CEOWorld Archives • Living to Lead

The Tripod of Success

June 18, 2019 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

Featured article by Dave Ferguson in CEOWORLD magazine. Reprinted by permission.

Several years ago, a movie called “The Pursuit of Happyness” debuted. It was based on the real-life story of Chris Gardner, a highly successful businessman who was once homeless.

It compellingly shows how one man and his young son went from sleeping on the floor in a public restroom to living a life of greater comfort, security, and success.

How does someone go from such dire straits to high levels of success?

It boils down to the tripod of success.

Attitude
Motivation
Willingness to learn and do the work

Chris had the tripod.

Was life hard? Harder than most can imagine.

Were the odds against him? Indeed, they were.

Was his dream nearly impossible, given his situation? Most people would say, “Yes.”

But Chris was incessantly driven to get back up every time life knocked him down.

Driven from within by a “never-give-up” attitude; and motivated from without by the desire to give his son a better life, Chris walked up to a highly successful businessman and point-blank asked him how he got there.

The man was taken aback. No one had the nerve to ask him that question before. But it got his attention, and in a good way.

One thing led to another, and Chris worked his way into becoming a highly successful businessman, too. There were nights he and his son slept in homeless shelters or on a public restroom floor, but he showed up for work each day, nonetheless.

His is one powerful story of how attitude, motivation, and a willingness to learn and work can change a life trajectory; and, what’s more, a family’s legacy.

People often say they want a better life for themselves and their families.

They are tired of just getting by in their career or business. Unlike Chris, they may live in nice houses and drive expensive cars; but underneath it all, they know they are just a few paychecks from homeless. Or maybe they are doing well, but dependent on one company or one client for the support of their family.

Think about that.

Does the thought concern you?

It should.

It is wise to diversify – not just your stock portfolio, but your income streams. This doesn’t mean you have to work 80 hours a week, either.

What would it mean to you to have the security of an additional income stream?

What would several income streams provide in terms of freedom and opportunity?

Conversations reveal that most people are concerned about the limits on their income from a job that may or may not exist for them tomorrow – and the limits on their freedom if it does.

There’s a better way.

Those same conversations also reveal key indicators for whether or not they will succeed. This is where the attitude surfaces, and attitude is a key indicator.

“Teach me how, and I will do this!”

“I will do whatever it takes because this is important to me and my family.”

“I need more income, but…”

“I want more freedom, but…”

These are clear indicators.

Surprisingly, many argue against the advice they have requested, saying it won’t work for them or they are too busy (or any number of other excuses). It would be like Chris Gardner asking the stockbroker how he got to where he was and then…walking away.

In two words, that is MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

There is a tripod of success, and it is this.

Armed with these three powerful tools, Chris Gardner created a brand-new life.

And, by the way, so can you!

Dave Ferguson is “The Leaders’ Coach”, an internationally recognized executive leadership coach, speaker, facilitator, and author. Are you interested in talking to Dave about coaching or having Dave speak to inspire and motivate your team? “ASK COACH DAVE” at 704-907-0171 or at Dave@AskCoachDave.com.

Leadership Island

May 21, 2019 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

Featured article by Dave Ferguson in CEOWORLD magazine. Reprinted by permission.

There is an infamous poem, often disjointly quoted as “No man is an island,” and “Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.”

There are many who have uttered these quotes without realizing they were the beginning and end of the same poem. But when you do make the connection, the lesson is profound: it is about the ties of humanity and the responsibilities of leadership.

No man is an island.

In these five words, John Donne powerfully makes the point that life and purpose are bigger than us. It is also a humbling reminder that when we try to be complete in ourselves, we are isolated and insufficient. We struggle to survive on limited fare.

It has been said that no great work was done by one person. Even geniuses like Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein needed the minds, hearts, and hands of others to complete their missions.

What does this have to do with leadership?

In a word…EVERYTHING.

Great leaders are…

Connectors

They realize they do not have everything they need to succeed in and of themselves. Therefore, they connect with the strengths and wisdom of others. The best leaders learn something from everyone they meet. They ask questions. They express genuine interest in people at all levels of the organization and outside the organization as well.

