All of us have decisions that we make on a minute-by-minute basis. Some of these decisions are much larger in scope and influence than others. Some affect just you, your family, or your company while other decisions reach a much broader level of influence, affecting many more lives. With every decision comes a reaction – the basic cause-and-effect scenario that we all learned about early on in our lives. Sometimes, we make great decisions, and yet there are other times wherein, in hindsight, our decisions were blurred and found to be incorrect. Either way, if we are to be a true leader, we must hold ourselves accountable for the decisions that we make. We cannot scapegoat others when our feet are rightfully placed to the fire.

A true leader accepts the responsibility for his or her individual actions and decisions, no matter if those actions and decisions were good or bad. If the decisions were great, it is okay to accept a quick pat on the back. If the decisions were terrible, it is time to accept the responsibility for those decisions and quickly find a way to work to resolve the situation as best as possible. And then, a great leader will take heed of this experience and learn from the mistaken decision in an effort to ensure that it never happens again.

We all can easily turn on the television and watch the news or simply find breaking news articles and blogs online that all point to a debatable circumstance that is currently happening wherein the people or companies are not being accountable for their own actions. Examples are plentiful, including a few of my current favorites. Many people were angry at Tiger Woods and his lack of initial accountability when dealing with his numerous cases of infidelity. More recently, there is ever-growing outrage over the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, political candidates and officials tend to find scapegoats along the way too.

Personally, I cannot see any way around holding yourself accountable for your own actions if you want to be the best leader possible. If you do not hold yourself responsible and accountable for what you do or decide, how can you then hold others accountable for what they do or say?

Successful, two-way communication is truly a key to anyone’s success. When it comes to leading, possibly no other trait is as powerful as listening. Scratch that – listening is really not enough. Instead, leaders need to be active participants in the listening process. As the former leader of Chrysler, Lee Iacocca, notes in his autobiography that “too many people fail to realize that real communication goes in both directions.” So many people want to tell others what to do without getting any feedback. I am sure there are times and places for such direct orders (i.e. on the battlefield while in the middle of combat), but, when the opportunity arises, a leader takes a few extra moments to listen and absorb what others feel and think. The leader tends not to rush to judgment; instead, he or she gives those under his direction a chance to speak and share their ideas and perspectives. Experts like Warren Bennis even acknowledge the great importance of active listening and openness to becoming be great leader!

Here are five other articles that I would recommend for your reading and leadership learning pleasure:

-          The six skills for successful active listening by George Ambley

-          Ways good leaders listen to others by J.B. Blend

-          How good leaders listen by Todd Pheifer

-          Leaders Must Listen With Their Eyes and With Purpose by Leanne Hoagland-Smith

-          Irony of opposition leaders by Scott DeRue

There are managers, and then there are leaders. We should not confuse the two; while leaders do manage, not all managers lead. Of course, one of the best ways to lead a tribe is to do so by setting the example. Leading from the front takes courage, but it can really make all the difference in the world. When you are a leader, you have a following, and your followers are counting on you to set the standard.

For example, those under your direction look up to you as a leader and expect you to do certain things, like:

-          Arrive to work early and/or stay late

-          Stand up for what is right

-          Ensure that favoritism is avoided at all costs

-          Willing to step in to help when the going gets tough

-          Follow the rules

-          Don’t abuse your authority

Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing. (Albert Schweitzer)

If you can set the example for your followers within the tribe, so much more productivity and motivation can be achieved. It is amazing just how something that appears so small can make such an impact! Tribal members need the leaders to engage, participate, and set an example. It is my great understanding that actions speak so much louder than words. It does not take much to talk a good game, but it does take discipline and leadership to act according to what we say! Being a leader is not easy; otherwise, everyone would be one. One way to become a better leader is to set an example and lead the way from the front!

Leading is a difficult challenge, and leading takes many different forms, but I feel that there are a few traits common to most leaders. One of those is the art of taking a risk!

As Leo F. Buscaglia once famously said… “The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.”

Risk-taking is not a new thing, for we all take calculated risks on a daily basis; however, some do more than others! Also, some people do not make calculated risks (with little to no pre-planning), for they sometimes just wing it, and that does not always end up desirable! In today’s face-paced world, time is of the essence, and those who can make a confident decision and act upon it tend to get rewarded more than those who wait and wait until all of the facts come out.

Here are a few examples: First, think about the successful technology companies out there like Microsoft and Google. Do you see them waiting until they have all of the pieces together before launching something? Or do you see them risk it and push out a solid product that they will continue to improve as required? Second, think about the first time you tried something new at a restaurant. I have recently tried sushi and vegan entrees for the first time in my life; talk about a small but important risk. As a result, I now know what new things I like and dislike! Third, have you ever decided to ride that roller coaster or skydive from an airplane? Those are both risks, but many see great rewards in each – I certainly do! Lastly, have you ever seen the guy that sees the girl across the bar and never approaches? He was acting very risk-averse – afraid of rejection. Imagine what could have been if he just risked a little and stepped out on that limb! The possibilities and opportunities are endless!

