|
Leadership Article
Leadership
Starts With Giving: Three Secrets to Attracting More Success in
Your Life by Making a Difference
By Ed Sykes
 Leadership starts by giving. The more we share with others, the more
we make a difference in our businesses, our careers, and our
communities. Let me share the following leadership story of making
a difference:
Joy had just finished a successful women’s leadership presentation
for an organization. She stopped at the local mall. As she opened
the door, she noticed a twenty dollar bill on the ground. She
looked around and picked up the bill and called me to share her
exciting find. She asked me what we should do with it since no one
was apparently looking for the bill, and I suggested she bring the
bill home and we could discuss it.
That night, we debated about what we should do with our good
fortune. We agreed that we could not keep it since we gained it at
the expense of someone else’s bad fortune.
Then the answer came to us. One of our favorite television programs
mentioned that the free healthcare program they help sponsor was
short of their financial goals for an free health clinic they were
holding in New Orleans on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by
$300,000. This was our solution! We went online to the
organization’s website and donated twenty dollars to their cause.
Well, soon after we heard that the organization was able to meet
their financial goals, due to thousands of small contributions, and
hold the free health clinic for two days, helping thousands of
patients with their health needs. Some patients were able to find
out that they did have health challenges, some life threatening,
while at the free health clinic.
I share this story to illustrate the power of the leader within us.
We are all leaders, and we can make a difference in our lives by
giving more. The following are three leadership secrets to being
more successful by giving more:
·
Opportunities to Give are All Around Us
There are opportunities to give all around us. Open your “giving
senses” to the opportunities that are available. Giving doesn’t
always mean donating money. Volunteer and give your time and
expertise, which could be just as important. If you are at work,
leadership starts by sharing your knowledge with new employees. In
your community, share your time, money, and/or expertise with
community or sports groups. One of our favorites is the American
Cancer Society.
·
Your Individual Actions Lead to Big Results
Often, I am asked, “What we can I do?” You would be surprised how
the smallest action can lead to big results. Just by taking the
step, you are taking action to make a difference. At work, if you
take time to give encouragement or let your manager know that you
support his initiative by sharing your ideas can make a world of
difference in the workplace. In your community, taking a small
action can ignite others to also make a difference.
·
Recruit Others to Give
Leadership is about recruiting others to make a difference. Recruit
others to be passionate about giving. Sometimes it comes down to
what’s in it for them to volunteer and give their time, money,
and/or expertise. Along with making a difference, you might mention
that giving allows others to see your skills and this can lead to
new opportunities.
Take the time to show your leadership skills and give so that you
can make a difference. You create new opportunities and enhance
others, while feeling good about the whole process.
Suggested leadership reading:
Seven Secrets to
Being the Leader Everyone Wants to Follow
Five Secrets to Becoming the Perfect Employee
That Everyone Wants – Part One
Have You Appreciated Someone Today?
Nine Ways Johnny Carson Can
Help You Run Outstanding Meetings
You Mean I Need to
Promote Myself to Get a Promotion? 5 Promotion Secrets to Get the Job You Want!
Five Secrets to
Gaining Credibility with Your Team for Outstanding
Results
How Appetizing Is
Your Feedback? (5 Steps to Giving Effective Feedback)
Ten Techniques for
Motivating Others Through Chaos
10
Action Steps to Motivate Yourself to Great Accomplishments
Eight Ways to Motivate
Part-Time Employees
Delegate to Accelerate Success
(How to Prepare
Yourself and Others for Success)
Appreciate to Motivate
(The Key to Successful Team Building)
The
Greatest Gift of All - The Gift of Empowerment
Leadership Secrets for Challenging Times
Ten Quick Tips for Outstanding
Presentations
Dr. Seuss's "The Cat in the Hat" Will Help You Get
Your Point Across! (Yes you can, here's the plan!)
How to Set Boundaries and Say No
|
