http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/help-yourself-to-leadership.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/help-yourself-to-leadership.html Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:58:06 -0600
From as early as Kindergarten, we are introduced to the competitive ways of the world. A sports day may seem like a bit of fun, but every child wants to win and every parent wants them to. Then through school and college we all want to be on the best teams, or be crowned prom queen etc. Ambition and self confidence go hand in hand. To succeed, both of these qualities are vital, one or the other will get you nowhere.

Let me explain further. You are the cog in the wheel that holds your whole department together. Your work output is extraordinary, your attendance exemplary but you are stuck in your position while people are leapfrogging you to the top. You would love their job, you know you can do it, but your self confidence and inability to sell yourself at that major interview is what`s holding you back.

There can be major differences between a good boss and a good leader, which one would you make? Look at your own boss, which one is he? In the perfect world, the ideal boss is a motivational leader, who gets the best out of his troops with encouragement and praise but is also approachable, without crossing the line into `friendship`. Would your present colleagues accept you as their leader or would there be conflicts? There is a lot to be considered as far as promotion is concerned.

You need to establish where you are lacking to be able to improve it. The next step is realistic, reachable targets. If you are a quiet, gentle soul, no amount of any kind of help will turn you into an ambitious, power hungry beast. You can however, bring out your leadership qualities. Get yourself noticed more, don`t hide away in the corner and pretend to be invisible. If you do a good piece of work, don`t slide it into the tray when no ones looking; stride up to your boss and give it to them personally. If it`s on the PC, print of off and show him. Make him realize how good you are at what you do.

Interviews have most of us shaking with nerves; our preparation is fine until we step into that room. Relaxation is the key, easier said than done. If the interview is for promotion within your company, don`t rattle off facts and figures and attendance etc, they know all that. Tell them things they don`t know, tell them a story about a particular piece of work, and blow your own trumpet. When it comes to the crunch question `why should you have this job` reply `why shouldn`t I?`.

There are many self help groups around, so find one in your area and sign up. Your career will thank you for it.

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You can have access to articles about self help in portuguese language from page Self_Help

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/self-help-to-leadership-the-ladder-to-power.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/self-help-to-leadership-the-ladder-to-power.html Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:44:28 -0600
Self help to leadership is a ladder to accomplish power that is expected to be started in the early stages of life so that a person is capable to taking responsibility. It is a must that anything started should be completed and any work done should be the best. This thought prepares even young children to gain incredible satisfaction on getting things done right. Self help to leadership can be initiated with young people joining clubs and student councils, while adults can get enrolled with some community club or church or some other business networking group. Initially, occupying a low power position and later gaining experience to responsible positions is the right entry level for aspirant leaders.

Volunteering work such as providing assistance to people in need, fund raising, performing specific services, etc teaches being and handling the authority role of leadership. Volunteers normally have less pressure and it is the best to understand self help to leadership. Initiate and take up new challenges with confidence as holding a leadership position in a small team gives an opportunity to widen to new ability levels, organize and study problems and to take a responsible part. Being responsible is one of the focused self help to leadership that allows you to concentrate and complete.

Self help to leadership is a ladder to claim power, but this needs honing speaking skills, writing and presentation style as well. These are the valuable skills that offer a realistic evaluation of leadership style and maintaining calm, even if there is lot of turmoil going inside, is one of the unbeatable talents that need to be honed. Self help to leadership need not necessarily begin from a working place or associations; it can slowly start with your group of friends as well. Look for a right opportunity and kindle a special interest or even a common interest and keep making agendas, minutes, update regularly, make simple alterations, offer ideas and guidelines, and slowly this will become professional.

Staying active most of the times is a great quality and develop a good listening skill, besides reading extensively about leaders, business magnets, politicians and many more famous people will give you guidance and inspiration. Unknowingly, you will realize that all excellent leaders of yester years as well have faced typical problems of yours, but knowing their style of handling the situations will be of great help.

Meet people from different backgrounds as it boosts your confidence level and offers valuable experience. Observing and studying others and handling adverse reactions without any harsh expression on the face are certain qualities that is tough to be developed, but is essential as self help to leadership. Reading self help books for leadership is of immense use as it throws light on various leadership elements, and some of the notable books are handling criticism, negotiating, emotional intelligence, asking questions, inspiring others, and more.

