http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/interpersonal-communication-skill-5-super-tips.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/interpersonal-communication-skill-5-super-tips.html Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500
To do that, you’ve got to be aware of your own role in the conversation and be able to manage your own attitudes and emotions so that the conversation fulfills the agenda of everyone involved and does not get heated or over-emotional if difficult topics need to be discussed.

It’s not as difficult as it sounds, with just a few hints
and tips:

1. Body Language

Being able to read body language and being aware of the signals you are giving to other people is probably one of the most important parts of interpersonal communication skill - and yet it is often overlooked. More than half your message is got across without even opening your mouth!

Most people will never have thought about that, but their brains will instinctively process this non-verbal communication.

Your body language will really let your emotions show through, so control your anger, nerves etc so that you can speak and listen more effectively, rather than being over-occupied with how you are feeling.

Don’t worry, though - a lot of body language is common-sense. Holding eye contact for a comfortable amount of time, leaning forward and nodding occasionally are sure signs that the other person is listening to you, so be sure you give off these signals too - and don’t fake them!

2. Listen

You can’t expect to learn anything from a conversation if you don’t listen to it properly. Take the time to respect what other people are saying, no matter how ridiculous they
sound! There may just be a grain of sense in there - and even if there isn’t, it’s everyone’s right to hold a silly point of view!

3. Be aware of who you’re speaking to

Everyone is different and you will need to tailor your communication for the different types of people you are speaking to. Make sure you use language that can be understood but which isn’t patronizing.

4. Diffuse situations when you can

Always try to relive the tension if someone you are talking to is feeling tense and upset or angry. Don’t bite back if they make a negative or insulting comment. That will just escalate the problem.

So how do you diffuse a situation? First - don’t under-estimate the power of a few seconds silence. It allows people to calm down, reflect - and think of how they can move the conversation on more usefully. YOU may need to be the one that suggests you all take a break for a little while, to allow tensions to ease.

5. Help people out

If you can see someone is feeling awkward and seems not to know what to say, see if you can help them out - tactfully. Perhaps you may ask them a direct question that gets them
started. Or if they’re struggling for a specific word, perhaps you can supply some suggestions - or try another question to elucidate their meaning. This should hopefully
let them know that they don’t need to use fancy words to get their meaning across and allow them to relax.

Try these and you’ll soon feel more relaxed in conversations and be able to manage them much more effectively so you all achieve what you want to in the conversation. It is amazing
how much some simple tips can help build your interpersonal communication skill.

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Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. This report reveals the secret strategies all high achievers use to communicate with charm and impact. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: http://www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com/blog


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/loyalty-the-key-quality-of-business-leaders.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/loyalty-the-key-quality-of-business-leaders.html Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:39:01 -0600
To be a leader, a master of business leadership management - you must always be a student. To be always learning keeps you in the loop with your youngest employees and will help you lead your veteran employees to more effective strategies. Your people expect their leaders to be on the cutting edge.

New ideas and insights, new procedures and new methods whatever their source must always be welcomed and integrated into what you already know and what's already working for you and your people. Your employees gain confidence when they know you are on the case - learning, not taking what you've done well in the past as an excuse to stop stretching yourself.

In order to be a 21st century business leader you and all the other leaders in your organization must possess the essential qualities of leadership. And it is only through experience that these qualities will be born and nurtured until they become master skills.

Every article, every book, and every training course devoted to business leadership management and its development have lists that claim to be "the" qualities and characteristics of leaders. I will not argue with any of them - they are all important, each is more or less important depending on the specific business where the characteristics are found.

If there is one characteristic of leadership that all gurus, experts, authors, and academics will agree on - it's loyalty. Above all a leader must be loyal. Loyalty to the mission, loyalty to your bosses, loyalty to your direct reports, and loyalty to your peers.

That loyalty is a critical element is not in doubt - however being loyal does not mean we should not disagree with one another. Disagreement is not the same as disloyally. In fact the most loyal followers are those who disagree with their leaders and openly discuss their points of disagreement until a consensus is reached - one the followers and the leader can agree on and wholeheartedly endorse.

A follower who, in the best interests of the organization disagrees with the leader is someone to be listened to. That person embodies the notion that open discussion is allowed - that all relevant points of view are considered and that while a business organization might not be run like a true democracy, this one is closer to it than most.

Leaders must demonstrate loyalty by welcoming that discussion, by taking the input of their followers seriously and considering opinions other than their own. And not just the leaders in the Board room - this also applies to leaders whose business leadership management takes place on the shop floor or in the sales manager's office. They must also encourage discussions between themselves and their subordinates.

