Layout Image

Archive for June 2010

Leadership is not simply a plaque on the door.

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
Bob Holdsworth - Leadership

"Everybody wants the title..."

For many, getting a new title, a corner office, or more brass on their collar is viewed as a destination. Often the transition, the right of passage and the plaque on the door becomes an open invitation or an excuse to stop learning.

The truth about a promotion, if you’re a leader rather than a manager…is that the move up is simply a new beginning which creates an entirely new level of responsibility and opportunity.  A serious student of business and leadership NEVER stops learning, asking questions, and honing their craft.

Leadership is a craft, an art, and a noble occupation.  For some it’s a lifelong aspiration. For others simply a path to their version of success.

My wife has a great saying, “Everybody wants a paycheck, but not everybody’s willing to work!”   In the realm of leadership, the correlation is “Everybody wants the title, but not everybody’s willing to take on the responsibility.”

I’ve been fortunate, my career in leadership began more than 30 years ago.  I’ve had great mentors, role models and coaches along the way.   They all taught me their version of two extremely valuable lessons.  First, never stop learning and second, never ever forget where you came from. Read More→

Opportunity's Knocking

My in box is full…again.   Affiliate offers, joint venture deals, ‘greatest ever’ product reseller programs, credit card affiliate programs and of course everybody, including me, has products to sell.  Do you ever feel overwhelmed?

I find myself deleting, turning down, opting out of lots of these offers every day.  Many are from people I’ve never heard of and can’t find on the internet or Google.   If I can’t find you, research you and determine what people are saying about you, you probably have a little chance of making it through my well-tuned hype detector.

The other critical reason to turn down these offers is that they are not complimentary to your core business. Don’t confuse your clients with offers that don’t make sense.  Read More→

When it’s not fun anymore…STOP!

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Bob Holdsworth - Doing Life on My Own TermsHave you ever spent any time watching kids play? You should, even if you have to borrow them from the neighbors for a few hours. Kids tend to make a game out of just about anything, playing with toys, the boxes that they come in or anything found lying around, not to mention the great imagination it takes to fly like a superhero draped in nothing but a towel. Smiles, laughter, being engaged with others and truly enjoying themselves, we can all learn something very important from their example that will help us live longer, happier and healthier lives.

The most important difference between the age groups is that unlike all of us so much smarter adults, they actually stop or change an activity when it is no longer fun. B`cuz why? B`cuz it has lost its appeal, its ability to be intellectually stimulating or because something with the potential to be even more interesting has attracted their attention. Read More→

Be a 30-second hero…everyday.

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Do you like recognition? Well, so do your staff members, vendors and even the barista at your local coffee shop. Everyone wants to be recognized for a job well done.

Most business people can more easily find fault with the people they supervise or interact with than a reason to praise. However, setting a tone in an organization is more easily done through praise. We all want to avoid unpleasantness in our lives, in fact, I’ll bet you’re like me and while you won’t shrink away from a confrontational situation, you’d rather not add one into your day.

I make it a point to look for the positive things whenever I can and pay a compliment, say thank you, even ask for a salesperson’s manager and pay a compliment on a job well done…rare these days. Read More→