Leaders Create Positive Change Not by What They Know, but Simply by Who They Are
Jason, this month because of the new products, we are going to put these announcements and the offer at the beginning of the issue where we would normally start the article. Just put a note in the This month’s offer box referring to the top of the page.
(For the Jan issue since now that we have the new welcoming statement first on the left so the offer has moved down, let’s experiment revising the template so that This Month’s Offer is always at the top of the page, perhaps in a box like it is now placed near the inside of the curve on the left and with a gold frame matching the one around my picture. Perhaps have it be a bit wider but not as tall as it is now if need be and put the title of that month’s article to the right of it. Or, instead of putting the title there, move the issue date from where it is now down onto the white area next to the gold box with this month’s offer. Please experiment with some variations on this and send them to me before 12/15 so I can make a decision on the template before I do the Jan issue. In the new year I will be sending the issue out on or before the middle of the month.)
Jason, the picture below of the sun and plane is too big, but I leave to you to adjust. I downloaded in two formats, several different pix from which I choose this one to use. I have to use the older format which has ext of .cil, but you may prefer the newer one with ext of .mpf so I am sending you both files so you can use which ever one is best for you in case you need the original pix.
Jason, here’s the text for the November/December 2004 issue. This issue will be shorter than others but for this time of year I think that is fine as people are so busy.
Announcement and This Month’s Offer!
It is with great delight that we announce the publishing of five new E-books now available on our web site. They are:
The Crucial Difference Between Teams and Work Groups and How to Make Them More Effective – A 32 page manual with processes and instructions
The Process of Change Revealed Workbook or I Want the Keys to Getting on With the Challenges and Changes in My Life!
Three e-books in the area of individual spiritual development. Development as a person is inseparable from development as a leader. As leaders, or aspiring leaders, we must give attention to our inner spiritual and emotional growth, not just our intellectual learning.
During this season of thanksgiving and celebration, we want to extend our thanks to you for your interest and your business. We are offering a special 15% discount to all our subscribers on any one purchase made, in any combination, of these five new items. The inspirational works make great Christmas gifts and all are downloads, so no wait and no shipping costs. Don’t delay because this coupon is only good until December 7, 2004! Click on the link below to get your 15% discount on these new items.
The Road to Leadership: Passion
Our organizations demand effective, heartfelt, committed leadership. Leadership is more art than science. Being a good leader is more about who you are and how you manifest that than what you know. One important element in really great leaders is that their passion for their mission, whether expressed flamboyantly or with more reserve, must be unmistakable to those whom they lead.
Passion is an intense emotion that compels action. When we feel passionate about our vision for the future it provides us with an unequaled source of energy. It enables us to survive setbacks and to persevere in the face of challenges and uncertainties. In passion we know ourselves to be fully alive and are profoundly grateful for it.
Effective leaders are passionate about their vision. Individual communication styles vary, but what they all have in common is the power to move people. Passion is communicated through clarity, intensity, commitment and authenticity, regardless of style.
CEO's interviewed had this to say about Passion
Ulf Petersson, President, Megadoor, Inc., Peachtree City . Manufactures and installs overhead doors for civilian and military aviation, mining, aerospace and others with similar needs.
"I can hardly think of any successful company that hasn't been started with a tremendous amount of passion. I think the entrepreneurial drive requires passion, but as an organization changes you have to be careful with entrepreneurial passion. I think passion has to play an important role in your company."
L. B. “Bud” Mingledorff, President, Mingledorff's Inc., Norcross. Carrier HVAC distributor for the state of Georgia since 1939 and one of the largest Carrier distributors in the country.
"I really love the concept of passion as a piece of leadership because I don't think that anybody can lead anything if they have no passion about it. Leadership has so much to do with pulling people along rather than pushing them along. To pull you have to be able to shape their opinions.
It's very difficult to shape people's opinions about things that you have no passion about yourself. Passion relates to energy and energy relates to really being able to get control of your life. When people think that someone else is in control of them, then they don't have much passion.
You have to teach people that their jobs are how they perceive it. They teach you in kung fu that competition is within you. What you're doing is you're competing with your inner self to become your very best. And if you can become passionate about that, then how can you not be passionate about your job because it is you.
The other thing is that people can get passionate around a new idea. There needs to be something new from time to time, a central idea that people can then take and go out and develop within their own teams.
David Whyte in The Heart Aroused said, "Being in touch with fire and passion seems to be an essential need for the soul of a human being."
If you want to soar, and take others with you, unleash your passion for what you are doing!
Tool of the Month - Passion Meter
Do I communicate my passion and enthusiasm for the company's vision and for my job?
Do I connect often enough and directly enough with those who need to see my passion?
Are my actions each day congruent with what I say is important? Do I walk my talk?
If I answered any of the above questions “no”, what obstacles are in the way of communicating and sharing my passion for the vision, the company and my job?
What can I do to positively address these obstacles?
Will I commit to taking action?
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 = none and 10 = maximum, what level of passion do I have about what I am doing?
Tip of the Month
Feeling excited about your mission or a specific project? Are you second guessing yourself about demonstrating it fully, because you fear seeming “over the top”? Let your enthusiasm flow! Nothing is more potent or more contagious than authentic delight in what you are doing. When you feel it, the people you are leading and managing feel it, and they perform accordingly.
Sneak Preview
Coming in January – previously available only to clients, is our very practical and usable Conflict Resolution and Relationship Enhancement process. Developed over many years in working with clients, Marie has taught this process to clients who have subsequently used it successfully in resolving volatile situations or taking relationships to a new level. It works at home too!