Catalysts

Leadership is very much about bringing two sides together and creating the spark that ignites effective action. A catalyst on an island remains unchanged. But a connected catalyst has powerful influence.

Caretakers

In the workplace, there are bosses, and there are leaders. These are very different people.

Bosses use their people to do the work. Leaders care about the people who do the work.
Bosses set their people up for failure. Leaders set their people up for success.
Bosses fire people and saddle others with the burden of their workload. Leaders develop people, maintain priorities, and balance the workload.

Bosses live on the proverbial island (the office with the door shut). Leaders thrive on the mainland where the people are.

For whom does the bell toll?

It tolls for you, the leader.

You are part of a powerful team where every person matters.

When one of your people fails; when a team member doesn’t do his or her part; when someone is not trained and equipped for success…everyone is affected.

The bell tolls for you to step up and own your leadership role.

Answer the call.

Give the encouraging word, have the difficult conversation, make the right decision, and equip your team for success.

“Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.”

Eight Ways to Motivate Your Team

March 20, 2019 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

Featured article by Dave Ferguson in CEOWORLD magazine. Reprinted by permission.

Consider these two types of calls to customer service.

Call Number One

A very unenthusiastic voice answers with a sigh. You explain your situation and ask for help in resolving an issue. As you ask questions, you sense that they are going through a checklist and responding with “canned” answers.

Ultimately, you are met with a response such as, “We can’t help you with that. You will need to call [another company or another department or another time].”

Or they may say, “This works for us. It should be working for you as well.”

Only you know it is not working. They offer no further alternatives, and then utter these infamous words: “Is there anything else I can help you with today?”

Now, in your mind, you know they did not help you with your first request; and you know they do not really want to help you with anything else. So, you hang up the phone, exasperated.

You are now an unhappy customer.

Call Number Two

“Hello, this is ABC Company, Joe speaking, how may I help you today?”

Joe’s professionalism and enthusiasm are immediately apparent. His energy sets a positive tone for the conversation.

You explain your situation. Joe listens intently. He confirms his understanding of your request and begins to find a resolution. If it is within his ability, Joe will take care of it immediately. He may offer a workaround if it is a custom situation.

If it needs to be escalated, he will let you know, and then promise to follow up the next day with the escalation team and keep you posted on progress. He does exactly as he promised.

Joe does not give up until you are happy with a resolution to your issue. He has essentially partnered with you to resolve the issue.

Not only are you a happy customer; you now have a great deal of trust in the company, based on your encounter with Joe.

This is the power of the front line.

Companies spend a great deal of money on marketing and advertising. But how much has your company invested in its front line?

Why does this matter?

It is because your most valuable customer is the one who returns and recommends you to others. Why would you invest so much to get them and so little to keep them?

In a previous article, we talked about how important it is for leaders to motivate themselves.

In this article, we will talk about how you, as a leader, can motivate your team.

Make sure they are placed well.

It could very well be that the representative on call number one had the potential to be a good employee if they were placed in the right position.

For example, you may have an introverted employee who works well in a quiet setting, with minimal supervision. They may be a programmer, for example, or a very detail-oriented accountant. If you place that person in a customer service position, it will be challenging for them to stay motivated long-term. People drain their energy.

On the other hand, if you have an employee who is a helpful “people” person and you place them in this position, it will give them energy.

If you place your people well, you add energy to each individual and to the team. And they will convey that energy to the customer.

Own the responsibility.

While it is true that motivation must come from within, you as the leader must own the outside forces that feed that inner motivation for each of your employees. Place them in the right position. Provide an environment that fits them well. Consider ways to show that you care for them as individuals and not just as part of a corporate machine. Ensure they are well-equipped and trained for the job.

If your team is not motivated in their work, ask yourself if you are doing your part to spark their inner motivation.

Thank your team specifically.

When a team member does something well, be sure to thank them specifically for what they have done. Nothing is more motivating than to sincerely be appreciated for something specific.

Invite their input.

Company suggestion boxes have become the source of sarcasm and jokes. “Put it in the company suggestion box. No one looks there anyway.”