The old days of "my way or the highway" are long gone in theory. It is up to leaders at every level of the organization to make sure theory and practice are one and the same in their workplace.

On the other hand, an employee - no matter how low or high in the pecking order, who takes part in or encourages others to take actions that are not in the best interest of the organization should be fired. That person's ability to influence and as a result discourage loyal employees, managers, and executives is contagious.

It is a disease that will, left untreated cause the death of the organization. No one can serve two masters. The malcontent is more likely to be closer to the people being influenced that you are. No matter who this person is they must be removed and removed quickly.

It is essential to the health and prosperity of the business that the leaders at every level possess the skill, ability, attitude, and loyalty that will enable them to successfully carry out their responsibilities for the good of the organization as a whole.

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Business leadership management is discovering and creating opportunities and meeting challenges others have not addressed. It is motivating your people, making informed, tough decisions for your organization, and accepting responsibility for the consequences of your actions. Business leadership management is the ability to inspire people and to give them the motivation to surpass their own limits to reach a common objective.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/conversation-questions-easy-solutions-that-work-like-magic.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/conversation-questions-easy-solutions-that-work-like-magic.html Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Good conversations are like tennis matches, with plenty of to and fro. Questions are a really important part of that.

You can ask questions for various reasons in a conversation:

Questions to start conversations
Questions to get to know people
Questions to clarify understanding
Questions to bring in quiet people
Questions to progress the conversation
Questions to make sure there’s a next time

and so on. Questions are really useful things!

Let’s have a look at each of those in turn:

Questions to start conversations
1. Have you been here before?
2. I wonder what the tutor will be like?
3. I like your (item of clothing, hairstyle, decor etc) - where did you get it?
4. Have you had to travel far to get here?
5. So you have a child in the show?…

And so on, you get the idea. Latch on to what strikes you immediately about the situation you’re in and ask question which invites the other person to respond with a comment
that is more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Some of the above questions are closed questions - but since they are about topics which evoke strong feelings - like children and travel - they are not likely to be met with one-word answers. There are no hard and fast rules here - relax and enjoy the conversation.

Questions to get to know people better

1. Do you live around here?
2. How do you know our hosts?
3. Are you here with your family?
4. What are your hobbies?
5. Have you read any good books/been to any good movies
recently?

Questions to clarify understanding. These are useful to avoid misunderstanding which can
either cause tension as you comment on something in an inappropriate way as you didn’t understand - or you feel too out of your depth to contribute to the conversation at all.

When in doubt - ask! Something simple like,

“Excuse me - I didn’t quite understand that,” will do.

Questions to bring in quiet people. Make it easy for quite people to join in a conversation by asking them direct questions by name, but don’t make it obvious you feel they’re quiet.

“Oi! Have you lost your tongue?” won’t work nearly as well as something like”You went to that restaurant too, didn’t you? What was it like?”

Questions to progress the conversation. These build on the topic you’re already talking about and take the conversation into greater depths - and so make them more interesting.

For instance, if you’re talking about sport, you could ask:

“You support ____ don’t you?”…”What did you think to their last game with ___ “…”What do you think to their chances of winning ___ this season?”

You get the idea, I’m sure.

Questions to make sure there’s a next time. Oh these are goodies! You’ve enjoyed talking to the person and you want to see them again. It doesn’t have to be a date, just a continuation of a friendship.

You’ve probably got to know a little about the other person’s interests by then, so your question could focus on what you have in common.

If you’re stuck, though - “How about we meet up for coffee at the weekend?” is always a good question.

So - whatever stage of the conversation or however well you know the person, conversation questions will always help to smooth things along and get you where you
want to be in talking to someone.

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Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. This report reveals the secret strategies all high achievers use to communicate with charm and impact. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: http://www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com/report.htm


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/keeping-your-leadership-fresh.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/keeping-your-leadership-fresh.html Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0600
1. Learning As You Go. The challenges of facilitation are also its joys: knowing that sometimes it will work and sometimes it won't; knowing that each session is a learning experience for you as well as the group; keeping yourself open to possibilities that can surprise as well as disappoint.

• keep your groupwork fresh. Now and again change the way you do things.
• take risks with materials and see what happens
• have confidence in your intuitive side throughout groupwork
• keep an eye out for material from everyday life: the home, the family, your social life
• be a continuous learner yourself
• be childlike in your curiosity
• aim for your own natural style to come through
• aim to enjoy each experience of groupwork.