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You can have access to articles about self help in portuguese language from page Self_Help

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/the-five-commandments-of-leadership.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/the-five-commandments-of-leadership.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:19:46 -0600
The first commandment to self help on leadership refers to the vision that has the ability to view a big picture, and this separates the leaders from followers. Leaders should improve on working to imagine what it would look in achieving goals that relate to future. Leaders should be good and clear communicators and they should develop the ability to share their vision with others, as well as get it done from others by knowing who they are, what they can do the best, recognizing their positives, their abilities and to know what they stand for. Setting an immense version enhances self esteem, personal pride and self respect, when based on virtues and values.

The second commandment to self help on leadership refers to understanding the mission and working towards the future with courage. Topping this, self help on leadership is to maintain a clear written goal and plan of action. Courage is the main virtue that makes the leaders face without fear and to combat or confront it, despite the fact that they may be scared. Leaders should act boldly without asking for guarantee, and should develop the courage to make progress in fulfilling any vision staying by their values. Followers are the people looking for guarantee and are always filled with suspicion, such that their limitation is to only take orders.

The third commandment to self help on leadership refers to realism that enables to see the world as a reality and not as something else. Accepting reality and viewing it without any false pretence is the key quality of leadership to enhance their commanding behavior. The self help on leadership is to observe the objectives, strengths and weaknesses, but to never play games. Integrity is the essence of realism and living with it needs a strong and courageous mind that makes a fine reputation. The essence is truthfulness in every action, walking, talking or breathing, and this leads to absolute adamant behavior about existing in truth and hence integrity is thought to be the foundation of self help on leadership as an important quality.

The fourth commandment deals with taking responsibility that implies self reliance. Self help on leadership focuses responsibility as they do not fall back or expect others to do things for them. Leadership quality is accomplished when no excuses are made and neither do they blame others, besides they also do not complain or explain. If they find the situation unsatisfactory, they refrain from bad mouthing and simply take the responsibility and accomplish it. They never hesitate to volunteering responsibility mainly because they are aware to reach the level and sustain it.

The last but not the least is the fifth commandment to self help on leadership is to tune the mind to stay firm and exercise leadership by motivating and explaining the organizational situation, praising work, solving complicated problems, yet trying to be plain without being too submissive or very authoritative.

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You can have access to articles about self help in portuguese language from page Self_Help

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/have-you-written-a-book-for-leaders.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/have-you-written-a-book-for-leaders.html Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:10:41 -0500
At LE Publishing, authors are treated better:

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Instead of selling books to a general audience, LE Publishing sells your leadership book to a leadership audience, which increases your sales, the impact of your book, and word of mouth marketing!

Instead of charging you an arm and a leg for copies of your own books, LE Publishing offers you an 80-90% discount, which beats a 50-60% discount any day!

Instead of small royalties, LE Publishing offers you 50% royalties on all books sold through LE Publishing efforts!

Instead of publishing your book in one or two years, LE Publishing takes pride in its ability to get your book published in approximately two months!

At LE Publishing, authors are treated better because we are here to help you succeed.

At LE Publishing, we maximize your income and your impact.

You might already have an audience (a market, database, or ability to reach people), and if so, then publishing with LE Publishing is the perfect move because we can effectively and efficiently multiply your efforts.

If you don't yet have an audience, that is fine. Why? Because LE Publishing authors gain access to more than 980,000 leaders in organizations as diverse as Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, non-profit groups, small businesses, universities, professional associations, and training and consulting companies.

LE Publishing is the book-publishing arm of Leadership Excellence, a proven leadership magazine that has been equipping its readers for more than 25 years! As a LE Publishing author, you gain access to these readers through articles, book reviews, discounted ads, book promotions, eblasts, website presence, and more.

Are you ready to take advantage of what LE Publishing offers? If so, simply send an email to dtanetwork@directtoauthors.com. We look forward to serving you.


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Brian Mast is an author, editor, and book publisher. He has written, edited, helped, or published over 80 books with more than 1.6 million copies in print. He is the contact person for LE Publishing and can be reached at 254-399-0010 or dtanetwork@directtoauthors.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/school-fundraising-tips-a%80-part-2.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/school-fundraising-tips-a%80-part-2.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:12:04 -0500
Ordering Your Product

Once your students and parents have finished selling, it's time to place your order. Some companies provide a master order form that simply needs to be filled out and be submitted by fax or email. Some companies are set up so that your order can be submitted online. Others require that copies of each student's order form be mailed directly to the company or a packing house. Make sure you understand in advance how your order will need to be placed so that you don't waste time trying to figure it out once you have all the forms and money in hand!

