick fix. Be sure this is not a pattern and not part of a bigger problem.

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Step 2: Identify ALL the symptoms. Ask yourself and others, "What symptoms are your seeing, feeling, thinking are really present?" Now, really dig down and investigate to be sure this is not a pattern and not part of a bigger problem. Make this as extensive a list as you can

Step 3: Identify the potential causes of the problem. Ask yourself and others, "Why did this particular symptom occur?" For every individual symptom, identify specific causes.

Step 4: Identify the root cause. "What are the patterns?" Common themes and issues will show up. This is where we need to start to work.

Step 5: Map out a long term solution. Ask yourself and others, "How can I actually overcome this problem?" Include resources, support and ideas that will lead to a cure, not just a short term fix.

Consider these five steps when you want to overcome and not just treat all those "D's" in your life.