2. Lighten Up. Adding perspective and a touch of light-heartedness to each experience of groupwork can guard against the enemies of facilitation: being too serious, forcing things and trying too hard.

Lightening up does a number of things:
• it reminds you that the role of helper is basically one of common sense and wisdom, not intellectual knowledge
• it helps you not to take yourself too seriously
• it reflects the gentle approach that is the hallmark of facilitation
• it helps put bad experiences down to experience
• it allows us to accept the value of all types of human behaviour, including clowning around and having fun.

"The first thing most people say when they get to Heaven is "Why was I so serious?"." (Old Red Indian saying)

3. Be Open to Surprises. The "I've-seen-it-all, done-it-all" attitude of some experienced facilitators not only leads to staleness in groupwork; it also makes you miss the delight of being surprised in life.

• don't take anything about groupwork for granted
• keep a childlike wonder for the possibilities around you
• have respect for each session of groupwork as a unique event in itself
• don't become stale by sticking to routines
• be willing to learn, to take risks and to abandon all your plans if the moment requires it.

"It is exceedingly important that a man should allow himself to be surprised in daily life: that he not be habit-bound or jaded; that he always have a sense of wonder about his life and the lives and words, gestures and images of others. One must always be ready for surprises." (Joseph Zinker)

4. Take Nothing as Read. Facilitation is a style of group leadership that aims to empower those who are led. It doesn't direct; it doesn't prescribe; it doesn't demand; it doesn't use worked-out solutions. It engenders healthy scepticism.

"Do not believe in what you have heard; do not believe in the traditions because they have been handed down for generations; do not believe in anything because it is rumoured or spoken by many; do not believe merely because a written statement of some old sage is produced; do not believe in conjectures; do not believe in that as truth to which you have become attached by habit; do not believe because of the authority of your teachers and elders. After observation and analysis, when it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and gain of one and all, then accept it, practice it and live up to it." (The Buddha 568-488BC)

5. Process Not Outcomes. One of the most valuable lessons of the facilitative approach to groupwork is that it focuses on the value of process, not outcomes. In control groups and manipulated groups, the group leader only wants people to arrive at their solutions and existing answers. Anything else is "off-script". But rushing to pre-ordained goals has no value for people. Wisdom, fun, and creativity come from the journey, not the destination.

"The honey doesn't taste so good once it is being eaten, the goal doesn't mean so much once it's been reached; the reward isn't so rewarding once it's been given...That doesn't mean the goals we have don't count. They do, mostly because they cause us to go through the process, and it's the process that makes us wise, happy or whatever. If we do things in the wrong sort of way, it makes us miserable, angry, confused and things like that. The goal has to be right for us and it has to be beneficial, in order to ensure a beneficial process. But, aside from that, it's really the process that's important. Enjoyment of the process is the secret that erases the myths of the Great Reward..." (Benjamin Hoff: "The Tao of Pooh")

© Eric Garner, ManageTrainLearn.com 2009


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Eric Garner is Managing Director of ManageTrainLearn, the site that will change the way you learn forever. Download free samples of the biggest range of management and personal development materials anywhere and experience learning like you always dreamed it could be. Just click on ManageTrainLearn and explore.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/embrace-entrepreneurship-five-solid-reasons-to-become-a-home-based-business-entrepreneur.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/embrace-entrepreneurship-five-solid-reasons-to-become-a-home-based-business-entrepreneur.html Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
1. Opportunity for Unlimited Income
2. Overcome Fear
3. Personal Growth
4. Empowerment
5. Enhance the Lives of Others

Opportunity for Unlimited Income

Life is full of opportunity if we allow ourselves to welcome it. New ideas and direction come to us each and every day of our lives. Often we don't have much time to think about opportunity that could enhance our life and greatly improve quality of life for others. We are so caught up with our everyday shuffle. Rather than consuming life, life seems to be consuming us.

Working from home as a home-based business entrepreneur offers many advantages worth considering. Unlimited income potential, tax benefits, working when you choose and with whom are just a few. There are numerous companies within the home based business industry (also referred to as the Direct Sales Industry, Network Marketing Industry, Multi-Level Marketing Industry) that offer unique products and services to choose from. These products and/or services can become a vehicle to create substantial residual walk-away income - income without a ceiling that can lead to full income replacement and well beyond. Being your own C.E.O. and earning income for you rather than for a Corporate dynasty with limited personal and financial advancement, is unthinkable for some and a reality for many.