Chris Widener notes that “Most people are risk averse. Not the leader!” Furthermore, Chris asks the following: “Are you known as a person who is willing to take risks? If so, you will become an extraordinary leader!”

So, should you just take every risk that comes to mind? Probably not. Instead, I feel that you should assess all of your options and take those risks that you feel will bring you closer to achieving your ultimate goals. I try to do just that and encourage everyone else to strive to do the same! If you want something or someone, go for it! A little pre-planning and thought will also go a long way, but, at the end of the day, you cannot climb the challenging wall without first taking that risk! Be a leader and take the calculated risk, for you may just surprise yourself and even a few others!

In an ever-growing world of technology, we find ourselves at new crossroads never seen before. In recent years, for example, we all have seen exponential growth in the popularity of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn! As this popularity continued to rise, more and more people entered the world of social media, and, like in other cases, some people simply found themselves hooked. We only have some many minutes in a day, each minute is a commodity that we cannot get back once we use it up! Hence, there are great opportunity cost associated with each decision that we make.

Recently, I read a blog post by Alycia Birch that reminded us all about the debate about social media’s effects on students. As many experts are pointing out, more students are being consumed by social media networks like Facebook, and this is having a negative effect on their standardized test scores and other aspects of their academic pursuits. How will this affect today’s students as they move forward into the workplace? Are we losing more competitive edge to students abroad? This is merely one example of how social media is being frowned upon.

As for me, I find it critical that we all do our best to manage our time in more efficient ways. It might be best if we plan ahead and set aside time for our priorities first. When I was younger, my family told me that I needed to do my homework before I went out to play, and I feel that we need to instill more of this discipline in the younger generations of today and tomorrow. But, it does not stop there; this social media addiction concern is not just limited to students in middle school, high school, or even college, for it extends into the workplace. There are many worries that our workplace productivity is being harmed by this addiction. Hence, we all need to manage our time a little bit better, including me! We must find better ways to accomplish the priorities while still setting aside personal time to enjoy the various fruits of life, including technology! So, let’s all strive to find better balance in our lives!

There are skeptics out there who are not willing to take a risk and engage in the world of social media. Some are afraid of change while others simply do not feel that they know enough about it. Then, there are some that know that their competition hasn’t engaged the customers through social media means. All of these are given as reasons for staying away. EXCUSES! But, what these individuals, businesses, brands, and organizations fail to realize is that social media and related Web 2.0 and beyond technologies are great opportunities that can aid their efforts in many different ways. What works for one company, brand, or organization won’t necessarily work for the rest – it is not a universal solution, for, instead, social media and related technologies and marketing efforts should be shaped and tailored to fit the needs and goals of company, brand, or organization. There is no copy and paste; alternatively, proper planning and preparation are needed to reach optimal success. Those rules (the need for planning and preparation) haven’t changed, for only the environment and landscape have changed. Just like football evolved from predominantly a running game to that of a passing game, marketing has evolved from television and newspapers to online media marketing. However, as in the past, the need to preplan and coordinate is just as great if not more so now than ever in the history of marketing. With new options and opportunities comes some added complexity in the marketing mix. But, determination, persistence, and planning will go a long way.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Who are your customers?
2. Where do your customers frequent online? (Facebook? Twitter? Blogs?)
3. What do you want to communicate to your customers?
4. Are you willing to listen to your customers?

For decades, more and more people have surrounded televisions around the nation and even the world to watch the Super Bowl. In its 44th annual installment on Sunday, more and more companies are looking at ways to do one of two things. One: those shelling out nearly three million dollars per 30-second advertising spot are wanting to maximize their visibility as best as they can. A great example of this is GoDaddy.com and its extended commercials (and conclusions) that are online following the airing of the Super Bowl ad. Two: some large companies are simply forgoing the costly route of producing and broadcasting their advertising messages within the normal Super Bowl channels. An example of this is Pepsi and their sudden departure from Super Bowl commercial placement. After 23 straight Super Bowl appearances, they are throwing all of their Super Bowl marketing budget behind social media! They are wanting to make a bigger difference and appeal in the world, and social media is allowing them greater success through their new Refresh Project.

While we do not know which team on the field is going to walk off with the Lombardi Trophy, one thing is for sure – the real winner will be social media. This illustrates how marketing is going through a paradigm shift of sorts. Mass media channels are simply not the only way to go if you seek national or global brand recognition. We have a new set of tools at our disposal, and some are tinkering with these new tools. Of course, there are a few companies and executives out there that are oblivious to this change that is rapidly fermenting; it is time to jump aboard the Social Media train.

Whether in the world of business or in the world of personal challenges, we cannot allow fear to own and control our every move. According to Sven Goran Eriksson, “the greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” To succeed, we must take risks, but we also cannot simply take risks so foolishly. Instead, we should plan and prepare accordingly, and then we can take those appropriate risks! As I mentioned in my last blog, I like to challenge myself and take a chance! I do not mind trying new things. In doing so, I am becoming a better person, discovering great new things along my journey. Also, we cannot simply give up. There are occasions where you may endure a setback or possibly fail, but you must not quite. Sometimes, we just have to get back up and try again. Other times, it might be best to reevaluate and just try another route.