Sadly, there is truth in that.

Leaders often say, “Give us suggestions, send us your ideas, let us know your thoughts.”

But few of those are heeded. And it is not because they are not good ideas, suggestions, and thoughts.

A wise leader will ask for input and take action when it makes sense for the organization to do so. And then report back to the employee that you have done so.

Do you want to motivate your team? Listen to their input and take action.

View them as experts.

Leaders can get into the mindset of thinking only they and their peers know what the company needs to thrive. But a wise leader will take the time to get feedback from the front-line experts, and especially those who deal directly with the customers and systems of the business. While company leaders may be experts in areas like vision and strategy, these team members have expertise as well…in operations, accounting, systems, and customer-facing skills.

If you are only meeting with your peers, you are missing a wealth of expertise. Expanding your circle of expertise not only adds value to the organization, it generates enthusiasm across your team to know they are recognized in this manner.

When individuals are given the chance to contribute their expertise, they are self-motivated to do their best work.

Attitude modeling

There are times when lack of motivation feeds from the top down. For example, if there is a high level of customer dissatisfaction, there will likely be a front-line issue. If you look beyond the front line, you may find that a leader with an attitude issue is having a trickle-down effect.

Leaders are people, just like anyone else. Everyone has good and bad days. But as a leader, your people look to you to set the example. Keeping a positive attitude in the face of adversity not only motivates you; it motivates your entire team.

Take time for them.

Your team will give you their best effort if they feel a connection with you, the organization, and the vision. This means communication is key. Share the bigger picture vision and goals with employees at all levels of your organization. Working together to accomplish a goal is highly motivational.

Empower them to make decisions.

In previous decades of business, the hierarchal model was the accepted norm. Today’s business is much more collaborative. As such, it makes sense for you to give your employees boundaries of authority that are appropriate for their area. If they can help solve a customer’s issue, and they know they have some leeway to do it, they are more apt to be motivated and enthusiastic.

Is your team motivated to serve well? Are you?

Three Ways to Create a Legacy Management Plan

February 20, 2019 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

Featured article by Dave Ferguson in CEOWORLD magazine. Reprinted by permission.

Several years ago, a rebranding trend made its way into the financial world. “Retirement Planning” became part of “Wealth Management.”

There are numerous reasons this change was made, one of which was the perceived value it created in marketing. Another interesting reason was because companies began to realize that “retirement” was not always the goal; and that using the term no longer resonated with their more active and engaged clients.

What most people desire, at any given point in their career, is purpose and fulfillment. Managed wealth allows them to be able to do what they most desire to do.

The sad part is that most put off the idea of purpose and fulfillment for when they can “retire.” They treat it as a delayed gratification that is only available after decades of doing work that they do not enjoy or find fulfilling.

What if you could have both a rewarding career and purposeful fulfillment in your work?

The good news is…you can. In fact, there are more resources available now than ever to make this possible.

Let’s say, for example, that you want to retire so you can travel. In previous decades, travel was normally limited to short weekend getaways or two weeks a year. Now, however, there are millions of people leading businesses and traveling on a more frequent or extended basis. Technology and the nature of business has made this possible.

For some, making a difference in the lives of others is a compelling passion, yet they have little time to do volunteer work. As a leader, you have a major opportunity to make a difference, not only after your career when you have more free time, but throughout your entire career.

How?

You can make a difference every single day by serving your team. You provide income to families who need it, and help people grow personally and professionally. In fact, leadership done right is one of the most fulfilling professions of all. It creates legacy.

Consider a certain CFO who managed to create a highly profitable company that served a city for decades. This company provided employment, and also created enough wealth to give back to the community. The CFO traveled the world, negotiating deals with leaders of major corporations; but she also was known to frequent the manufacturing floor. Board members knew and respected her immensely; and employees loved and appreciated her for caring sincerely about their well-being.

As she approached her sixties, she began to consider retirement. But given that she had been with the company for decades, replacing her proved to be a challenge. So, she stayed. One year…three years…ten years more. Finally, she was able to retire.