Sound enticing? Take a little time to explore the booming home-based business industry. Say Yes to opportunity. Yes to your entrepreneurial calling. Accept challenges along the way. Enhance your life and the lives of others.

Embrace opportunity and start creating your own future.

Overcome Fear

Overcoming Fear allows us to move forward. Fear is a very big and challenging obstacle for many, especially women. Entrepreneurship within the home-based business industry is the perfect vehicle for assisting us in letting go of fear. Numerous resources and support within the industry abound to assist in overcoming this obstacle. Overcoming fear builds strength and a strong foundation for momentum.

Embrace your fear and experience the joy of letting go.

Personal Growth

Entrepreneurship naturally brings out personal growth. Many people in the home-based business industry summarize success in two words - Personal Development. Numerous resources are available to assist in this area.

Self-confidence and self-esteem issues, common for women, will strengthen into building blocks for leadership skills. Success is the outcome of personal growth. The joy along the way is rewarding, will be noticed by others and attract many to your business.

Learn how to get out of your own way. If you find yourself in a place in life where you are ready to receive, learn, willing to grow, the home-based industry is the perfect vehicle. It encourages you to work on yourself, and commit to lifelong learning.

Embrace desire for growth. Embrace your own personal development.

Empowerment

Taking control of your own life is very empowering. Time freedom and financial freedom allow you to create and live life on your own terms. Thinking 'outside of the box' is a common mindset within the home-based business industry. Owning your days, your future, thinking big and dreaming big are frequent topics of discussion. Empower yourself - a shift in mindset towards building your own future can change the quality of your life.

Embrace life, your dreams, and your freedom.

Enhance the Lives of Others

Enhancing the lives of others by helping others along the way is often the most rewarding aspect of building a business within the home-based business industry. For women, we are nurturers in our own way just by being women. Eighty percent of the people within the home-based business industry are women. As we build our business, we have an opportunity to take others with us, build cohesiveness and assist them in achieving personal and financial goals. Network marketing is relational marketing. Making new friends and building lifelong relationships is the core of our business. Unlimited abundance naturally follows for those with vision, belief and persistence. Impacting others makes a difference on a personal, community and global level.

Embrace your ability to make a difference. Abundance will follow.

Have Faith in Yourself.

Believe in your Dreams.

Become a Home-Based Business Entrepreneur.





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Businesswoman, Friend, Collaborator, and Team player, Cheryl Neithercott fills her Entrepreneurial Calling by offering a great service that enriches the lives of others. Together with other fellow BraveHeart Community members, her goal is to empower Women to be multi-dimensional success stories and inspiration to others. Be Sure to Visit: Be a BraveHeart Woman

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/creating-solutions-to-problems-manifesting-solutions-to-your-problems-and-pressures.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/creating-solutions-to-problems-manifesting-solutions-to-your-problems-and-pressures.html Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:12:13 -0600
Why do you have problems and pressures? You have problems and pressures because you often deal with personalities and negative emotions instead of with the highest in each person or situation. When you expect the highest from a person, you usually get their highest and this will help you to manifest solutions.


You have problems and pressures because you need to support and love every part of creation: nature, the animal world, and humanity itself. Everyone wants and needs support and love but if you don't offer support and love to all, how can you expect to receive support and love?

You have problems and pressures because you need joy in order to lighten your daily challenges. Joy is the thread that carries your highest and most loving energies to all with whom you come into contact. Joy will help you to manifest solutions.

You are called on daily to use your discrimination-power. Discrimination can be something as simple as choosing a complimentary color for a business suit or as challenging as having the discernment to choose the next leader for your team. You want to be able to recognize the difference between making mediocre choices and making choices based on your highest and most soulful consciousness.
Have you heard the story of 'The Window'? Does this young woman have a soulful and discriminating eye or an eye of judgment and subtle prejudice?

The Window

A young couple moved into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging out clothes.

She said to her husband, That laundry is not very clean. She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash, the young wife would make the same comments.

This went on for about a month. One morning, the woman was surprised to see nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, Look! She has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her how to do this."

The husband said to his wife, Dear, I got up early this morning and cleaned our window."

What we perceive when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. Before making judgments or criticisms, remember to look with eyes of clarity and oneness rather than with a limited perception of what is. We tend to see what we want to see. Let us see through the lenses of our heart and soul so we can make the highest choices and manifest the best solutions.