Paperwork

Double check your order before you submit it and after you receive any paperwork back from your fundraising company. A few extra minutes going over everything can save a lot of headaches later. Keep copies of everything in file in case you need to refer to them at a later date.

State Sales Tax

Each state has specific rules regarding fundraising. Make sure you are up to date on your responsibilities as to what you have to declare on federal, state and local tax returns. You can consult your professional fundraising company for guidance with this.

Delivery of Your Fundraising Product

Many fundraising companies can give you an estimate regarding delivery time once your order is placed. Try to find out this information and pass it on to your students and their parents. Specific dates and times for deliveries are also usually provided in advance by phone or email. Find out how your fundraising company will communicate this information to you and then advertise the details regarding when students and parents can pick up their items to hand out to supporters. Make sure to work in enough time that you can check the orders before passing them out, however, so that the process is smooth and no one comes you saying the items are missing! A fundraising campaign that delivers promptly looks good to your donors. In the future getting additional funds from them will be easier since your reputation is already established.

Volunteer Appreciation

During the course of the fundraiser you may want to put a program together to motivate your students. A combination of team and individual awards tends to work very well. Why not offer a pizza party to the class with the most sales or a gift certificate to a popular store for the top seller in the group? Students and parents are always appreciative if their hard work is recognized! And don't forget about your parent volunteers. A tub of cookie dough or even a public thank you can go a long way in helping you to earn repeat help for your next fundraiser.

Missing Items or Other Issues

Make sure you are aware in advance of how your fundraising company will handle missing or damaged items. Will a replacement or refund be provided? Do you need to fill out specific paperwork or simply call to let the company know that there is a problem? How quickly will the situation be corrected? Having the details in advance will allow you to deal with any issues that arise and allow you to answer questions posed by your students, parents or their donors.

If your school's fundraising campaign is run smoothly, everyone will be happy, your profits will add up and people will be more likely to work with you again in the future.

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Jolian Grant is owner and operator of http://www.justfundraising.com.He has over 16 years experience helping schools,churches and youth groups acheive their fundraising goals. To date Jolian has helped raise over 45 million dollars for charitable causes.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/performance-appraisals-a%80-5-key-strengths-to-highlight.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/performance-appraisals-a%80-5-key-strengths-to-highlight.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:31:22 -0500
Performance feedback is clearly a necessary evil, as it allows a company to reward and recognize its best employees to motivate them further. For employees who aren't performing at optimum levels, it provides a structured way of working with the employees to raise their performance.

From an employee' perspective, it is thus critical to ensure that your performance appraisals capture the best of your work during the period under review. The performance appraisal form becomes a permanent record that will have an impact on your career not only in the same organization, but may also be used as reference if requested by a future employer.

Obviously the most important thing to include in your performance feedback is achievement of your business goals or metrics. List down the key metrics and provide supporting evidence on how you achieved those goals. Include also challenges or obstacles that you managed to overcome.

Regardless of the industry, company or role you're in, incorporate the following 5 key strengths in your performance appraisals. There is great emphasis on these values as they form the foundation for a company's corporate culture, and are critical for its survival and long-term growth.

Key Strength # 1: Focus on customer satisfaction - describe how you contribute to increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty for the company's long-term growth.



Key Strength # 2: Teamwork and collaboration - highlight how you build lasting relationships with other teams and work collaboratively to achieve common goals.



Key Strength # 3: Open communications - emphasize your willingness to listen to new ideas, or to adopt alternative approaches


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Key Strength # 4: Interpersonal skills - stress your ability to work with all levels within the organization.



Key Strength # 5: Adaptability to change - illustrate how you're able to adapt in the face of constant changes in the organization or industry

High ratings in these areas will enhance your technical or functional expertise, and will make you a more valuable player within the organization.