Not long after, she passed away from cancer.

Now some may consider it a tragedy that she had spent so much of her life working, only to have it end so abruptly in the prime years of retirement.

And it would have been tragic, except that she had fully lived every year she worked. She didn’t wait until retirement to spend time with her family, become an artist, write a book, help others, enjoy nature, or travel the world. She did those things while she worked; and in fact, they were integrated into her life on daily basis.

As an executive coach, I meet leaders every day who are sacrificing other areas of life in order to have a successful career. The impact takes its toll on their health, relationships, and their own personal development. These leaders will someday come to the end of a successful career only to learn that they cannot pack a lifetime of purpose into a few short years of retirement.

While there will always be limitations of time, and no one can do everything at once; there are ways to create an intentional life, where you live your values and find great purpose in your life and work every single day.

Here are ways you can create purpose and find fulfillment across your entire life, not just when you retire.

Know your values.

This is foundational. If you do not know your values, you will spend a lifetime in search of an undefined vision. Take the time to define your values. It has the potential to change the trajectory of your life.

Have you taken the time to identify and write down your three to five values?

Intentionally plan each day and week with those values in mind.

My top three values are addressed daily, and I have ways of keeping myself accountable to them. This has created a great sense of fulfillment, which has also carried over into other areas of life. Failing to plan intentionally means you will fall prey to the intentions of others. You will be living their purpose and not your own. Do this long enough, and you will be at the end of your life wondering why you never quite got around to living your purpose.

Do you have a system of intentional planning?

Click here for a complimentary copy of the Playbook for Setting and Achieving Goals.

Live your values now.

As a coach, I can tell quite quickly if someone is going to reach a goal. If I hear the word, “someday,” it is a pretty good indicator that they will never reach the goal.

But if they say, “I am going to write a book. I will write for one hour each day from (date) to (date),” I know that I am talking with someone who is living with purpose and intention. They know their values, have set goals, and are creating a habit to support those goals. In addition, they have made a commitment for accountability. These are all great indicators of success.

Are you taking action NOW to live your values and create legacy?

In addition to your “Wealth Management Plan,” do you also have a “Legacy Management Plan?” Like any investment plan, you get the best results if you start early, make regular deposits, and manage it carefully.

Six Ways to Effectively Lead Millennials

April 18, 2018 By Dave Ferguson Leave a Comment

Featured article by Dave Ferguson in CEOWORLD magazine. Reprinted by permission.

Not a week goes by that I’m not asked the question, “How can we lead these millennials?”

I am to the point now that I generally just laugh at first and then quickly answer, “You lead them like you lead others.”

That usually gets me a blank stare and then some form of a follow-up question that usually starts with, “But…”

Sure, there is much chatter. And there are a lot of social media posts about this generation. But have you ever thought for a minute that maybe, just maybe, the only difference between this generation and the one you are from, is the media exposure?

Have you ever considered that it is all just blown out of proportion?

I work individually with several successful millennials, and I can tell you firsthand that I lead them the same way I lead everyone else.

Here is how you can lead millennials well.

1. Recognize that leadership is a priority for you, your team, and your organization.

Work on self-awareness. Choose to be a leader rather than a boss. Develop your own Leader’s Creed or simply use mine. If you set the standard for good leadership in your organization, your team (from millennials to baby boomers) will respect and follow your lead.

2. Engage and connect with your team.

Ask more open-ended questions and (this is key)…listen to what they have to say. You may actually learn something from their perspective, and especially as it pertains to automation, technology, and innovation in the workplace.

Get to know them better than you do now. Learn their interests.

Find common ground. For example, millennials tend to be very much about purpose. If you have ever talked to someone in their forties and fifties – and if you listen closely – you will hear the same desires for purpose in their work.

Find out what they truly value in life. Every person has a “why.” If you as a leader know the “whys” of your people and help them work based on those, you will seldom have motivation issues with your team. A good “why” is the best motivator.

Help them not only connect with you, but with the vision of the organization. Take them beyond the individual level to the level of higher and greater purpose. Being part of team with a clear and unified goal bonds individuals into one highly cohesive and very effective whole.