Keep an intention to look for truth and to see with clarity. Make sure you think your truth, speak your truth and act your truth. It is not necessary to look at everything through rose-colored glasses all the time; however, one wouldn't want to look through an unclean window of judgment either.

Each problem is a force. We have to feel that in our heart we have a force much greater than our problem. One quality can manifest solutions to all of our problems a gratitude-heart.

Concentrate on solutions, not on problems. The more you think about your problems and pressures, the more you are caught by them. Invoke your positive qualities: inner peace and the feeling of gratitude, while looking for solutions.

Before doing anything, meditate for a minute. This will put you in a positive and expansive consciousness. You will feel more grounded, more confident and more powerful. You will be manifesting solutions to your challenges, problems and pressures with clarity and with ease.

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Rijuta Tooker is a certified health and life wellness coach and specializes in working with people who want to seamlessly combine their spiritual life with their every-day practical life. She helps people get from where they are now to where they want to go by guiding them to access and embody their inner soul-power, one step at a time. Click here to contact Rijuta Soul Power

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/how-to-be-an-effective-camp-counselor.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/how-to-be-an-effective-camp-counselor.html Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:05:03 -0500
With all these roles to play, how does one become an effective camp counselor? What are the things/ traits does one need to have in order to become an effective camp counselor? While there are no hard and fast rules to answer this question, experts have a number of tips to help aspiring counselor become effective leaders during camp.

Be a leader, above anything else. That is perhaps the first thing that a camp counselor must remember. And being an effective leader means being able to make sound decisions for your campers. Always remember to put your wards’ interests and conditions first. Some counselors fall into the trap of making decisions that will benefit their career goals. So when faced with a difficult decision, an effective camp counselor should learn to ask himself: Whose well being am I serving - mine (I get to be popular; I get to have fun doing what I want to do; I get to be with my friends) or my campers?
Get to know each of your wards as much as you can. Your campers need to know that they are important to you and that you want to get to know them better. It will be very helpful if you spend time at the beginning of camp to get to know who your wards are — their likes, their pet peeves and what different games each one likes. This will enable you to establish a special rapport with your ward from day one.

Keep your distance. While it is encouraged that you spend ample time getting to know your campers, it is also important to be able to keep a safe distance from them. Camp won’t last forever and it will help your ward if you don’t create such a deep bond with them — deep enough to make it hard for them to leave when the time comes.
Avoid a power struggle with your campers. Cliché as it may sound, familiarity really does breed contempt and this is very evident in camp. It is almost inevitable that campers and counselors will find themselves disagreeing on even the most trivial of things. When your campers “throw in the rope”, avoid getting into a power struggle with them. Just stay calm and do not let your temper get the best (or worse) of you.

Smile. Yes this seems like a very simple thing to do but when the pressure gets too much (and believe us, it can get very high), smiling will help. There will be instances when kids don’t get along and fight often or when the kids kept you awake all night, thus preventing you from getting a goodnight’s sleep. All these can help ruin your mood for the next few days. During times like these, it is important to remember why you signed up in the first place: helping campers have fun. Practice what you preach.

These are but just a few steps on how you can become an effective camp counselor. Take these to heart and we guarantee that you will enjoy your job as much as the kids enjoy having you as their camp counselor. And that is a reward in itself.


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Dov Shapiro is owner and co-director of Camp Chateaugay, located on Adirondack Lakes in New York.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/why-great-leadership-skills-training-begins-with-personal-leadership-skills-first.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/why-great-leadership-skills-training-begins-with-personal-leadership-skills-first.html Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600
Since I use photography to more effectively communicate concepts in my leadership skills training speaking programs, let me give you a photography analogy…

If you asked me what accessory I value beyond all others, what do you think I would say?

It's not going to be a flashgun, a certain type of film, or spare batteries. While these things are necessary, without the foundation of a well-made, lightweight tripod, you will not be able to consistently shoot great photographs. And, without the proper foundation, you will NOT be able to lead your team effectively.

The 3 Legs to Effective Personal & Organizational Leadership with Focus

Powerful Leadership Skill Training Leg #1: Creativity

Great personal leadership or leading with focus starts with building your creativity. Here's why…

How can leaders come up with new ideas if they are not 'seeing' or practicing creativity?

Without new products, new services or new procedures, an organization can't be competitive. Creativity is beyond taking a new way home from work or trying to be creative for the next 30 minutes. It delves into how you exercise your 'creativity muscle' on a regular basis.