David Russell (author for Phrases For Performance Appraisals)
www.PhrasesForPerformanceAppraisals.com




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David A. Russell is the author of the Phrases for Performance Appraisals Resource Guide, which helps professionals prepare and submit well-written performance appraisals. More information about the resource guide is available at: http://www.PhrasesForPerformanceAppraisals.com



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/school-fundraising-tips-part-1.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/school-fundraising-tips-part-1.html Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:01:01 -0500
Fundraising Preparation

This has to be stressed up front or you will be. Make sure that you've picked a professional fundraising company and a product or program you feel comfortable with. Make sure that time has been allotted for the campaign and that you have a written plan of your objectives. Once the campaign has started and you have people coming to you for decisions this plan will be what keeps you focused and on track.

Management

There are many steps involved in a fundraiser, each of which will need to be supervised. You may have to handle the co-ordination of students and parents, the collection of money and the delivery of the product. If the fundraiser is on a large scale it's a good idea to have other people working with you. Delegating tasks will not only lighten your workload but also help keep the little things organized.

Selling the Product

Prepare your students and parents by telling them about the program and the key selling points for the products. You might even consider writing out a sample sales pitch to pass out. Give your sellers some tips on how to get past objections and how to use gentle persistence; no need to be pushy but ask them to get past the first no. Ask your students to practice their sales pitch a couple of times before the campaign kicks off. They'll find that it builds confidence in their approach which will translate into better success for them. It also helps if the students can answer questions regarding what the money will go towards and about when you are expecting to wrap up the fundraiser and receive the products.

Fundraising Feedback

Take time to listen to your students and parents as they tell you how the donors are responding to the campaign. Do they like the product? What questions are being asked the most? Go to the most experienced sellers, the ones that have done several campaigns with you and ask what they see. The feedback from your team can help streamline your fundraising and push it to new heights.

Keeping Motivated

It might be a good idea to meet half way through the campaign to regroup. Answer questions and let everyone know how sales are progressing. Advertise your ongoing sales at the school using a Fund Thermometer or with PA announcements. Keeping the fundraiser fresh in your student's and parent's minds will ensure that they don't simply forget that they are supposed to be selling!

These steps will take you from the organization of your fundraising campaign the execution. In part 2 we'll look at the details o wrapping up your fundraiser.

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Jolian Grant is owner and operator of http://www.justfundraising.com.He has over 16 years experience helping schools,churches and youth groups acheive their fundraising goals. To date Jolian has helped raise over 45 million dollars for charitable causes.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/learn-leadership-and-management.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/learn-leadership-and-management.html Sat, 30 May 2009 07:26:58 -0500 leadership books, keynotes other chooses to attend workshops and seminars and these ideas are quite beneficial for leaders and managers

If you want to be a successful manager, first and foremost thing you should know is to accept the reality about your self, whether agreeable to you or not, it is important to know how other perceives you as a leader or mangers, and try to match with expectation of good leader.
Treat your employee with respect and trust: Your employees work for you, it did not give you the authority over them treat them with equality and respect, trust your staff, it is a vital component of the leadership it is your trust that make your employee an asset for the organization.
Be a good listener, it is the characteristic feature of successful leadership; always playing the role of solution provider can be harmful try to be a good listener first.
A leader is successful if his team is successful, your victory is not yours, share it with your team mate, it was their effort that make you a successful leader, never forget to acknowledge their contribution in your success.
Try to make working environment light and easy, a blend of humor in your working strategies will help your employee in giving their best rather in pressurized in tensed situation.
Be friendly with your employee, let them know their real boss, not the one who is trying to be the boss, the genuineness and originality in your behavior is very much needed for the successful leadership.
Read leadership articles and motivational writing to keep your morale high and keep your self updated.



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Sharpen your leadership skills with www.jimclemmer.com, read Management leadership books, keynotes participate in workshops and learn more about develop leadership management skills.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/balance-the-final-frontier.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/balance-the-final-frontier.html Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:24:47 -0500
Many of us spent much of our lives achieving goals, making promises, and being in service to others. Now years later, instead of receiving recognition for our extra efforts, we find we are still being over-worked, stressed out and looking for a way to hide from the world.

I was developing a new business several years ago; creating the context, work flow, and outlining the training for my Core Passion™ Power training program. I was doing all of my regular activities, meeting with several clients a day, working with my technology partner developing the web site, giving several talks.

WHAM! I was given a lightning bolt of enlightenment from the universe.

I found myself at the doctor’s office waiting for the test results of some very angry-looking skin irritations that appeared on my body. The doctor walked in and said, “It looks like you have been pushing yourself past your limits. You have a very serious case of the shingles!”