Make them feel like part of a team…because they are. It is important that each team member recognize value in their fellow team members. No matter what generation each represents, they bring perspective and ideas that are unique to them and valuable to the organization.

Be caring, but disciplined. It takes both to be a leader. Leaning too far in either direction yields the same lack of results.

As Teddy Roosevelt is credited to have said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Ensure that your discipline is done because you care. Your people will more readily accept it, knowing that you are only seeking to help them grow and be the best they can be.

This balance is a major difference between being a boss versus being a truly effective leader.

3. Drive results.

Teach, and show them how to drive results with you, not for you. Be a results-driven leader, and you will attract other results-driven people.

Set goals with them. There are instances where they may inspire your team to set higher goals than they would normally consider because they are accustomed to striving for higher levels in sports and technology, for example.

Develop strategies together. This is a great exercise for broader perspectives to combine forces. It often lends to new and fresh ideas for how to reach the goals you have set.

Celebrate successes and milestones as a team. When your team works well together and reaches a goal, every person wins.

Download and discuss your failures. This is a major lesson for those just starting into their careers. It lets them know that failure happens, that it is okay to fail because it means you have tried to do something. And if it doesn’t work, you talk about it, learn from it…and grow. In fact, and we can all attest to this, some of our most impactful life lessons have come from failure.

4. Develop others.

Make it your personal mission to help them develop as leaders. Lead by example and let them do the same. Invest in their development. Learn together, grow together, and create an environment that is a leadership development machine.

At some point in your career, this facet of developing others will become the most meaningful part of your legacy. And the good news is, you can start to build that legacy today. The opportunities abound.

5. Advance the vision.

Include them in conversations about where the company or department is heading. Ask them for ideas and suggestions. Let them know you want them involved in advancing the vision, through forward thinking and strategies.

This inclusion has manifold benefit: they will feel valued, secure, and purposeful in their work if they can see the greater good that will come of it.

6. Legacy

Most people think about family when they hear the word “legacy.”

And while family is usually our most impactful legacy, we also have an opportunity to leave a legacy to those with whom we work on a daily basis.

The fact is, you are going to have a legacy; why not make it one that speaks to developing current and future leaders?

When extensive training for leaders and teams is needed, an extended leadership program will give you and your team time to learn new principles, apply them in the workplace, and then review and refine for best results.

Living to Lead offers an innovative new option where you as a leader can lead your team through a 16-week leadership training program. We provide the tools you can take to your team for learning and application. With this option, you are learning and developing your leadership skills right along with your team. This gives you a chance to get to know your team and generate real solutions and ideas for your business.

To discuss and determine the type of leadership training and team development options that best fit you and your team, feel free to contact me at livingtolead.com/contact.

It boils down to the tripod of success.

Chris had the tripod.

People often say they want a better life for themselves and their families.

Think about that.

Does the thought concern you?

It should.

There’s a better way.

In two words, that is MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

There is a tripod of success, and it is this.

No man is an island.

What does this have to do with leadership?

Great leaders are…

Connectors

Catalysts

Caretakers

For whom does the bell toll?

Call Number One

Call Number Two

This is the power of the front line.

Why does this matter?

In this article, we will talk about how you, as a leader, can motivate your team.

Make sure they are placed well.

Own the responsibility.

Thank your team specifically.

Invite their input.

View them as experts.

Attitude modeling

Take time for them.

Empower them to make decisions.

What if you could have both a rewarding career and purposeful fulfillment in your work?

You can make a difference every single day by serving your team. You provide income to families who need it, and help people grow personally and professionally. In fact, leadership done right is one of the most fulfilling professions of all. It creates legacy.

Here are ways you can create purpose and find fulfillment across your entire life, not just when you retire.

Know your values.

Intentionally plan each day and week with those values in mind.

Live your values now.

Here is how you can lead millennials well.

1. Recognize that leadership is a priority for you, your team, and your organization.

2. Engage and connect with your team.

3. Drive results.

4. Develop others.

5. Advance the vision.

6. Legacy

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