You need a consistent source of new ideas that do not come from your normal surroundings. One way I practice my creativity is by automatically adding a half-day minimum to every business trip. I get out and 'see' my world. Practiced on a regular basis, this creativity outlet will add more character to each location and will also be the source of new ideas.

Employers can add creativity routines by establishing programs that cross-trains employees. For example, train your accountants to understand what it means to sell products or services.

Another way you can stimulate creativity is to provide paid time off for community work or have a local 'pet' project that gets a lot of attention. One of my customers, Lockheed Martin invests in the quality of life in the communities where their employees work and live. This strengthens community connections, involves learning new skills and allows for creativity to emerge

Powerful Leadership Skills Training Leg #2: Communication

Once you get a great idea, it's not good enough just to write it down. You need to be able to communicate it effectively.

How can you communicate your messages more effectively? Here's how…

Recently, I worked with the US Army Evaluation Command. I helped them improve the quality of their presentations given by senior leadership. They wanted new hires to understand key concepts and take positive action on them soon afterward. So I reminded them that powerful communications is divided into three parts:

Step 1: You need to refine your content by doing great research.

Step 2: Involve the audience by understanding them better.

Step 3: Rehearse your delivery, so your communications are congruent with your content. Make sure your ideas are simple. They have the most power. More employees and customers will resonate with simple ideas. When you have resonance, you set the stage for positive action.

Powerful Leadership Skills Training Leg #3: Life Balance

A tripod wouldn't be able to support itself or the weight on top without a third or stabilizing leg. The stabilizing leg is the life balance leg.

It would be a real shame if you came up with a great idea, communicated it in a powerful way, but weren't around to see your idea to fruition. The stabilizing leg of your leading with focus tripod allows you to see and monitor the implementation of your idea.

Life balance also reinforces a self-perpetuating cycle. The more you practice work life balance by spending time with your family, taking charge of your health, and getting in touch with a higher purpose, the more space you give creativity to emerge. And the process of leading with focus is able to repeat itself again and again.

What It Means to Lead With Focus

Remember, leading with focus is about 'seeing' the world with new eyes to get that next idea. It's about getting your ideas to resonate with as many people as possible. Leading with focus is also enjoying the journey that is your life along the way.

Isn't it time you started practicing leading with focus in your organization? Start practicing great leadership skills by enhancing your personal leaderships skills first.

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Leading with Focus Expert, Mark Sincevich provides managers, executives and high performers with powerful insight, opinion and practical information on leadership, creativity, powerful communications and work life balance. To discover how you can gain a fresh perspective, generate new ideas, sharpen your focus and create more business, get Mark's free Leading with Focus newsletter at: staashpress.com/newsletter.html

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/do-you-communicate-effectively-inside-your-company.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/leadership/do-you-communicate-effectively-inside-your-company.html Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Are you a team? Is your company an entity that operates smoothly, with everyone pulling in the same direction?

The most important thing is consistency. Does everyone understand your company vision? Who knows what the mission statement is. Do you have a computer usage policy, regarding what employees may or may not use the computer for?

Whether you are a one man band, outsourcing a lot of your services or a large company, it is vital to have procedures in place.

Let's take the small guy. He has an accountant, who does his returns. Is there a process in place to ensure that all invoices get sent out, all expenses properly accounted for, mileage and per diems claimed? Well there must be, so that the owner can effectively tell his accountant what he is doing financially in his business.

Check the following and see how you rack up;

Be consistent in what you say to all employees, across all channels of communication.
Make it easy for employees to contact you, without fear.
Respond to all contacts in a professional and timely fashion.
Track all communications, and ensure appropriate processes are in place to ensure appropriate action is undertaken in all instances.
Try not to allow fiefdoms to build up, and try to ensure that at least one other employee knows what they are doing, in case of accident, sickness or leaving.
Constantly check how you're doing and is everything working, by asking your employees for feedback.
In order to communicate consistently with people outside the company, you first must learn to communicate effectively inside your company. You may want to check if everyone understands your company's vision and mission.

Have a company cook book, which makes it easy for new employees understand your processes and procedures. For that matter it would be no harm for existing employees including yourself to read it and have it handy.

Just make sure that everyone, who will be involved with that forward order we discussed, is going to ensure that the order will be correctly shipped to your happy punter!

Your company is only as strong as its weakest link - but it is up to you to check the strength of them all regularly!



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This article was written by Peter Lawless, founder of 3R Sales and Marketing. For previous articles like this, visit 3R's Articles. Alternatively, subscribe to Success our free monthly Information Bulletin with sales and marketing articles.

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