In 2008, I was looking to try a new adventure, and, as a thrill seeker, I found skydiving to be my next challenge. Sure, jumping out of a perfectly good airplane at approximately 10,000 feet can be a bit scary, but I did not jump unprepared. Instead, I researched about the sport of skydiving, and then I acquainted myself with the equipment that was going to allow me to safely perform this thrill! In addition, I followed the safety guidelines of the USPA and absorbed the necessary knowledge from the skydiving instructors. In the summer of 2008, I completed my first jump in Saginaw, Michigan. I then went on to jump three more times that summer, each time learning from the previous experiences. Below is a video of my third jump. While I had jumped twice before this video, this was the first time jumping out of the Cessna 206. As you may be able to see, I tumbled a little bit while exiting the plane, a mistake that I corrected on my fourth jump. Also, I miscalculated my landing, slowing my parachute down a little early -- hence the harder than normal landing. Each time, I learned and then improved from mistakes’ lessons.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYyCJJhs3s

We cannot allow fear to get in the way. With proper training, guidance, and knowledge, anything is possible, and we must always remember that! Set S.M.A.R.T. goals! Make them specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Do not be afraid to fail; instead, we must maintain motivation, continuously learn on the fly and as the environment changes, and enjoy the journey!

Like the Old Proverb says… Where there’s a will, there’s a way! So, maintain your will, find a way, and do not be afraid to fail!

Too often, we are content with what we currently have, and we tend not to welcome change. This occurs both within our personal lives and certainly within the business world. Too often, we are left behind when we do not look to new adventures and social trends. Of course, there are numerous examples of this within our very lives. Personally, I have never tried tofu. As a proud meat and potatoes kind of guy, I have never taken the liberty of ordering some, but that all changed last evening. I tried blackened and barbequed tofu with rice; even though I favored the barbeque-seasoned tofu, I liked both! Was it a risk? Sure! But, it is a good risk, and I am willing to try almost anything new for the sake of knowing what I truly enjoy and refining who I am as a person! As a result of me embracing this opportunity, I have gained a taste for a new food, something that I know for future reference (one more great option to pick from)! Take another example like social media! It has helped us connect in ways that many of us have never imagined. For some, it helped reconnect with lost friends. For others, it helped reach a new niche market and gain increased revenues and new loyal customers. Many people have shied away from this newer technology and social phenomenon. For those who decided to embrace it, great things have occurred. Certainly, it is not the universal answer, but it opens up great and new doors – new opportunities!

No matter what part of life you focus on, there are changes just waiting to be made. These are not just the ridiculous or irrational changes, for there are numerous others as well. Do you need to take every turn in the roadway? No, but we also should not be unwilling to make promising changes in any part of our lives! Letting such opportunities, both business and personal, pass us by simply pushes us further away from achieving our optimal greatness! While some changes may be mistakes, avoiding all types of change (and hence opportunity) would unfortunately be the greatest mistake. Hence, we should embrace change and get a head start on our competition. Make the best of life and write your own future instead of simply following someone else’s plan.

Branding is a challenge for people and companies alike, and the addition of advancing technologies both assist and complex this endeavor. Also, it should be noted that the strong brand today cannot simply sleep on yesterday’s achievements, for the customers are powerful and demanding – what are you doing for me today? We live in a world wherein loyalty to brands and companies is decreasing by the minute; each customer has more and more options at his or her fingertips. Consequently, while your brand can reach out to exponentially more customers than in previous decades, the brands and the representatives monitoring and marketing those brands have to stay on their toes! Your brand is constantly being judged, and its value will rise and fall like the stock market.

A brand has to be cultivated and nurtured. It takes hard work and dedication. One thing that we all need to realize is that brands are not isolated or unique simply to the products and services offered by Company A or B! Instead, brands are being extended to you – you are a brand, and social media is illustrating this more and more. Mitch Joel mentions in his highly recommended, exceptional book, Six Pixels of Separation, that “in this digital age, your personal brand will be your most powerful ally (or enemy)” (p. 127). He continues by noting that “branding is the heart and soul of a business – and of the people who make up that business” (p. 129). He is right on target with this one. Branding is at the core of everything the business does and offers. The same is true for the person, you! And those brands’ value will rise and fall, much to the dependency upon what you do with it! Each brand is unique, and the customer is watching. The customer is bright and very keen. Do as Mitch Joel reminds us and be passionate about your brand – in what you do! Don’t let your brand or your passion be fake, for the customer will smell that from many bytes away just like it does when you fake a smile!

So, is your brand on the rise? Or is it simply on the downward slide? Will it reach its potential? All of that is up to you! Are you willing to put forth the time and effort in to make it the best that you can?