Well, I was dumfounded! Shingles. . . Isn’t that what people get when their life is out of control?

The doctor gave me some medication then sent me home to rest and to regain some balance in my life. She suggested I find a way to find some balance between work and health.

Wow, I had to take a good look at my life. I thought I was just doing what everyone else was doing. I took a good look at my schedule for the past several months. I began to see I was busy all the time. I had forgotten to schedule time for me. My dilemma was: if I am to finish all the things I have committed to doing, how could I have changed my schedule?

I began to make a list of the things I had committed to doing. I made a column for “like to do”, “need to do” and “I am doing”. Next, I made a list of all the people that I know who have expertise in the areas I was working on for my company. Now my next list was the most difficult.

What could I ask someone else to do for me? Hey, let me tell you, this brought up lots of personal issues for me instantly! How much control was I willing to let go of? Who would want to take the time to help me? How could I pay for this work? That and a lot of other concerns.

As I looked at my life with all the things I had promised to do, I soon realized I was way out of line with balance.

Balance has now become my Mantra. I am integrating balance in all aspects of my personal, professional, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life.

Once I stepped back and took a good look at my out-of-control life style, I could see why my body was rebelling. I had ignored the subtle hints of my family and friends that I wasn’t spending much quality time with them. I was so far out of touch with my body I did not accept the growing tension between my shoulder blades. I really was not taking the time I used to schedule for walking, journaling, and meditating.

Regaining balance in my life was important. The shingles that appeared on my body were manifestations of how out of balance I was. The body is an amazing thing, it senses when something is wrong and does its best to let us know. When we’re out of balance we stop listening to our body.

Now, I listen to what my body is telling me! Let me share with you some tips I have found effective in creating and regaining balance in life.

1. Make the conscious effort to CREATE your day. This puts you in charge of your day’s tasks. Do you have balance in your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life?
2. Spend time with your loved ones. My husband and I walk every day and take the time to enjoy a cup of coffee on our deck as we consciously plan our day. Doing things together with your spouse, kids, parents, or siblings can help put balance back in your life
3. Seek other people’s help. If you are overburdened with work, delegate tasks. Look for competent people who can take on the job. I have found several people that are experts in the various fields of focus that I am working with. A bonus came out of asking for help. Writers and professional speakers who have become passionate about my work are excited to learn and teach this program to their clients.
4. Take time to sit quietly and listen to your inner thoughts. In the morning, reflect how you want to spend your day. In the evening, reflect in gratitude how you spent your day.
5. Ask for balance to come in your life. Be clear on what you want, what you need help doing, and then ask for it. You’ll be amazed at what can happen!

-Lori Palm
Modern-day Muse

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Lori Palm and her husband Wes Hamilton are the co-creators of the Core Passion™ Assessment, an on-line validated self- assessment tool which measures your inner driving forces. Lori weaves the seen with the unseen to guide people and businesses in self development training. Find out more at http://www.corepassion.com. Lori can be reached at 612-388-9220.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/a-crafting-club.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/a-crafting-club.html Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:34:06 -0500
Running a tight household, I relied on myself to come up with creative ways to save a penny. My love of decorating combined with some good online crafting ideas, gave me all the ammunition I needed to start a crafting club. With a quick call to some of my close friends and a few neighbors I wished to know better, we set up a weekly time to meet.

Our process is quite simple. Every week one of us is in charge of coming up with a crafting idea. Using a decorating or crafting website, we always find things that we want to make. Whether for holidays, entertaining, or everyday items, it’s always fun to make something with your own two hands. The projects are cheap, and the payoff, rewarding.

Being indoors the majority of the day, we relish getting a few moments outside. With the help from a sturdy monitor, we put our sleeping babies down to rest and head out to the back patio. With only a glass pitcher of lemonade and a few snacks, we jump into our project. I have been amazed at the things we can accomplish when we are together. We laugh, share stories and have a glorious time.

I used to think that being a stay at home mom meant becoming somewhat of a hermit. Learning to respect my needs for friendship and socializing was a major help to the rest of my family. I have become a much happier mom and quite the accomplished crafter.


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The author Jennifer Stevens shares her experience about start a crafting club. Before 4 years she have learned that she still need that grown-up social interaction and she started a crafting club. Also she is talking about process of her club. For more information on Crafting ideas, Christmas crafts, free crochet patterns, free crochet hat patterns visits favecrafts.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>