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!

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?

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!

Technology is changing more and more in this fast-paced business and consumer world. Businesses are scrambling to keep up with these changes. The traditional means of conducting business is no longer acceptable or viable. Take the communication channels of yesterday versus those of today.

Traditional: We do not send postal mail like we used to. As a result, while the United States Postal Service (USPS) gets more efficient and embraces technology to allow customers to send mail with ease, the cost of shipping each package has increased because the traffic and sheer volume of postal mail has decreased. In fact, to reduce the bottom line and operating expenses, the USPS has considered cutting their Saturday services.

New Age: Email still remains a valid means of communication, but this is even changing as social media is taking over. As Brandon Eley and Shayne Tilley point out in their book, Online Marketing Inside Out, that many of today’s youth don’t check their emails that often and instead rely on their favorite social media channels to act as their communication tools.

Change is ongoing and inevitable. As the great social media guru, Paul Gillin, reminds us in his enlightening book, Secrets of Social Media Marketing, to simply EMBRACE this CHANGE! By embracing the changes within business and marketing… and communication, we put ourselves into the conversation and into the game. If we do not, we will end up struggling to stay significant and lose any hopes of maintaining pace with the industry leaders. So, are you willing to embrace the changes today? Do you want to keep pace with the competition?