How to Assess Your Leadership Skills

INC.COM ...Expand your circle. Networking is critical to being an effective leader. It can come in the form of professional peer groups like industry associations or community involvement at, say, your local Parent Teacher Association. “Practicing leadership in a variety of settings and observing leaders in a variety of settings will enhance leadership skills,” says Ebner.

Don’t overlook peers as an important group with whom to network, either. “As you progress professionally, so do your peers,” points out Ebner. “By investing in these relationships and getting to know others at a similar level of responsibility and authority, you are building a community of colleagues who care about you and your success.”

Another networking tip: The aspirational—or “stretch” lunch. One of Ebner’s coaching clients regularly invites leaders she admires for a bite, and focuses on talking with them about their lives, careers, and goals. She even follows up with ideas, articles, or an intro to someone relevant she knows. But she holds off on asking for anything. Says Ebner: “Over time, the good will and relationships from these lunches has led to a powerful network of people who are more than happy to support, advise, and assist her when the time comes.”

You Can’t Do It Alone

SUCCESS.COM “Today, we network for pretty much everything we need and desire. You might be a genius in some areas of your life, but you’re going to need others to assist you where you’re not strong. That’s where networking comes into play,” says Bob Beaudine, author of The Power of WHO.

“Each of us comes to a chasm in our business sooner or later that we can’t cross without someone’s help. Going it alone is like trying to speed walk on the moon. It’s hard to get traction. Conversely, tapping into your network is like walking on one of those people-movers at the airport. You just step on, and all of a sudden there’s a power underneath transporting you to your destination faster than you could get there by yourself. People are bridges you must cross to get where you want to go. They serve as catalysts. The value for business owners is that networking the right way can provide the power to help them achieve their goals a whole lot quicker than they could ever do it on their own."

Announcing...

...the new Regional Director of Minnesota

ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA Micki Spors is no stranger to hard work and high achievement. She has been with Mary Kay for 13 years and a sales director for 11, leading and training a team of what is now over 60 people. She identifies Mary Kay's company priorities as key to her success: faith first, family next, and career last. She has been married for 14 years and has four children ranging from 3 - 10 years of age. Micki grew up in Osseo, MN but has called Rochester home for the last 13 years. She is always up for enjoying a margarita and chips at the nearest Mexican restaurant and is excited to help Minnesota business professionals get plugged into a Master Networks chapter. 

"I am confident in the leadership Micki will provide to the Minnesota Region of Master Networks and am thrilled to have such a driven, talented person of integrity on our team."

--Chas Wilson, Master Networks President and Co-Founder

Master Networks is currently looking for Regional Directors across the country. Contact us if you are interested to find out more about this great opportunity.

Step One is Showing Up

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SCOTTYOUNG.COM: My roommate was trying to get in shape. He talked about the goal often, so I offered to help him stay motivated. However, on the day that we were going to exercise, he was procrastinating.

Finally, as it got later and later, I told him out of frustration that he said he wanted my advice, and, “Step one was to get to the gym before it closes!”

He laughed at my exasperation and we did go to the gym before it closed. Since then saying, “Step one!” has been an inside joke for whenever someone fails to put in the basic effort for a goal they supposedly care about.

It's All About Attitude

SUCCESS.COM  We are what we think we are—not what we appear to be on the outside. An absolutely essential ingredient for success is a positive self-image. The world operates on the basis of the law of attraction: what you are and what you think will attract corresponding conditions. If you have a negative self-image, you attract negative results. If your self-image is positive, you attract positive results. This may appear simplistic, but it is absolutely true.

Your mental picture of yourself determines the measure of confidence you bring to using your potential and working toward your goals. Psychologists estimate we use less than a third of our actual potential. By increasing your potential even slightly, you can make a sizable improvement in your effectiveness.

What are your thoughts about how big of a piece attitude has in your overall wellness both personally and professionally?